Overall purpose of the role:

The Field Grants Assistant will assume a crucial role in providing administrative, financial and compliance operational support to Deris Wanaag grantees in the relevant field location and actively contribute to project implementation alongside Area Leads. Additionally, they will assist the Area Leads in coordinating all project activities, including context monitoring, Monitoring & Evaluation, research, stakeholder engagement, policy support, and grantee oversight and support. This position requires strong financial and compliance management skills, organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration with both internal teams and external partners to ensure project success.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support the Deris Wanaag (DW) Area Leads with the oversight on implementation of the various planned grant activities this includes close monitoring of workplans, activities as well as reporting (financial and narrative).
• Support grants team to ensure grantees have complete, accurate and eligible supporting documentation for monthly expenses incurred.
• Support grants team in carrying out periodic spot checks to review financial and procurement supporting documentation for the grantee
• Assist coordinate any field activities that requires logistical support at the various allocated areas.
• Review the submitted financial reports and related supporting documents by implementing partners and coordinate with the relevant finance teams on any financial management issues identified prior to submission.
• Support the implementing partners undertake proposed actions highlighted as part of the capacity building assessments, spot check recommendations and the due diligence reviews.
• Perform physical visits and documents verifications for implementing partners to support the completion of the due diligence and capacity assessment process.
• Perform budget reviews on proposals submitted by prospective implementing partners together with the Area Leads to ensure that the financial proposal aligns with the technical proposals.
• Support partners on using and reporting on ASI Metrics Led (Grants Management System).
• Act as a field focal point on issues related to DW procurement policies, ensuring DW procurements are appropriately planned, implemented, documented, disseminated and that required compliance monitoring processes are effective. This does not include making any payments.
• Work with the ALs and MEL officers to conduct field assessments on grants activities, collect data for purposes of monitoring indicators to be used for the results framework
• Act as a field focal point for cash payments to DW project beneficiaries and activity participants when directed by DW project management. This may include collecting relevant documentation to support payment and coordinating with DRC Finance staff.
• Serve as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including local partners in the absence of the Area lead.
• Support the Area Lead in communication between project team members and local partners to ensure alignment on project objectives and deliverables

Requirements

Experience and technical competencies:  

• Proven analytical skills and ability to think strategically.
• Proven people management and communication skills leading a multidisciplinary team.
• Proven experience preparing and analysing financial statements and reports.
• Demonstrable experience in supervising managing coaching and training others, especially local, community-based organisations.
• Previous experience in field work and working with implementing partners desirable.
• Must have a ‘hands-on’, practical mentality, be self-driven and be very motivated.
• Must be well organised, able to take initiative and work independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and good command of English.
• Experience in working in complex and hardship areas/contexts.

Education

• Undergraduate Degree Finance/accounting or a related field is preferred.
• CPA/ACCA Qualification would be an added advantage

Language: 

• Excellent written and spoken English
• Fluency in the relevant local language required