Country Grants Officer at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Main responsibilities of the position.

• This position is responsible for resource mobilisation at country level under the supervision of the Country Director and in collaboration with colleagues in the Country Office and global JRS.
• This includes the development of a resource mobilisation strategy and its implementation through competitive funding proposals, outstanding donor stewardship, and strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Engagement with Project Directors is to be coordinated with the Country Programmes Officer.
• Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

Country Resource Mobilisation Strategy

• Develop a multi-year resource mobilisation strategy for JRS Nigeria
• Lead the implementation of the JRS Nigeria resource mobilisation strategy and the achievement of annual funding targets.
• Monitor donor trends and relevant grant-making rules and regulations in Nigeria.
• Seek and maximise funding opportunities from a variety of sources and expand the donor portfolio in Nigeria.
• Develop a mechanism to regularly review funding needs and priorities with relevant Country Office colleagues and ensure alignment of the resource mobilisation strategy.

Resource Acquisition and Donor Stewardship

• In close collaboration with relevant colleagues in the Country Office, lead the preparation and submission of funding proposals from concept through to award, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and priorities, as well as sign off by the Country Director prior to submission.
• With oversight from the Country Director, and in coordination with colleagues in the Country Office, collaborate with the RO, the IO and JRS/USA Office Staff for applications, reports and grant compliance for donors channelled via the RO, IO and/or JRS/USA.
• Support the Country Programmes Officer with the development of JRS Nigeria programmes and project plans, by providing context on the donor funding environment, donor requirements and specific opportunities in the funding pipeline.
• Together with the Country Director, ensure strong stewardship of donors, in coordination with other JRS offices in case of joint donors.
• Represent JRS Nigeria in meetings with donors, consortia, and partners regarding resource mobilisation and partnership opportunities.
• In coordination with the Country Programmes Officer and Country Communications Officer, gather content for donor stewardship.

Grant Management

• Manage the JRS Nigeria grants portfolio.
• Coordinate with colleagues in the Country Office to ensure compliance with grant commitments and applicable donor rules and regulations.
• Coordinate with Country Programmes and Finance colleagues for the development of accurate grant reports and ensure their timely submission according to the donor’s requirements.
• Ensure up-to-date records in the grants module of the JRS Information Management System (once made available).

Capacity Building

• Lead capacity building of country and project staff in proposal development and donor compliance, in coordination with the relevant colleagues in the Country Office, and share donor feedback for learning.
• Contribute to the global JRS Grants Community of Practice.

Qualifications and Competencies

• At least five (5) years of relevant work experience with humanitarian/development donor-funded programmes.
• Strong experience with grant acquisition, donor stewardship, and grant management.
• Familiarity with templates and procedures used by grant-makers.
• Experience with financial reporting.
• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Ability to work with CRM, grants and programmes systems.
• Excellent communication and presentation capacities, able to persuasively articulate JRS’s message and impact to external audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural, international environment.

Languages

• Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English.

Required Core Values

• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value.