Grants Management Specialist

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime. All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realization that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge. Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife. What we do We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. About the USAID Biodiversity Conservation program The “USAID Biodiversity Conservation” activity is a 5 year-program starting from July 2020 to June 2025. The program aims to maintain and increase forest quality as well as protect and stabilize wildlife populations in five high conservation value provinces (Quang Binh, Quang Nam, TT Hue, Quang Tri, and Lam Dong). The program targets ten special use forests and at least five protection forests, linking forest management units across the landscape to maintain forest cover and connectivity of habitats vital for the protection of Vietnam’s threatened and endemic species. We are looking for a Grants Management Specialist, based in Hanoi, to support the Finance Coordinator and Chief of Party (COP) of the program. Therefore, if you are a Finance Professional, looking for a career filled with meaningful and diverse assignments to expand yourself professionally and personally, PLEASE JOIN US on this journey to protect one of the most important resources nature has given to us while advancing your development! You will be in charge of:

Prepare documentation for grant evaluation and approvals.
Prepare grants’ agreements, and ensure required documentation completion as per the agreement and ensure diligent follow-up on grant reports.
Review grant applications to ensure they match the program’s objectives and in line with the Grants Management Guideline.
Conduct pre-award audits of possible grantee organizations, in addition to audits during implementation and at close-out, as needed and in consultation with the Finance Coordinator and the Head of Finance of WWF- Viet Nam.
Monitor grantees to ensure they implement and administer grants according to the signed grant agreement and USAID regulations; Monitor the projected expenditure against their actual spend.
Monitor technical implementation of grants to ensure timely progress and according to submitted technical reports, proposed strategy and work plans.
Be the focal point for finance, procurement & admin related matters for all sub-grantees/partners of the program
Perform all other relevant duties that may be required to ensure the overall efficient implementation of the USAID-program activities.
Provide monthly financial reports on grants budget to the Finance Coordinator and COP (i.e. expenditure reports by grantees (burn rates vs obligations, burn rates vs budget).
Prepare other ad-hoc reports as required by the Finance Coordinator, COP or Head of Finance.
Draft and develop a Grants Management Guideline for the program, and ensure USAID approval.
Update the Grants Management Guideline per current USAID regulations and obtain USAID approvals for all updates.
Conduct periodical meetings with finance staff of sub-grantees/partners to review the program burn rates, discuss challenges encountered and agree on solutions.
Conduct training as needed, such as for various potential sub-grantee organizations and internal program staff, etc.
Any other duties assigned by the Finance Coordinator, COP or his/her designee.

In order to be a good fit, you must have:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting or finance. A Master’s degree and/or a recognized accounting/procurement qualification would be a plus.
Minimum 5 years’ experience in USAID grants design & management or similar capacity
Familiarity with USAID Contract Management and Grants Management policies and procedures
Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices, financial reporting standards, financial management processes and procedures
Good communication skills, coupled with diplomacy, numeracy, and business acumen are essential.
Proven interpersonal and people-management skills
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
Proven experience of designing business processes, setting standards, or establishing operating policies and procedures is desirable, preferably in a project or program management context.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain clear lines of communication within a wide network of contacts is necessary.
Strong service orientation.
Experience of working in a multicultural environment.
An interest in conservation.
Strong financial skills, as well as a well-organized approach to work are necessary, legal skills in contract development would be an advantage.
Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging

How to apply: For detailed information about Grants Management Specialist Interested candidates should email a cover letter, curriculum vitae in English and scan/photo of diplomas/certificates to recruitment.vn@wwf.org.vn, stating the position title [WWF - 082020] Grants Management Specialist – Full name in the subject line of the email, by 31st August 2020 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. “WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.”