Grants and Subcontracts Specialist

USAID FtF Kenya Private Sector Activity (KPSA) 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya  

About Palladium:   

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.  

Project Overview and Role:  

The Kenya Feed the Future Private Sector Activity (KPSA) is a $48 million, USAID-funded, Palladium implemented project that will accelerate inclusive economic growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural firms, health firms and other sectors. Using a systems approach, KPSA will provide a suite of customized, high-impact services that increase the productivity of firms such as SMEs, smallholders, Business Advisory Service Providers (BASPs) and Financial Institutions (FIs), increase market linkages, and mobilize finance to support targeted sectors. From 2024 – 2029, KPSA will use its Inclusive Growth Platform to mobilize $400 million in finance, create new jobs, increase exports and sales, and increase access to healthcare services.  

The Grants & Subcontracts Specialist will support the management of all USAID subaward grants and contracts under KPSA to ensure that subaward activities are carried out in compliance with USAID and Palladium policies and procedures. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

Assist in conducting contract and subaward solicitations and advertisements 

Support competitive procurement processes, draft agreements, and develop related subaward documentation 

Assist in the dissemination of contract and subaward Review Guidelines for evaluators, including scoring formats 

Conduct due diligence and aid the negotiation of agreements with sub awardees 

Support the administration, compliance, and implementation procedures of subawards, and ensure compliance with USAID grants regulations including procurement regulations  

Assist fund transfers after reviewing financial reports and ensuring compliance with subaward agreements (in coordination with technical staff) 

Maintain grants records in the grants management system 

Maintain subcontracts and consultant registry 

Conduct tracking and reporting, ensuring timely usage of funds as per annual work plans 

Provide guidance to sub awardees for the Branding and Marking Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation of grant implementation practices 

Provide feedback or inputs into grants under contract manual as required 

Support contract and subaward close out and final reporting  

Any and all other project-related tasks as required by the Chief of Party, project leadership, and Palladium HQ 

Position Requirements: 

Degree in relevant subject (Business, Economics, Finance, Procurement, etc.) 

2-3 years experience in contracts, subawards, or grants management 

Experience in grants solicitation or subcontract procurement solicitation or management 

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency and the ability to operate spreadsheet and word-processing programs at a highly proficient level 

Proactive problem-solving, decision-making, and good judgement skills 

Attention to detail and ability to perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities effectively and efficiently  

Ability to communicate effectively with managers, colleagues, service providers, and clients 

Experience working on USAID or other donor-funded programs of a similar size and technical area preferred 

Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements preferred  

Experience working for large donor organizations such as USAID preferred  

Kenyan candidates are preferred 

Written and oral proficiency in English required  

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. 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 and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.  

Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.  

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.