World Bank USDF Project Jobs – Grant Specialist at Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU)

Job Title:  Grant Specialist
Organization: Private Sector
Foundation Uganda (PSFU)
Project Name: Uganda Skills
Development Facility (USDF)
Funding Source: World Bank
Duty Station: Kampala,
Uganda
Reports to:  Project Manager
About World Bank USDF:
The Government
of Uganda has applied for credit from the World Bank towards Implementation of
the Uganda Competitive Fund for employer-led short term training (Uganda Skills
Development Facility -USDF). The Uganda competitive fund for employer-led
short-term training is part of the Skilling Uganda Project addressing
prevailing skills imbalances and shortages in Uganda. An important element of
the initiative is to facilitate collaboration between training providers and industry
to promote demand driven skills development with special attention to
innovative modes of training. The Fund is an IDA-funded project expected to be
managed by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). The grant component of
USDF aims at;
·        
Component 1: Supporting
training activities that lead to improved productivity and competitiveness in
the formal and informal sectors, hereby creating new income opportunities
·        
Component 2: Providing
funding primarily for the improvement of the quality and relevance of existing
skills systems
·        
Component 3: Prioritising
innovative new approaches to skills development with special attention to micro
and small enterprises.
Job Summary: The Grant
Specialist will be responsible for the timely implementation of  USDF in accordance to the laid down
guidelines and ensure the highest level of honesty, integrity and transparency
in processing grant awards that are geared towards enhancing the productivity
and competitiveness of the enterprises. He / she will also play a key role in
linking the facility to the ultimate beneficiaries.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: 
·        
Act as the first line of contact for potential and
actual grantees to equip them with information about the grant eligibility
criteria and operational procedures.
·        
Ensure that the competitive scheme for each window
under Component 3 is implemented on a timely efficient and effective manner
that is consistent with the established guidelines and procedures.
·        
Partake in the review of the proposals and ensure
that all proposals received are well documented and filed, including
preparation of all necessary documentation to enable submission to the
Technical evaluation team; ensure accurate documentation of results and where
necessary seek clarity from the technical evaluation team for purposes of
ensuring transparency and alignment to agreed principals.
·        
The incumbent will also participate in appraisal of
applications and preparation of recommendations and documentation ‘packages’
for the Grant Committee;
·        
Work closely with other implementing team members,
conduct regular on-site visits to a random sample of grantees to assess
progress of sub projects vis-a-vis agreed results, timelines and budgets. Based
on the implementation progress, recommend further payments to these consulting
firms if their reports are consistent with the findings on the ground by the
Grant Specialists. Otherwise, if inconsistencies are found, agree with the
consulting firms on concrete next steps to address these inconsistencies and on
evidence to be presented to the Project Coordination Unit to support their next
payment; and also identify potential problematic sub projects by emerging
challenges and flag them for discussion and identification of mitigation
measures to the Project Manager.
·        
Work in liaison with the consulting firms and with
the Financial Management Specialist of the Project Coordination Unit to prepare
quarterly progress reports on the financial and physical implementation of
Component 3;
·        
Routinely review and analyze documentation of communications
and reports in relation to the various aspects of Component 3;
·        
Submit regular briefs on the progress shown in
Component 3 to support the Project Manager to bring relevant officials up to
date on activities implemented, accomplishments, problems encountered and
solutions executed, with respect to Component 3;
·        
Work in liaison with the Project Manager to provide
potential grantee private sector enterprises and associations with guidance in
defining their skills development needs and help them  determine the training support services that
are most beneficial, practical and cost effective for their growth.
·        
Provide regular support to the Project Manager on
progress of the facility activities and potential areas for facility
improvement and promotion of the targeted beneficiaries.
·        
Participate in the competitive grant promotional
activities for private sector growth.
·        
Actively participate in the preparation of work plan
and procurement plan for the component which will include:
·        
Comprehensive reviews of all sub grantee work plans
and budgets including capture of inputs required for integration in the overall
sub component work plans and budgets; and
·        
Ensure the overall work plan for the sub component
reflects the comprehensive sub grantee work plans including capture of inputs
required in the execution of fiduciary duties of your position.
·        
Perform other relevant duties as required by the
Project Manager in line with program objectives.
Qualifications, Skills and
Experience: 
·        
The applicants should preferably hold a Master’s
degree in Business, Economics, Financial Management or related fields.
·        
At least seven years’ track record in granting
experience with donor funded programs.
·        
Working knowledge and experience in the
manufacturing, construction or agriculture sectors will be an added advantage.
·        
Comprehensive 
understanding and appreciation of formal and informal sectors in Uganda.
·        
Excellent analytical skills to be supported by a
sample of written reports.
·        
Excellent computer skills including but not limited
to MS Word, Excel, Project and Power Point
·        
Excellent writing and communication skills including
making presentations and public speech.
·        
High degree of integrity, versatility and clean
record.
How to Apply:
All candidates
are encouraged to deliver their application letters, updated curriculum vita
and photocopies of academic and professional certificates to the address below.
Please clearly indicate the position being applied for on top of the envelope.
The Executive
Director,
Private Sector
Foundation Uganda (PSFU)
Plot 43,
Nakasero Road,
P. O. Box 7683,
Kampala- Uganda.
Deadline: 13th May, 2016


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