Grants Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Requisition ID: req5662
Location: Maiduguri, Nigeria
Sector: Grants
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: Yes

Job Description

• The Grants Manager provides works across the spectrum of pre-award, award and post-award grants management with a portfolio of grants/ donors.
• Directly supervised by the Senior Grants Coordinator, the position ensures donor compliance, reporting, proposal packaging for donor submission, conducting project cycle meetings, project document filing, preparing donor briefs and visibility.
• The position is based in Maiduguri, Borno State with travel to Abuja and other parts of the North East.
• S/he will work collaboratively with a range of colleagues in Nigeria and elsewhere, including other members of the Grants Team, M&E Team, technical coordinators, Operations, Finance, and with the Deputy Directors of Programs, and of Field Management.

Areas of Responsibility
Strategy and planning:

• Ensure that due process is followed for Project Cycle Meetings both, including preparation of all necessary materials, follow-through, taking a lead as necessary.

Information management:

• Act as custodian of documentation of institutional knowledge and program activities in coordination with relevant sector supervisors and coordinators.
• Maintain comprehensive electronic files for programs, and ensure IRC colleagues and have access to relevant records and information.

Donor relations and communications:

• Liaise with donors and potential donors, and other operational partners, including through attendance at meetings, and represent IRC and IRC’s interests by maintaining positive and constructive relations.
• In coordination with relevant colleagues, respond to requests from donors for compliance information and respond to donor compliance questions as needed.
• Ensure that colleagues and relevant others are aware of all relevant donor communications, changes in regulations, and meetings or events.
• Facilitate and participate in donor visits and/ or meetings as per the agreed timeline of visits.

Compliance:

• Provide training to IRC staff on compliance and donor-specific compliance requirements.
• Ensure immediate reporting of suspected fraud cases through appropriate reporting mechanism.

Grant management:

• With the support of the Senior Grants Coordinator, coordinate the development of quality proposals and narrative reports with relevant teams, including acting as lead writer when necessary.
• Liaise with HQ units (regional, Awards Management Unit, technical units) to ensure proposals meet internal standards, apply IRC’s Outcome and Evidence Framework and are responsive to donor requirements.
• Support program staff in assessing funding opportunities for fit with IRC Nigeria’s strategic objectives and the local context, advising on these as required.
• Work with coordinators and managers to coordinate the timely development of high quality new funding proposals and reports.
• Monitor and support the use of grants management tools such as the FM01, BvAs, and OTIS to ensure accurate tracking of opportunities, reporting and adjustments through the project life cycle.
• Provide technical guidance on IRC and donor regulations to ensure compliance across IRC Nigeria, proactively raising and resolving issues.
• Manage all reporting deadlines, coordinate and consolidate report as necessary to ensure documents are of the highest quality and in line with donor requirements.
• Act as a focal point for HQ grants administration and compliance colleagues, including maintaining submissions on IRC’s online opportunity management tracking system (OTIS).

Staff development:

• Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity on grants and partnerships, enhancing knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance.
• Maintain close communication and positive working relations with partners.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Senior Management Team.

Qualifications
Person Specification:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent in International Affairs, Development, International Political Economy or other relevant subject
• Demonstrable experience working in grants management and proposal/ business development/ design
• Knowledge of donor compliance regulations (OFDA, USAID, ECHO, DFID, SIDA etc)
• Proven previous successful experience developing projects, writing proposals and donor reports.
• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills
• Fluency in English, spoken and written
• Strong writing and editing skills with close attention to detail
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures but also use own initiative, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members
• Flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and circumstances
• Ability to juggle competing priorities, meet deadlines and work under pressure in an insecure environment
• Aptitude to adapt to a different context regarding security, culture, climate or health issues
• Willingness to travel
• Commitment to women’s rights and IRC’s vision, mission and values, including sensitivity to cultural settings