grants and due diligence officer, Education pathways to peaceThe Palladium Group

Grants and Due Diligence Officer, Education Pathways to Peace
Company Overview:
About Palladium - 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 governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.
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Project Overview and Role:
About the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways) Program
Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways) is supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of the Philippines to provide quality inclusive Kindergarten to Grade 3 education for all children across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The program focuses on early years education as the foundation for life-long learning and development. By engaging and collaborating with a wide range of education stakeholders, promoting peace in education reform, and addressing inequity and disparity in education delivery, the program also contributes to peacebuilding in the region.
Delivered through the Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), activities are directed towards strengthening education policies and institutions, ensuring accessible and inclusive education for all children, providing an integrated education system and curriculum, and improving teacher quality and development.
Pathways is implemented by Palladium in consortium with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and Orient Integrated Development Consultants Inc (OIDCI). The program's base of operations is in Cotabato City and covers all five provinces of BARMM.
About the Position:
The Grants and Due Diligence Officer supports the Grants and Due Diligence Manager to deliver the Pathways Responsive Innovation Fund (RIF) and other granting activities in compliance with Palladium Corporate Policies, the Pathways Operational and Financial Procedures Manual, the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines, and conditions of the grant and implementation agreements. In addition, the role will support due diligence activities on Pathways' business partners in line with established protocols.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to: * Provide strategic and operational support in the development and implementation of the over-all grant-making process of the Responsive Innovation Fund (RIF) under the guidance of the Grants and Due Diligence Manager and in collaboration with the Technical Team;
Support the implementation of the Responsive Innovation Fund Manual including advising on selection criteria, promotional guidelines, eligibility, time frame, process, monitoring and evaluation conditions, and financial arrangements;
Coordinate the receipt and acknowledgement of all RIF applications and manage regular correspondence with RIF grantees in consultation with the Grants and Due Diligence Manager;
Assist in the design, execution and management of the RIF operations manual, grant applications and tracking system;
Provide secretariat support to the selection process of RIF applications and maintain necessary records, files, reports, databases and relevant resource materials pertinent to the grant facility;
Support the completion of Due Diligence checks on grantees and tenders, including gathering of data/evidence and conducting of Due Diligence assessments on prospective grantees / contractors; and liaising with applicants / tenders on any 'red-flag' issues emerging from due diligence process;
Assist the finance team with procurement due diligence checks, negotiation with and finalization of grant agreements and the disbursement of funds in compliance with grant agreements and Commonwealth guidelines;
Assist the Grants and Finance teams in the accounting of Pathways' disbursement of grant funds as well as grantees' fund utilization;
Facilitate the monitoring of the implementation of grantee projects in collaboration with the MEARL unit to assure the quality of monitoring and reporting and full compliance with the donor requirements.;
Help produce progress reports on various aspects of the RIF grant portfolio, support project close-out activities and report lessons learned to feed into future rounds of funding;
Contribute to conducting and/or managing of other activities as may reasonably be required by the Grants and Due Diligence Manager including but not limited to taking the following Project Officer's roles:
Assist in preparing quality design of activities, program and projects that are linked to the program goals, end-of-program outcomes, and approved annual plan;
Support in organizing activities which may include coordination and liaising with program partners and stakeholders, technical support in managing the day-to-day operations of activities/program, documentation of proceedings, and drafting of activity accomplishment reports;
Support the M&E Team in its monitoring activities which may include providing technical support to surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and gathering of date and information;
Provide support in conducting Quarterly Strategy Reviews, reflection and knowledge sharing sessions.
Other duties as may reasonably be required by the Grants and Due Diligence Manager consistent with the incumbent's qualifications and experience.
Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should have the following qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge:
Qualifications in Economics, Business Administration, Social Science or related field;
Demonstrated experience in financial, procurement, or project development and grant management cycle (e.g. situation analysis, proposal development, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, etc.);
Demonstrated experience working in project delivery, legal, government or NGO context;
Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyze financial reports;
Sound problem solving and decision-making skills;
Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog; Proficiency in local languages in the Bangsamoro Region is an advantage;
Strong interpersonal skills and has ability to work effectively with others in a cross-cultural and fragile environment; can work even under pressure;
Excellent coordination, liaising, and events organising skills;
Good knowledge and understanding of the Bangsamoro context;
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Office; and
Willing to be based in Cotabato City and travel to other areas in BARMM.
***Candidates from the BARMM are strongly encouraged to apply. ***
Important Note:
Applications close 26 September 2021.
Along with their CV (maximum 4 pages), interested applicants must submit a written response (2-4 pages only) addressing their suitability for the role as per the qualifications enumerated above.
The Palladium Group

Cotabato City, Maguindanao
Permanent
Full-time