Partnership Contracts Officer at International Fertilizer Development (IFDC)

Job Description

• Support 2SCALE technical staff in finalizing partnership agreements, MoUs and contractual agreements, including advisory on legal clauses, and review of responsibilities and budgets in some of 2SCALE’s focus countries (to be determined).
• Update the system to monitor key deliverables (e.g. governance meetings and filing of minutes; annual financial statement; private sector contribution, etc.) agreed-upon in the partnership agreements as well as in MoUs/ contractual agreements and consultancy contracts related to all active partnerships.
• Anticipate reminders to partnership facilitators and country team leaders.
• Conduct and document the due diligence of potential new contractors, i.e. BSSs or consulting organizations identified for specific partnership-related services, as per the partnership agreements or related action plans.
• Review action plans and budgets proposed under service agreements and consultancy contracts. Whenever needed, assist in revising or finalizing them.
• Submit service agreements and consultancy contracts for approval and monitor the contract making process until the service agreement/ consultancy contract is fully executed.
• File each fully executed service agreement/ consultancy contract and related payment documentation, through 2SCAALE’s agreed-upon filing system.
• In collaboration with the Partnership Contracts Manager and using the unique 2SCALE service agreement tracker, monitor schedules for installment disbursements, alert field teams about deadlines and make disbursement projections for the following month.
• Identify and prioritize needs and gaps of BSSs in financial, management and governance systems, including operational policies and manuals in the focus countries.
• Under the leadership of the Partnership Contracts Manager develop an efficient approach to guide and train BSSs in the management of the service agreements.
• In close collaboration and consultation with 2SCALE country teams and the Partnership Contracts Manager, visit the selected organizations that are implementing activities through 2SCALE service agreements. Monitor BSSs to assess performance, attainment of targets, adherence to contractual obligations stated in service agreements and quality of interventions.
• Write and submit quality progress reports and notes with a strict respect of deadlines for the countries focused on.
• Under the leadership of and in collaboration with the Partnership Contracts Manager prepare monthly service agreement recaps and projections, for all focus countries.
• Document lessons learned from the focus countries, share them in reports and integrate them into subsequent program activities.
• Collaborate with the 2SCALE admin and financial officers of host offices (from both IFDC and SNV) to ensure adequate financial reporting/ forecasting to the management team under the supervision of the Partnership Contracts Manager.
• Develop and ensure excellent working relationships with BSSs, lead partners, and other actors involved in partnerships.
• The Partnership Contracts Officer is also responsible for any other assignments that the management deems necessary for the success of the program.
• The Partnership Contracts Officer reports to the Deputy Program Director.
• She/ he works under the coordination of the Partnership Contracts Manager.
• She/ he collaborates closely with the 2SCALE country teams and the budget and finance administrators.

 Requirement/Skills

• Minimum Bachelor degree or equivalent in finance, administration or other relevant area.
• Rigorous and meticulous professional, able to spot mistakes, inconsistencies and non-compliance with contractual obligations.
• Result-orientation and ability to take initiatives under minimal supervision, and to meet deadlines.
• Excellent writing skills in Standard English.
• Work proficiency in French not mandatory, but a plus.
• At least 1 year of relevant experience in grant making or finance.
• The 2SCALE Partnership Contracts Officer is a national position with a duty station at 2SCALE’s Program Management Unit in Accra, Ghana.
• The position requires travels (up to 30% of the time) in focus countries.

 Contract duration

• Based on the incumbent’s performance, availability of funds and program needs, the contract could then be extended or renewed.
• IFDC will propose a first contract ending on December 31, 2020.