Director of Grants – Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Lesotho II
About MCA
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. government corporation focused on assisting countries dedicated to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in people. In May 2022, MCC signed a five-year agreement (“compact”) with the government of Lesotho (GoL) aimed at poverty reduction through inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the country.
The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA- Lesotho), is an entity established by the Government to act as the accountable entity to implement the Compact, with the authority to bind the Government with regard to all Program activities.
Lesotho Compact
The Lesotho Health and Horticulture Compact aims to benefit 2.5 million people by growing, strengthening, and organizing the private sector in Lesotho and improving the government’s coordination to deliver critical services necessary to support private sector development.
It will achieve this goal through investments in Health System Strengthening, strengthening of the business environment and Market Driven Irrigated Horticulture, providing sustainable income for smallholders and increasing climate resilience by replacing rain-fed subsistence farming with irrigated commercial horticulture in select locations.
The GoL is committed to passing several key reforms that will help make this compact successful, including reforms that address gender equality, working conditions and worker safety, as well as land and water rights. All of the compact’s projects focus on overcoming barriers to the economic inclusion of women, youth, and the rural poor.
Objective of this position
The Director of Grants under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer ensures that all grant transactions are implemented in accordance with the MCC Program Grant Guidelines (PGG), consolidates and oversees all grant activities, and reports on the progress of these activities. The Director of Grants serves as the primary liaison between MCC, MCA staff and Grant Managers, and outside entities from a variety of specialized sectors on all grant activities. The Director of Grants also facilitates the smooth interplay between and among all elements of the grants process, inclusive of the key aspect of synchronizing the substance and process elements of grant activities.
Primary responsibilities
Manages all aspects of implementing a Grant Program in accordance with the terms of his/her position description and the responsibilities set forth in the Program Grant Guidelines, Grants Operations Manual, and other guidance as issued by MCC, including activities outlined below.
- Supervises the Grant Manager (s) or Grant Manager consulting firm, minimally starting at the Grant administration stage.
- Engages with the Sector Directors (SDs) and others within the MCA Entity early in the process to develop the Grant Program implementation strategy, identify appropriate Grant Award Procedure(s) and eligibility criteria, coordinates the Grant Requisition Note and gains approval of Grant Program in a Grant Schedule (as part of the Procurement Plan).
- Engages with MCC, as required, in the Grant selection process and during Grant administration and management.
- Approves all written plans developed by the MCA Entity for Co-Creation and coordinates MCC approval when required.
- Reviews and approves, as required, draft announcements for Grants, proposed solicitation documents for Grants and proposed total funds available for Grant Awards that are developed by the SDs or others to confirm consistency with the approved Grant Program, the approved Grants Schedule and the requirements set out in the PGG.
- Organizes and monitors outreach efforts and pre-Application workshops.
- Monitors all discussions, co-creation and negotiation meetings with proposers, applicants and potential grantees.
- Ensures that accurate Grant data is captured and entered into MCC-MIS.
- Monitors or conducts screening of Proposers and Applicants for eligibility by conducting eligibility checks of entities and proposed Grant Activities and assures that these checks are included in the Concept/Application Appraisal Report and Grant File.
- Monitors together with the Grant Manager that if a proposed subawardee to a Grantee receives most of the key responsibilities to carry out the Grant the Sub-recipient must meet all of the eligibility requirements, be chosen in a competitive process and its Capability Risk Assessment must be equal or lower than the Grantee.
- Supervises and approves the procurement certification process conducted by the Director of Procurement or his/her delegate.
- Liaises closely with the relevant SDs and other MCA Entity agents and consultants on all phases of the Grant award, administration, and management processes, including market research.
- Reviews and approves, as required, Grant Award documentations ensuring that all documents are accurate and signed as required.
- If cost share or leverage is required for a particular Grant Program, prepares the rationale for its determination and ensures that it is accounted for in every proposed Grant Budget (cost share) or Grant Project Description and/or Milestone Disbursement Schedule (leverage).
- Prepares Grant Agreement and ensures it is signed by MCA Entity and authorized representative of Grantees in accordance with instructions from Selection Committee.
- Supervises or reviews and approves, as required, reports submitted by Grantees.
- Ensures (in collaboration with the relevant SDs) that any branding and marking requirements of MCC funded assistance are met.
- Supervises or receives and processes any claims submitted by Grantees.
- Prepares and files (in coordination with the relevant SD(s)), the Contractor Past Performance Reports (CPPRs) of the Grant Manager, if procured.
- Supervises or maintains a Grant file for every Grant that includes documents created by the MCA Entity throughout the Grant cycle from planning through Grant implementation, along with documents and reports created and submitted by the Grantee.
- Supervises or manages the Grant Closeout Process with the Grant Manager, relevant SDs, and consultants.
Required Competencies
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in one or more relevant fields (business related field, international development, entrepreneurship) and/or other equivalent experience with extensive implementation and project management skills;
- At least 8-10 years of proven experience as a Grants Director or Manager, or similar role, administering a grants program with deep expertise in grant life cycle administration and compliance on policies and procedures;
- At least 5 years of experience in administration, operations, or management;
- At least 3 years of experience working in the region;
- Willingness to undertake regular field visits and interact with the different stakeholders;
- Fluency in English;
- Supervisory/Managerial experience is preferred
- Experience implementing grants financed by international organizations such as World Bank, MCC, USAID or UN preferred.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted on-line, on or before the application deadline 29 September 2023.
Applications should be accompanied by the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae containing detailed work experience;
- Cover letter confirming interest and availability;
- Soft copies of higher education and professional certificates (if available);
Only applications that come in before or on the application deadline will be considered.
We thank all applicants. However, note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Submit your application online via: https://lesotho-jobs.tenderwell.app