Grants and Contracts Manager

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Pretoria or Cape Town- South Africa

Functioning as a central point of contact for all grants and contracts in CSA, the Grants and Contracts Manager project manages, oversees, and supports the end-to-end grant and contract processes. The position will need to develop effective business-partner relationships with assigned programs, donors, recipients, partners, and other key stakeholders to ensure that grant and contract management is performed efficiently and effectively.

Successful candidates for this position will have experience in procurement, sub-grant management, or other finance or business administration-related fields, the ability to communicate professionally across a diverse community of stakeholders, and to uphold the highest standards of integrity. They will also be able to apply their technical, regulatory, and compliance expertise in a flexible and agile manner.

Responsibilities

Project manage, oversee, and support the end-to-end grants and contracts processes including contracting (agreement signing and activation), implementation, monitoring and reporting, and close out.

• Conduct pre-award field visits, new grantee orientations, and kick-off meetings.
• Conduct due diligence, including financial risk assessments, security screenings, and validation of award data in systems of record; review and analyze all due diligence documentation to establish appropriate financial risk mitigation measures.
• Prepare grant agreements, contracts, and amendments; ensure the integrity of data in grants and contracts database(s).
• Review financial reports and supporting expense documentation submitted by grantees for accuracy and allowability in accordance with CSA and donor policies.
• Ensure all procurement under sub-awards is executed in compliance with prime donor policies.
• Analyze and resolve routine compliance issues.
• Develop capacity-building recommendations for sub-recipients and manage the implementation of capacity-building plans as required.
• Ensure reporting and award compliance targets are managed; progress tracked, and expectations communicated to internal and external team members.

Serve as a central point of contact for all grants and contract-related processes within CSA, coordinating and collaborating with donors, partners, and internal stakeholders to ensure that quality, time, and spending are appropriately balanced to deliver high-impact outcomes within the relevant compliance and regulatory frameworks.

• Develop respectful, accountable, and open working relationships with grantees and CSA Program staff, convening meetings, calls, and site visits when necessary to address performance, compliance, or reporting needs.
• Support the CSA MD and the Finance and Operations leads to ensure that grant and contract management systems meet program needs and continuously work in partnership with the CI Global and Africa Division teams to refine systems and processes to reduce organizational inefficiencies.
• Ensure that the assigned portfolio of grants and contracts complies with the prime donors requirements, with an emphasis on oversight of financial reporting, contractual compliance, and strengthening sub-recipient grant management capacity.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment
• Travel to other offices and landscape program delivery sites may be required.
• Ability to work extended hours or travel as needed.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.
• This fixed-term assignment is anticipated to begin in October 2024 and end in June 2025.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of a Bachelors degree or equivalent, preferably in a finance or business administration-related field.
• 4-6 years of relevant experience in a not-for-profit setting.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with procurement processes.
• Experience with government or multi-lateral donor rules and regulations.
• Ability to apply governance, compliance, and regulatory frameworks in a flexible and relevant way.
• Mature individual, with experience in navigating matrixed structures and working with diverse stakeholders to balance quality, time, and spending and ultimately deliver high-impact collective outcomes.
• Experience mentoring, training, and capacity building of staff, implementing partners, and/or recipients.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills, experience with working on Microsoft Office and specifically intermediate Excel, familiarity with databases, and cloud-based document management systems and collaboration tools.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in written and oral English.

Preferred

• Proficiency in one or more official South African languages in addition to English.
• Passion for, and experience in working with rural communities.
• Passion for and some knowledge of environment and conservation.
• Valid driver's license.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.