Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector in managing their environment and natural resources. We have delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors, including countering wildlife crime, forestry, protected area management, climate change, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), economic livelihood development, community engagement, and institutional capacity building.

Project Description:

The purpose of this anticipated USAID Tuhifadhi Maliasili activity is to address dynamics that threaten habitat connectivity and the long-term persistence of biodiversity in Tanzania in a manner that: i) increases private sector engagement in conservation and natural resource management (NRM); ii) builds the capacity of the public sector and civil society; iii) strengthen the policy and regulatory framework for conservation and NRM; and iv) enhances knowledge management across sectors. This is an anticipated 5-year project.

Position Description:

RTI is seeking a Grants Assistant for the USAID Tuhifadhi Maliasili activity. The Grants Assistant will help provide support to the Tuhifadhi Grants Program by monitoring the grants process and procedures from inception to completion, including financial tracking, procurement of goods, and managing the filing system in compliance with USAID and RTI policies and procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation, effectiveness, and compliance of the grants program from design to closeout.
• Support procurement; financial tracking; monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) visits; and deliverable tracking for grantees.
• Support and participate in grantee kickoff meetings to ensure consistency and clarity on the technical, financial, administrative, and MEL aspects of grant implementation.
• Provide support to capacity building activities, identify capacity building needs, and develop individual institutional development plans for grantees.
• Support grant monitoring implementation and progress via frequent collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) feedback loops, site visits, bi-annual workshops, refresher courses, and a remote help desk.
• Support efforts to scale up engagement with partners and target new local partners through broad annual program statements and/or requests for application (RFAs) in targeted corridors.
• Support the management of a minimum of 10 grants per year, including multi-year grants with key local organizations.
• Coordinate with capacity building and other technical teams to prepare and monitor grantee institutional development plans.
• Work closely with grantees to meet targets, timeframes, and budgets and ensure compliance with USAID regulations.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, social sciences, or related field and minimum of 1 year of experience designing and managing grants programs for international donor-funded projects, including USAID-funded projects; or Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience.
• Knowledge of USAID grant rules and regulations.
• Experience in reviewing and negotiating budgets, reviewing financial reports, preparing for and monitoring audits of grantees, and file management.
• Experience in assessing organizational capacity and conducting capacity building trainings.
• Ability to work effectively, responsively, and collaboratively with government counterparts, development and private sector partners, civil society organizations, and academic/research institutions.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills in English.
• Ability to travel and work throughout Tanzania.

RTI is an equal opportunity employer. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. To apply, please send your CV to tuhifadhi_hr@rti.org and put the title of the position in the subject line.