The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing an EU-funded project “Inclusive, competitive and sustainable value chain development in agriculture, fisheries and forestry”, a 4-year, multi-sectoral, multidisciplinary development project that seeks to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and more sustainable; reduce rural poverty; and enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems.

The Project is implemented through 3 components focusing on (1) improving the policy environment; data, research and monitoring; and governance systems in fisheries and aquaculture sectors; (2) strengthening the enabling environment for the forestry sector to help secure the long-term sustainability of forest management and to improve evidence-based policymaking in the sector; and (3) strengthening select food value chains through improved access to finance, inputs and services to support integration of smallholder farmers into sustainable value chains. The Project will be implemented in Zakarapattia and Lviv Oblasts, subject to possible further geographic coverage in the course of implementation.

Component 3 is underpinned by a Matching Grant (MG) instrument that will provide investment support on a cost-sharing basis to small farmers and value chain actors. This investment support will be complemented with non-financial support by linking grant beneficiaries to extension, business development and advisory services on a pre- and post-investment basis. For the MG instrument, Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) have been developed that outline the operational modalities, procedural aspects, and eligibility requirements for the grant programme. The SOPs foresee the establishment of a Grant Management Team whose function is to receive applications; evaluate them for administrative and technical compliance; assess applications and make recommendations on grant awards; and to follow up with grant applications, among others. In this regard, The Project is looking for a National Grant Analyst to support with related activities.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Representative and of the de-facto Head of the Office/Budget Holder, the National Grant Analyst reports to the Head of FAO Office in Ukraine (FAOUA) and operates under the general supervision of the Project Coordinator and the direct supervision of the International Matching Grants Specialist; and with technical guidance of the project’s Lead Technical Officer (LTO).

The National Grant Analyst is also expected to work in close collaboration with other relevant project staff and local stakeholders as deemed appropriate and functional to the delivery of responsibilities and outputs.

 Tasks and responsibilities

The National Grant Analyst will be part of the Grant Management Team and will be responsible for assigned aspects of the following grant application process flow:

• Review of agricultural grant applications using established criteria, procedures and checklists, from initial screening through the presentation to the Application Review Committee (ARC).
• Validation of information included in the grant applications through direct follow up with applicants as well as secondary research.
• Preparation of “key facts” memo for each grant application to be presented to the Application Review Committee (APC), and preparation of the minutes following the ARC meetings.
• Performance of standard operating procedures subsequent to the approval of applications by the ARC, including but not limited to, follow-up and assistance to the applicant for all requested supporting documents, equipment quotation verification, definition of the payment schedule, grant agreement drafting, and payment and equipment delivery monitoring.
• Monitoring the status of approved grants to ensure the full, timely utilization of all grants funds and compliance with the grant agreement through the provision of support to the M&E team and participation to some of the field visits.
• Reporting of all undertaken activities on the grant management system and contribution to related project reporting.
• Supporting the training and capacity development activities for the implementing partners in charge of grant applications
• Validation of all reviews performed by the implementing partners.
• Liaising with implementing partners on behalf of the Project, and monitor and evaluate the performance of implementing partners.
• Supporting the implementing partners in the launch of applications (Including the awareness campaign), as well as in the reception, screening and evaluation of the received proposals for investments.
• Participating in inspections and evaluations of investments.
• Other duties as deemed appropriate to support the functioning of the grant assessment process.  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree up to masters’ levels in management, accounting, economics or related field;
• At least 5 years of relevant practical experience in grant projects;
• Language skills: Working knowledge (Level C) of English; fluency in Russian and Ukrainian
• National of Ukraine

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills  

• Ability to take ownership and accountability for assigned processes and to work autonomously.
• Rigor and demonstrated attention to detail
• Quality of both oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to be an efficient team member

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION