Save the Children Awards / AMS Officer

Save the Children Awards / AMS Officer
March 19, 2015 Job Description
Job Title: Awards / AMS Officer
Position Code: AWD 002 SCITeam / Programme: Programme Operations / Awards Management
Location: Nairobi
Contract Duration: 1 Year
Grade: 5
Type of Contract: National
Child Safeguarding: Level 2 – The role holder is likely to have contact with children and/or young people, or access to personal data about children or young people, as part of their work.
Role Purpose: The Awards / AMS Officer will support the Awards Manager in leading all Awards Management functions.
H/She will play a key role in ensuring Awards management processes are effective and efficient. H/She will oversee AMS data quality and accuracy in conjunction with the Awards/ AMS Assistant.
Scope of Role:
Reports to: Awards ManagerKey contacts: Awards Finance Officer, Reporting Coordinator, Compliance Officer, Budget holders.
Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners.
Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya.
In February 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own. Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Nairobi, Turkana and Wajir.
We work through partners in many other parts of the country. We have a staff complement of around 300 staff and an operating annual budget of approximately US$20 million in 2015.Staff directly reporting to this post: Awards/AMS Assistant
Key Areas of Accountability:
When new opportunities are identified work with the Awards Manager to ensure that all documentation required as per SCI guidelines is managed in a timely manner and uploaded onto AMS with all relevant information filled in and checked.
Regularly update the Awards Manager on new approved opportunities, flagging when there are delays in the contractual process and making recommendations for remedial actions.
Directly link with the Awards Manager to ensure that all FS specifics are authorised by the CO and that Fund Summaries are approved for all awards before awards start date.
Support the Awards Manager to ensure that all awards cycle processes (opportunity identification to award close out) are followed through for all awards.
Ensure that files for all SCI and partners/sub grantees files are set up and updated with relevant documents, correspondences and reports at both Nairobi Office and Field office level. Ensuring adherence to the SCI Scheme of Delegation.
6. Work closely with the Awards /AMS Assistant and the Awards Finance Officers to ensure that awards are properly closed out in AMS with all balances fully reconciled.
Collaborate with the Awards/ AMS Assistant to ensure Awards management input in preparation and execution of Kick off and Close Out meetings by coordinating attendance, providing Award Summary Sheets and donor compliance information in coordination with the Compliance Officer.
Be the focal person for the administration of humanitarian and emergency awards by working with the Humanitarian Coordinator to confirm pledges, processing these through AMS and ensuring awards are activated quickly.
Be the focal person for partnership support on awards management by attending partner assessment visits. Additionally, contribute to relevant partner capacity building and compliance support including regular monitoring that systems are in place to ensure partner delivery meets donor expectations and requirements in collaboration with programme operations.
Develop the Awards team monitoring calendar and undertake field visits to promote higher awareness of awards management by carrying out orientation to the Awards Management Cycle and AMS while on field visits.
Support Awards Manager in donor related communications by drafting letters and supporting on budget realignments, amendments, cost and no-cost extension requests going to the member and donor in a timely manner.
Desired Competencies Delivering Results
Able to identify priority information and document it appropriately.
Ensures measures and metrics are in place to track performance in large and complex programmes
Establishes clear and compelling objectives with teams and individuals and monitors progress and performance
Holds themselves accountable for achieving results and challenges under performance
Working effectively with others
Works well with members of theirs and other complimentary teams.
Able to identify their contribution to the team and ensure that they meet their responsibilities to the best of their ability.
Problem Solving and decision making
Identifies problems and devices ways of addressing problems.
Proactive about seeking support and consultation on problems.
Provides an analysis of data and information to line manager for their attention and action.
Applying technical and professional expertise
Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organization.
Able to provide information to different groups in a timely and relevant manner.
Qualifications and Experience
At least 4 years Finance / Program Management and Awards/Grants management professional experience .
Degree in Finance with at least CPA I or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
Strong understanding of grants management processes in a complex organizational context within an international NGO setting.
Good interpersonal, written and training skills.
Excellent computer skills especially in MS Excel spread sheets and MS Word
Some experience with computerised accounting packages will be desirable.
Strong skills in database use and management.
High level of integrity and ability to work as part of a professional team
Proven ability to handle challenging workloads effectively.
Cross-cultural experience, understanding and sensitivity;
Willingness to travel to field locations.
Commitment to Save the Children values.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory Cover letter to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the Position Code on the subject line by 31st March 2015.
Due to the urgency of these positions, applications will be reviewed as when we receive them.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.