Grants Officer at Oral Health Advocacy Initiative

Oral Health Advocacy Initiative (OHAI) is a Non-governmental organization established in 2003 with its headquarter in Abuja, and presence in about 34 states in Nigeria including the FCT. It aims to advance the cause of Oral and related health challenges among the disadvantaged and hard-to-reach communities in Nigeria and Africa. In vision, the Oral Health Advocacy Initiative (OHAI) seeks to create public consciousness in oral health that results in comprehensive oral health care delivery in Nigeria and Africa through Advocacy, strategic partnership, capacity building, community mobilization, oral health education, consultancy services and treatment of Oro-facial disease.

OHAI implements projects in Oral Cancer, Human and Health Resource Development, Cleft Surgery, Noma Intervention, Oral Health Perspective of HIV/AIDS Program, Oral Health Care for Women and Children (OHWC), OHAI Community Based Social Health Insurance Program (OCBSHIP), Malnutrition, Education and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. OHAI also prioritizes safe recruitment which is central to the safeguarding of children and young people. OHAI has the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and all at risk adults. This includes ensuring that the organisation adopts safe recruitment and selection procedures which prevent unsuitable persons from gaining access to children and at risk adults.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Grants Officer

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

• The grant officer will be responsible for identifying and pursuing new grants opportunities, developing and maintaining relationships with key donors and implementing strategies to help achieve the organization financial goals. He will provide grant management, administrative, business development and reporting support across the Nigeria portfolio.
• The position holder will be based in Maiduguri, Borno State with occasional trips to other field offices.

Responsibilities

• Development and implementation of resource mobilization plan for the organization
• Grant Research and Identification: You will actively search for grant opportunities that align with the organization's objectives and programs. This involves staying updated on various funding sources, UN agencies, USAID, FCDO, ECHO grants, foundations, and corporate giving programs.
• Proposal Development: Once a suitable grant opportunity is identified, you will work closely with the program managers and other stakeholders (resource mobilization committees) to develop compelling grant proposals. This includes understanding the funding requirements, writing a persuasive narrative and creating a detailed budget that justifies the expenses.
• Grant Application Submission: As a Grant Officer, you will coordinate and manage the entire grant application process. This involves adhering to the submission deadlines, ensuring all required documents are included, and submitting the proposals through the appropriate channels.
• Relationship Management: Building and maintaining positive relationships with potential funders and grant-making organizations is crucial. You may engage in networking events, attend grant-maker meetings, and establish open lines of communication to understand their priorities and guidelines better.
• Grant Compliance and Reporting: After a grant is awarded, you will ensure that the organization complies with all the terms and conditions set by the funding source. This includes providing periodic progress reports, financial updates, and any other documentation required for grant compliance.
• Budget Monitoring: Collaborating with the finance team, you will monitor the budget and expenses related to the grant-funded projects. Ensuring that funds are used appropriately and transparently, it is vital to maintain a positive relationship with the grantors.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate and organized records of all grant activities, including communications, proposals, and reports. It is necessary for future reference and audit purposes.
• Grant Strategy Development: Working with the leadership team, you will contribute to the development of the organization's grant-seeking strategy. This may involve setting annual fundraising targets, prioritizing grant opportunities, and exploring new funding avenues.
• Capacity Building: As a Grant Officer, you might also be involved in providing support and training to program staff on grant-related matters, including grant writing, reporting, and compliance.
• Grant Stewardship: Demonstrating the impact of the organization's work to funders is crucial for securing ongoing support. You may be involved in showcasing the outcomes and successes achieved through funded projects.
• For the sake of sustainability, this position will also create other business opportunities for the organization, which will include exploring business options that will support growth and consistency.

Requirements and Qualifications

• A successful Grants Officer will be adept at managing a project from inception to completion, and have an innate ability to prioritize and synthesize information in an analytical and systematic manner.
• A comfort with ambiguity and competing priorities is vital. Candidates should be exceptionally strong written and oral communicators, great listeners, instinctual information sharers, and network builders.
• Familiarity with international donors is preferred (BHA, USAID, ECHO, FCDO, GAC, SIDA, UN agencies, etc.).

Additionally:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Business Development, International Affairs, Development Studies, Project Management or other relevant subject, Master’s Degree in non-profit management or related field will be an added advantage.
• Good organizational skills/ Strong negotiation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially with Excel
• Ability to multitask and work independently and collaboratively to meet weekly, monthly, and quarterly deadlines
• Professional, flexible, and a can-do attitude.
• Candidates should have 3 - 5 years of professional work experience, with some knowledge or background in non-profits or grant making and/or management systems.
• A Proven capability of securing grants/funds for one or two organizations in time past.
• Proven knowledge of working in emergency situation areas (e.g. BAY States)
• Data management experience, familiarity with data systems and business processes
• Financial or business analysis skills
• Exceptional communication skills
• Natural curiosity for problem solving
• Excellent inter-personal/ intercultural skills.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline 19th August, 2023.