The Grants Manager will lead the design, coordination, and oversight of a grantmaking facility aimed at increasing access to finance for smallholders, agribusinesses, cooperatives, and value chain service providers. Operating under the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Food for Progress (FFPr) initiative, the role supports the implementation of inclusive and market-responsive financial mechanisms aligned with project objectives.

The Grants Manager is responsible for ensuring strategic targeting, partner onboarding, documentation integrity, and performance tracking of grantees across multiple intervention zones. S/he will collaborate with technical and finance teams to manage disbursements, monitor utilization, and uphold compliance with USDA/FAS procurement and financial protocols.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Grants Strategy and Design

• Develop grant program design documents, operational procedures, and selection criteria based on project priorities and target group profiles.
• Lead competitive solicitation processes, including call-for-concept development, applicant vetting, and grant award documentation.
• Coordinate strategic outreach to agricultural cooperatives, processors, MFIs, and input suppliers to stimulate participation.

Grant Administration and Oversight

• Supervise grant agreements, milestone tracking, and compliance auditing for all approved awards.
• Monitor implementation progress and provide technical assistance to grantees on recordkeeping, financial reporting, and procurement.
• Lead risk analysis and mitigation strategies to ensure equitable, accountable use of funds.

Partnership Coordination and Support

• Collaborate with technical specialists, local organizations, and field teams to align grant activities with broader program goals.
• Coordinate with MEL and finance staff to integrate grant outputs into reporting, learning, and verification processes.
• Participate in learning events and cross-country knowledge sharing to refine grant models over time.

Reporting and Compliance

• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports on grant activity, expenditure status, and outcome performance.
• Ensure full compliance with USDA/FAS grant rules, including eligibility verification, monitoring protocols, and cost principles.