Wangari Maathai Institute Project Grants Manager Job in Nairobi Kenya - - wPOWER Hub

Scaling up the wPOWER Hub at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies 

University of Nairobi

Position title: Project Grants Manager

Background: The Green Belt Movement International (USA) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans & International Environmental & Scientific Affairs (OES) to support the creation and scaling up of the wPOWER Hub at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies (WMI) at the University of Nairobi.

The WMI wPOWER Hub will employ facilitation, technology support, data collection and reporting, as well as handle the myriad logistical and administrative details needed for the initiative to function smoothly. 

The Hub will amplify the impact of the existing partnership and partner organizations, make it more sustainable in the longer term, and help raise the public and political profile of clean energy, gender, and climate change issues across Africa and globally.

Specialized trainings and wPOWER Africa and wPOWER India exchanges at the Hub will increase the business and technical capacity of women entrepreneurs related to clean energy technologies and solutions, including an understanding of linkages to climate change and reducing deforestation.

The Hub will empower women entrepreneurs from around the world by training on best practices on clean energy entrepreneurship, creating a platform for exchange visits with wPOWER international partners, and monitoring and evaluation of clean energy technologies in use within the network.  

The Green Belt Movement (GBM) seeks a Project Grants Manger (PGM) for the wPOWER Hub at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies (WMI) to be based in Nairobi, Kenya. 

The PGM will execute the program workplan, monitor program activities as well as financial management.  

The PGM will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the grant management process, including setting up  a performance management system (with performance indicators), submitting semi-annual progress and financial reports, coordinate and administer logistics of all trainings and exchange visits ensure transactions are in line with approved policies, understand U.S. government regulations and ensure project activities are in line with these.  

The PGM will be responsible for internal monthly program reviews to ensure the project is on track.

In order to achieve our long-term goals of taking concrete action to unlock women’s potential to combat climate change and increase energy access, and maximizing wPOWER sustainability, the PGM will pursue the following four strategic program components: Development of the wPOWER Hub and resource center; curriculum development; targeted training reviews, exchanges and partnership building on clean energy and entrepreneurship; and, sustainability.

Strong candidates will have performed served in similar roles and have extensive experience with U.S. government contracting rules, regulations, processes and procedures, preferably on clean energy technology projects in Kenya and/or Africa.

Specific Responsibilities:
 

Grants Management:

• Responsible for the day to day management of the wPOWER grant
• Administer and monitor grant in compliance with established OES policies and procedures and practices
• Review and analyze budget estimates consistent with wPOWER grant and program requirements
• Manage and account for the flow of wPOWER funds from GBMI to GBM
• Ensure compliance on the part of grantees with regard to financial, implementation, reporting, and other requirements
• Oversee grants management software and train others on its use
• Oversee and monitor program expenditures vis a vis the availability of funds
• Participate in fundraising activities as needed by fundraising team

Supervision

• Provide guidance and facilitate training as required for staff to implement successful projects and timely reporting
• Create and implement initiatives that improve team building and ownership of wPOWER programs
• Supervise and mentor project assistants, finance assistant and communications manager

Project Management & Monitoring

• Encourage the inculcation of WMI values (respect for and conservation of the environment, integrity, respect for diversity, professionalism, merit and excellence, transparency and accountability and creativity)
• Organize training and curriculum development workshops
• Support and ensure the development of work plans and annual performance plans
• Track project performance on a monthly basis
• Ensure monthly reporting and review
• Ensure timely donor reporting
• Facilitate and lead the development and implementation of the annual program plans and budgets.
• Serve on the Senior Management Team and contribute to the overall design and direction of the program

Project Communication:

• Ensure the establishment of regular communication with partner organizations
• Facilitate annual gatherings of wPOWER partners
• Manage flights, accommodation and all local logistics for guests of the Hub, ensure timely disbursements and requests for funds from GBMI-US, ensure timely accounting for all wPOWER grants funds, monitoring project tasks, preparing technical & financial reports, provides monthly project reports.

Program Reporting

• Conduct monthly reviews with the Senior Management Team and complete an annual wPOWER status report
• Prepare monthly project reports to SMT
• Facilitate the production of an annual report
• Coordinate with New Course on M&E progress

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, International Affairs or related field.  
• Experience in the area of clean energy technologies and entrepreneurship will be an added advantage.
• Master’s degree preferred; 

• At least 5 years of experience working in international development, with at least three years working in grants management;
• Extensive experience working with U.S. government grants including compliance with federal rules and regulations;

Other Qualifications:


• Demonstrated ability design, award and close-out grants of various sizes and types;

• Strong computer skills, as well as strong written/oral communications skills;

• Proven success in navigating complex and high pressure operating environments
• Ability to efficiently work in teams and coordinate between various stakeholders;

• Prior relevant work experience in Kenya or other African country preferred.

Enumeration for this position is competitive

To apply for this position, please visit the Green Belt Movement International Website (www.greenbeltmovement.org) and send your application to jobs@greenbeltmovement.org