National Grant Analyst

Organizational Setting 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) representation in Yemen (FAOYE) is implementing since January 2023 a 40-month duration, World Bank-funded project titled \"Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project - FSRRP” (OSRO/YEM/206/WBK) (the Project), financed through two IDA grants .
The Project is implemented through 5 components focusing on:
•    Improving agricultural production infrastructure and building climate resilience; 
•    Increasing domestic food production and market development; 
•    Improving the nutritional status and incomes of vulnerable households; 
•    Capacity building for food security management and 
•    Project Management. 
The sub-component 2.2 of FSRRP, with FAO as main implementing partner, is designed to provide technical and assets/financial support to small-scale breeders and farmers, supply chain enablers (SMEs), producer groups, business cooperative associations and lead firms in the livestock production and agriculture value sectors. The aim is to improve their impact in sustaining demand of products and services in the selected agriculture value chains. The sub-component will target: 
•    2.2. Window A: Micro, Small and Medium Livestock Breeders 
•    2.2. Window B: Supply Chain Enablers (SMEs) in the selected value chains and producer groups
•    2.2. Window C: Small Scale Sesame Farmers 
•    2.2. Window D: Business Cooperative Associations (BAs)/ Lead Firms (LFs) in agriculture and livestock sectors
Windows A and C will be managed by FAOYE in partnership with the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Services (SMEPS), a Yemeni institution dealing with the promotion and support to private business in the country, via a traditional purchase-and-transfer of assets methodology. On the other hand, windows B and D will be managed through the development of a matching grant strategy, also under the overall responsibility of FAOYE and the support of SMEPS. Concretely, the overall implementation of windows B and D will regulated by FAO Manual Section 703 on Beneficiary Grants.
While substantial progress has been made regarding the analytical background and the design of the matching grant component of FSRRP (windows B and D of subcomponent 2.2), due to the overall complexity of this component in the given environment, FAOYE is seeking a National Grants Analyst to integrate a Grants Management Unit (GMU). The GMU, managed by a Grants Manager, is tasked with the overall responsibility for the implementation of the matching grant component of FSRRP within FAOYE.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FSRRP Project Manager (Head of Agriculture & Rural Development, FAOYE), the National Grant Analyst reports to the Grants Manager.

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 plays a critical role in the grant application process by evaluating proposals, collaborating with technical and select committee, and maintaining effective communication with the Operating Partner, SMEPS. Their responsibilities include reviewing applications for compliance, clarifying complex details, organizing submissions for the technical review team, and providing constructive feedback to applicants though SMEPS. Additionally, the analyst seeks opportunities to improve the overall grant evaluation process, ensuring a thorough and efficient assessment of each proposal.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Grant Analyst will be part of the Grant Management Unit and will be responsible for assigned aspects of the grants implementation process:
•    Prepare, with inputs from the national counterparts especially SMEPS, the calls for applications related the matching grants component of FSRRP
•    Manage the receipt and registration of matching grant applications through the grants platform, based on established criteria, procedures and checklists as described in the Grants Operational Manual
•    Participate in the works of the matching grants’ Technical Committees as described in the Grants Operational Manual, including initial screening based on eligibility, evaluating and scoring of applications
•    Support SMEPS in the follow up with the final awardees so to gather all the needed supporting documents for the signature of the Grants Agreements 
•    Manage grant agreements with final beneficiaries, including its preparation, facilitation of the signature, payments management, contract administration
•    Update and maintain the grant platform as necessary 
•    Monitoring the status of approved grants in coordination with SMEPS to ensure the full, timely utilization of all grants funds and compliance with the grant agreement and grants operational manual.
•    Contribute to the reporting of all undertaken activities on the grants activities, including through the grants platform
•    Support the training and capacity development activities developed by SMEPS for the potential applicants
•    Validation of all reviews performed by the implementing partners, like SMEPS or TPMAs.
•    Participate, as deemed appropriate by the Grants Manager, in inspections and verification missions to the beneficiaries’ sites.
•    Other duties as deemed appropriate by the Grants Manager to support the functioning of the grant process.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in management, accounting, economics, agribusiness or related field
•    At least 5 years of relevant practical experience in grant projects, with relevant experience in the fields of agricultural value chains development, rural business development
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English 
•    National of Yemen

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Relevant experience in the fields of agricultural value chains development, rural business development
•    Ability to take ownership and accountability for assigned processes and to work autonomously.
•    Rigor and demonstrated attention to detail
•    Quality of both oral and written communication skills
•    Demonstrated ability to be an efficient team member

Selection Criteria

•    Extent and diversity of experience related to the above requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION