JOB TITLE: Grants and Finance Support Officer
LINE MANAGER JOB TITLE: Ilyas Ibrahim Mohamed, Chief of Party
DEPARTMENT:  Corporate 
LOCATION:  Aden, Yemen
DIRECT REPORTS JOB TITLE(S): None
DATE: 24 May 2023

ABOUT ARK:

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity, and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Learn more about our impact here: https://www.ark.international/impact 

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The primary role of the Grants and Finance Support Officer is to provide administration and financial support services to the subawards component of a prospective 5-year USAID-funded strengthening community resilience to armed recruitment program in Yemen. The programme will prioritize building community awareness, prevention-mechanisms, and reconciliation, positively engage children and youth, advance economic empowerment opportunities to limit the drivers of recruitment, and care for individuals’ psychological and emotional needs through psychosocial and mental health support, including specialized assistance and referral services for women and girls who experience high rates of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Yemen. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Finance Responsibilities

• Facilitate effective communication with local Audit and Accounting Services.
• Maintain the security of the office cash box, handle all cash disbursements, perform regular reconciliations, and provide accurate cash flow forecasts.
• Act as the primary liaison with the Finance Department for the handling and processing of final payments.
• Manage the initiation and maintenance of local bank account applications, while fostering and managing strong relationships with local banking institutions.
• Supervise and ensure the accurate processing of national staff payroll.
• Coordinate local tax and social security declarations, by partnering with external accounting and auditing firms, ensuring compliance with local legislation.

Grants Responsibilities 

• Support the grants team to oversee the complete lifecycle of grants, from solicitation through awarding, monitoring, and close-out. Ensure that grant funds are disbursed in a timely manner and used appropriately according to the terms of the grant.
• Ensure proposed subrecipients meet all applicable eligibility requirements, including but not limited to sam.gov registration and vetting requirements.
• Support the grants team to Implement rigorous grant monitoring systems to track and assess the progress and performance of grantees, ensuring that project goals and objectives are being met and funds are being used efficiently and effectively.
• Ensure grantees adhere to stringent financial reporting requirements and support audit processes when required. Ensure all financial reports and reimbursement requests are accurate, thorough, and submitted on time.
• Ensure all grantees comply with grant conditions and regulations, including the proper use of funds and adherence to reporting requirements. Raise any issues of non-compliance promptly to the Chief of Party.
• Work closely with grantees to develop their understanding of USAID grant and compliance requirements, their capacity to manage funds, and their ability to measure and report on outcomes. This could include providing tailored training, resources, and support to improve grantees' financial management, project management, and reporting skills.
• Support the grants team to identify and assess potential risks associated with each grant, putting in place mitigation strategies to manage these risks effectively.
• Regularly review and refine grant management processes and systems to ensure they remain effective and efficient and are meeting the needs of grantees and donors.
• Maintain accurate and up to date grantee files (electronic), readily available for internal and external audits and review.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

Essential

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in finance management under USG funding is required. Experience in subgrants management under USG is also preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of USAID compliance rules is required.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of local labour law, HR processes, policies, and systems.
• Attention to detail, ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines.
• Very good command of written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Ability to set priorities, organise time efficiently and work independently on several tasks simultaneously.
• Must be able to maintain highest level of confidentiality regarding work-related information.

Desirable 

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, and business administration.
• Background in Finance.

MORE ABOUT OUR COMPANY:

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Our People 

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.

An ARK Person Is: 

Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise our limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together, and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges, and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is thus committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related-personnel are expected to share this commitment, and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.