Sub Award and Partners Capacity Building Manager – HIGHLAND RESILIENCE ACTIVITY: ADDIS ABABA, E[...]

Position Overview

Sub Award & Partners Capacity Building Manager is responsible for managing the programmatic, financial, and operational aspects of sub‑awards issued under the HRA programs across Mercy Corps Ethiopia. S/he facilitates the development, execution, and evaluation of capacity‑building initiatives for HRA subaward partners, crafts a comprehensive capacity strengthening plan, and ensures that partners comply with donor regulations and internal policies.

Under the direction of the Deputy Chief of Party, the manager establishes annual milestones to gauge partner readiness, collaborates with the HRA Senior Finance Manager, the HRA Technical Director, Operations Team, Finance Team, Program Teams, MEL/CLA Director, and consults with Mercy Corps Global Headquarters compliance and legal departments.

Sub Awards Management

• Participate in the development of the overall programmatic strategy and the strategy for the subawards program.
• Work closely with consortium‑level subrecipient organisations to ensure they issue, manage, and monitor subawards in accordance with the HRA subaward manual.
• Ensure partners comply with procedures in the approved HRA subaward manual and use annexes as applicable.
• Update the HRA subaward manual as needed, assist the COP/DCOP with seeking USAID approval for any updates.
• Participate in the design of RFAs/APS, publish RFAs/APS, issue packages to prospective applicants, manage the administrative process of receiving applications, and provide applicants to the Review Committee.
• Administer competitive RFA/APS processes in accordance with the HRA subaward manual, clearly defining and communicating steps for selecting, negotiating, and awarding subawards.
• Review RFA/APS applicant budgets and narratives for completeness, cost realism, and compliance with budget requirements.
• Conduct pre‑award financial review and due diligence of successful applicants.
• Coordinate selection of subaward agreement type, draft subaward, and negotiate agreements with selected subrecipients.
• Draft modifications to subawards as needed.
• Develop and conduct subrecipient financial and compliance training workshops.
• Review subrecipient financial reports for correctness and completeness and ensure timely submission.
• Develop subrecipient monitoring plans, conduct financial monitoring, and prepare monitoring visit reports.
• Follow up on all subaward compliance issues and audits and document resolutions.
• Create and update/maintain subaward cards and enter subaward expenditure reports in Navigator.
• Maintain subaward files in accordance with the Field Finance Manual.
• Process subrecipient payments and reconcile subaward financial tracking to general ledger reports.
• Ensure subaward financial close‑outs meet all agreement requirements and that funds are properly settled.
• Provide compliance guidance and consultations to subrecipients on a demand‑driven basis.

Partner Capacity Building

• Coordinate participatory organizational capacity assessments for subaward partners using Mercy Corps’ OCI tool and support partners in creating capacity development plans.
• Collaborate with thematic technical leads to support the implementation of improvement action plans.
• Refine organizational development tools and recommend best approaches for partner capacity development.
• Develop or refine CSO capacity‑building curricula to fit local context.
• Deliver or oversee delivery of training to build partner technical competencies.
• Support peer‑to‑peer knowledge sharing and mentorship, including field site visits and learning events.
• Provide technical guidance to strengthen partner administrative and financial management systems.
• Support incorporation of conflict‑sensitive and gender approaches into partner activities.

Compliance, Representation & Security

• Ensure HRA is executed in alignment with the prime award agreement and applicable USAID regulations; update procedures as necessary.
• Identify and communicate compliance risks; work with program teams to design compliant activities.
• Review procurement, program transactions, contracts, and other documents for compliance; ensure requirements are met.
• Prepare prior approval, waiver, and other compliance requests to the donor; assist subrecipients with requests to Mercy Corps.
• Prepare and maintain internal and donor compliance‑related reports.
• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub‑grantees, donors, local governments, and stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Interface with donor representatives to convey program information as appropriate.
• Participate in sharing best practices with NGOs and governmental agencies.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies; proactively ensure team members operate in a secure environment.

Works Directly With

HRA Senior Finance Manager, HRA Subaward Specialist, HRA Technical Director, Operations Department, Program Manager of Partners, HRA Regional Program Coordinators, HQ Compliance, and others.

Reports To

Deputy Chief of Party.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Location and Travel

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with regular travel (up to 50% by air and road) to field offices in relatively secure environments.

Knowledge & Experience

• BA degree or equivalent in accounting, finance, social science, international development, or related fields. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 7 years of field or management experience with complex, multi‑dimensional programming, including administering subawards in an international environment.
• At least 4 years of grants management experience and a strong understanding of USAID regulations.
• Understanding of the status of CSOs in Ethiopia and challenges to strengthening their capacities is an advantage.
• Proven ability to oversee subrecipient monitoring and to administer solicitations, assess potential subrecipients, and manage the selection process.
• Strong skills in working with donors to obtain approvals and waivers for compliance.
• Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office, especially Excel.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi‑tasking, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent English language skills.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous experience in insecure environments.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Mercy Corps is an equal‑opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to strengthen our global impact.