Palladium is looking for Country Activity Coordinator – Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Company Overview:

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved – and is committed to continuing to improve – economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. 

NPI EXPAND Overview:

The New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) Expanding Health Partnerships—NPI EXPAND Project—is a five-year, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project which aims to support Missions with increasing the availability and utilization of quality health services across all USAID priority health areas.

In line with the Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR), USAID is committed to expanding its range of implementing partners by investing in new and underutilized local partners (NUPs) and strengthening their capacity to strategize, plan, and implement health sector programs with USAID funds. Enhanced participation of capable local partners to increase demand for and deliver high-quality, high impact health services will enable governments to meet crucial health goals equitably and sustainably. NPI EXPAND will catalyse opportunities to scale up innovative interventions by strengthening the capacity of NUPs with varying levels of capabilities and exposure to USAID.

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, NPI EXPAND is supporting countries to engage new and underutilized partners to leverage community structures and provide innovative and scalable solutions to strengthen emergency preparedness and response. Strengthening engagement of local organizations will help to foster sustainable and resilient health systems and communities that can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and prepare for future threats. NPI EXPAND supports new and underutilized partners to engage in the COVID-19 response by using a combination of grant-making and targeted capacity development. The grants and capacity development will focus on enabling local organizations to expand the reach of innovative and locally relevant interventions that bolster national and community-based emergency response efforts, reaching more people with lifesaving information, supplies, equipment, and services.

NPI EXPAND Activities in Tanzania:

In Tanzania, NPI EXPAND is providing funding and technical assistance to up to three local civil society organizations (CSOs) to support WORTH Yetu groups (currently involved in USAID’s Kizazi Kipya project) to produce, market, and distribute non-medical masks and/or sanitation products. The CSOs will also support the WORTH Yetu groups to implement risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Position Description:

The Country Activity Coordinator will serve as a coordinator of the NPI EXPAND activities in Tanzania and support the Grants Team to administer the full cycle of sub-grants management activities ranging from solicitation, selection, pre-award assessment, negotiation, compliance monitoring, sub-grant management training, and close-out in accordance to NPI EXPAND’s Sub-Award Management Plan. The Country Activity Coordinator will report to the COVID-19 activity lead and/or the Field Support Director, and to the Grants Management Director on grants management responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

COVID-19 Technical Activities Coordination

  •  Serve as a focal point for NPI EXPAND COVID-19 activities in Tanzania;
  •  Ensure overall adherence to the technical aspects of the Tanzania COVID-19 workplan;
  •  Provide technical oversight to NGOs and sub-awardees to ensure effective implementation of program activities and adherence by the awardees to the technical conditions of their NPI EXPAND subaward;
  •  Prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports for Palladium home office and USAID;
  •  Engage in weekly calls with the COVID-19 activity lead and/or the Field Support Director;
  •  Liaise with USAID Tanzania as needed;
  •  Represent NPI EXPAND in all in-country engagements with various stakeholders including but not limited to USAID Tanzania, the Government of Tanzania and other development partners in relevant sectors;
  •  Organize logistical support and schedules for staff and consultants providing short term technical assistance to NPI EXPAND projects in Tanzania; and
  •  Perform other duties as assigned.

Grants Management

  •  Serve as the principle point of contact on grant management and compliance of the local NPI EXPAND sub-grantees in Tanzania;
  •  Work closely with the Grants Team at home office to carry out pre-award risk assessments of the potential sub-grantees; 
  •  Oversee grant management and implementation at the country level;
  •  Work closely with the Grants Team at the head office to provide effective and collaborative due diligence and oversight of grants;
  •  Analyze proposal budgets for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness;
  •  Draft new grant agreements and amendments for approval by the head office;
  •  Ensure the smooth management of country grants portfolio, including timely payments, quick responses to grantee inquiries, and efficient problem-solving;
  •  Verify milestone achievements for each sub-grant;
  •  Maintain an up-to-date country grant portfolio, sending all reminders, follow-ups, and closeouts;
  •  Review grantee financial reports, payment requests, and conduct resolution of invoice review findings;
  •  Ensure proper filing, manually and electronically, of all documents generated for various sub-grants from inception up to close-out;
  •  Implement trainings and other capacity building activities to ensure the sub-grantees understand and are able to implement respective grants in accordance to with the grant agreement and applicable U.S. Government regulations and requirements; 
  •  Work with the Grants Team in the head office to facilitate the close-out of grants;
  •  Perform other duties as assigned.

Period and Location of Performance:

The period of performance of this assignment is nine (9) months with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding. Location for this engagement is Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This position is open to local Tanzanian nationals only.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in international development, project management, finance, accounting, business, non-profit administration, or other relevant field;
  •  Experience managing projects funded by the U.S. Government and/or other donor organizations, particularly in the health sector;
  •  Experience working with grants cycle management for development projects;
  •  Excellent interpersonal skills;
  •  Ability to speak and write in English;
  •  High level of computer literacy and strong experience with Microsoft Office applications;
  •  Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive issues and maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times;
  •  Ability to work with strict deadlines, while maintaining sound judgement, high integrity, transparency, and accountability; 
  •  Ability to work independently with limited supervision, and ability to virtually collaborate and engage with colleagues and partners in other office locations;
  •  Exemplary attention to detail; and
  •  A strong team player.

Apply here