Program and Grants Assistant

CTG overview:
CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.
Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.
Visit www.ctg.org to find out more

Overview of position:
Established in 1951, our client is a related organization of the United Nations (UN) & as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental & non governmental partners. They are dedicated to promoting humane & orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services & advice to governments & migrants.
A multi year, multi donor initiative, the Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM) aims to increase state presence & community resilience in remote areas of Benin, Ghana & Togo. The CSSM is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) & the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) & aligns with the US strategy to prevent conflict & promote stability & the GFFO’s concept on foreign & security policy strategy for an integrated peace, as well as regional & national efforts to prevent violence. The CSSM will be implemented by our client in close coordination with GFFO, USAID, as well as with communities in priority zones & designated counterparts within the host countries’ governments. The primary modality of implementation of the CSSM is a small grants mechanism.
Under the overall supervision of the CSSM Chief of Party, the direct supervision of the National Program Officer & the technical supervision of the Grants & Reporting Officer, the Program & Grants Assistant will be responsible for contributing to the successful implementation of the CSSM program in Benin.

Role objectives:
Provide overall administrative, technical & programmatic support to the CSSM’s program & grants team related to negotiations, development & implementation of CSSM grants.
Identify, develop & track grant ideas & approved grant activities in assigned areas of program implementation.
Negotiate & draft grant agreements in assigned areas of program implementation.
Perform financial oversight of grant agreements by monitoring grant budgets, ensuring availability of funds for timely implementation & obtaining necessary approvals to modify budgets, as needed.
Keep abreast of local developments that relate to, or may impact, CSSM grant activities in assigned areas of implementation, in close coordination with the Senior Security Associate.
Assist the National Program Officer to coordinate the implementation & monitoring of grant activities in assigned areas of program implementation.
Retrieve, compile, summarize, analyse & present information / data on specific project topics.
Draft weekly grant implementation status reports that include challenges, successes & remedial actions for timely delivery & bring them to the attention of the supervisor.
Draft correspondence, briefing materials & visibility documents including program reports, briefing notes, graphics or tables, presentations, newsletters, talking points, meeting minutes & other forms of documentation for CSSM’s stakeholders, in coordination with & on request of the National Program Officer.
Facilitate regular exchange of information with implementing partners operating in CSSM’s technical areas.
Organize CSSM’s events & ensure coordination with relevant government counterparts, implementing partners & other stakeholders.
Undertake regular duty travels to project locations.
Participate in meetings & coordination platforms, as appropriate & in close coordination with the National Program Officer.
Provide backstopping support to the ICT & Data Entry Assistant as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Project reporting:
This role works under the overall supervision of the CSSM Chief of Party, the direct supervision of the National Program Officer & the technical supervision of the Grants & Reporting Officer.

Key competencies:
Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, human rights, law, development studies, engineering or related fields from an accredited academic institution with 4 years of relevant experience or completed high school diploma with 6 years of relevant experience.
Experience working in northern Benin is a strong advantage.
Experience in project implementation.
Experience with USAID grants management is a strong advantage.
Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national / international institutions, UN agencies & non governmental organizations.
Experience working in international organizations, or a government is an asset.
Experience with infrastructure activities, including for example, small scale construction, rehabilitation, potable water delivery & small scale irrigation is desirable.
Experience working with USAID funded programs, preferably with OTI, is advantageous.
Knowledge of the structures & operating models of the host country government is a strong asset.
Understanding of governance & community resilience dynamics.
Knowledge of project management cycle.
Solid writing & synthesis skills & experience in report writing.
Demonstrated ability to deliver quality products under tight deadlines.
Ability to work independently & to be creative in obtaining & triangulating information from a variety of sources.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office package (Office, Excel, Power Point, Outlook), internet & email.
Fluency in French is required (oral & written).
Knowledge of English & familiarity with commonly spoken language(s) in northern Benin is a strong advantage.
Respects & promotes individual & cultural differences. Encourages diversity & inclusion.
Maintains high ethical standards & acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles / rules & standards of conduct.
Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent & committed manner & exercises careful judgment in meeting day to day challenges.
Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected & fairly treated.
Develops & promotes effective collaboration within & across units to achieve shared goals & optimize results.
Produces & delivers quality results in a service oriented & timely manner. Is action oriented & committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge & innovate.
Takes ownership for achieving the organization’s priorities & assumes responsibility for own actions & delegated work.
Encourages & contributes to clear & open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring & motivational way.

Team management:
This role has no team management responsibility.

Further information:
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.