Jain Chacko

Over a decade of operations and finance experience on USAID-funded projects in complex operating environments. His expertise includes grants management, finance, budgeting, and reporting; administrative management, staff training, and performance monitoring; and operations and field office management, including contract compliance, procurement, and inventory and asset controls for $18 to $50-million projects. Has directly and remotely managed grant design, development, and implementation activities in Nigeria, South Sudan, and Afghanistan. In Nigeria specifically, as Director of Finance and Grants for the $44 million USAID-funded Northern Education Initiative (NEI) in Nigeria, ensured compliance and trained program staff as well as 19 sub-grantees and local NGOs in financial systems, ensuring adherence to grant management policies and timely financial reporting to USAID. Experience in operations as a Deputy Chief of Party for Finance and Administration, a Director of Grants, and an Accountant, enables to appropriately support staff and efficiently conduct operations in northeast Nigeria and other complex working environments while adhering strictly to implementing partner and USAID rules and regulations. As Director of Finance and Grants on NEI, ensured internal control systems and drafted accounting and financial reporting protocols for grantees. Based in Bauchi and traveled regularly to Sokoto on field visits to monitor progress and help grant managers find flexible solutions to disbursing and managing quick-impact grants. Facilitated the issuance of approximately 50 grants in two years averaging $50,000 per grantee each year. Grantees included CBOs, NGOs, and women's network organizations-beneficiaries not dissimilar to those the NLCB Program will work with. Very well versed in USAID rules and regulations surrounding contracts, grants, and procurement. Work in grant management includes providing oversight and training to grantees, participating in grant application reviews, evaluating grantee worthiness, and supporting selection processes. As Finance and Grants Specialist for Sudan Health Transformation Project (SHTP II) in South Sudan--a micro-grants program intended to fund community organizations to support public health outcomes--he invited local NGOs and CBOs to participate in grant proposal application procedures and guided grantees through compliance with the grant's manual. In Nigeria, South Sudan, Iraq, and Afghanistan, has also enabled USAID-funded projects to vet grantees, procure and distribute in-kind goods and services, and enforce internal controls - all in compliance with USAID rules and regulations. Intimately familiar with the unique challenges of remote operations and security-challenged management. As Finance Director for Iraq Community Action Program (ICAP) in Erbil, Iraq, managed a field office in Kirkuk and a cross-border field office in Jordan and supported management of over 200 small grants under the Marla Ruzicka Iraq War Victims Fund. Similarly, as Chief Accountant for Education II in Baghdad, Iraq, managed field offices in Kirkuk, Erbil, Hillah, and Kuwait from the main office in Baghdad. Technical & Areas of Expertise Categories / Sector: * Rule of Law * Accounting and Audit functions * Education * Financial & Grants Management * Global Health * Project Start up and Close-Out * Community development * Remote management and field operations * Life Support Service and Maintenance * Financial System Set-Up, Implementation * USAID Rules and Regulations * Administration, Operations, HR, Procurement and IT Support * Capacity building and training * Collaborates closely with the program team