Organizational Setting

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”, 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 Grant Scheme (GS) instrument that will provide financial and non-financial support to small farmers and value chain actors. Grant Operational Manual (GOM) have been developed that outline the operational modalities, procedural aspects, and eligibility requirements for the grant programme. The GOM will be executed by 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 Team Leader; 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.

Technical Focus

The grant analyst will be responsible for opening, reviewing and scoring of grant applications, ensuring smooth communication with applicants to receive necessary clarifications on application and needful supporting documents, and preparing applications for review of the technical review team.

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 State Agrarian Registry.
•    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 Selection Committee (SC), and preparation of the minutes following the SC meetings.
•    Performance of standard operating procedures subsequent to the approval of applications by the SC, 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 beneficiaries in the process of grant applications.
•    Validation of progress reports provided by the beneficiaries and /or implementing partners.
•    Liaising with beneficiaries, implementing partners and other stakeholders on behalf of the Project.
•    Supporting the awareness campaigns for the grants.
•    Participating in inspections and evaluations of investments.
•    Other duties as deemed appropriate to support the functioning of the grants scheme.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in accounting, economics or related field;
•    At least 5 years of relevant practical experience in grant projects;
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English; working knowledge of Ukrainian
•    National of Ukraine

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Reviewing of grant applications in SAR
•    Beneficiary documents verification
•    Participation in grant analyst team meetings
•    Performance of standard operating procedures according to the approved Grant Operational Manual

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION