Grants Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview / Summary

• Based in Maiduguri, Nigeria the Grants Manager will provide grant management, business development and reporting support across the Nigeria portfolio.
• The Grants Manager will work closely with program, M&E finance, operations and senior management team (SMT) staff to ensure quality management of both pre and post award grants functions.
• The Grants Manager will support donor compliance, timely reporting, high quality proposal development, project document filing, preparing donor briefs and donor / internal visibility.
• The position holder will be supervised by the Senior Grants Coordinator and will work closely with other grants, partnerships, and communications managers.

Major Responsibilities
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 representing 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 relevant staff members are aware of all donor communications, changes in regulations, and meetings or events.
• Facilitate and participate in donor visits and / or meetings.
• Develop external communication materials including factsheets and program updates.

Compliance:

• Maintain up to date comprehensive knowledge of donor guidelines relevant to  the Nigeria portfolio, including but not limited to: USAID, FCDO, ECHO, UNOCHA.
• Provide training to IRC staff on compliance and donor-specific compliance requirements.
• Closely monitor grants for internal or donor compliance issues, and flag concerns in a timely manner.

Grant management and business development:

• 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 Unit, Awards Management Unit, Technical Units) to ensure proposals meet internal standards and are responsive to donor requirements.
• Support program staff to assess funding opportunities in line with IRC Nigeria’s strategic objectives and the local context, advising on these as required.
• Work with program coordinators and managers to coordinate the timely development of high quality new funding proposals and reports.
• Work closely with other members of the grants unit to proactively support grants management processes across the portfolio.
• Monitor and support the use of grant/project management tools  to ensure accurate tracking of opportunities, reporting and programmatic 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, and coordinate and consolidate reports 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).
• Contribute proactively to Project Cycle Meetings in collaboration with relevant project leads to ensure timely, quality implementation of project.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Senior Grants Coordinator.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Senior Grants Coordinator.
• Indirect / Technical Reporting: N/A.
• Position directly Supervises: Grants Officer.

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program: Grants, Partnerships, Communications, Finance, M&E, HR, Supply Chain, Safety and Security, Field Coordinators,
• Region / Global: AMU and Technical Units.

Key External Contacts: Partners, donors, and others as appropriate.

Job Requirements
Education:

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent in international affairs, development, international political economy or other relevant subject.

Work Experience:

• 2-3 years working in grants management and proposal/ business development/ design.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of donor compliance regulations (BHA, USAID, ECHO, FCDO, GAC, etc).
• Proven previous successful experience developing projects, writing proposals and donor reports.
• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills.
• 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.

Demonstrated Managerial / Leadership Competencies:

• 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.
• Commitment to women’s rights and IRC’s vision, mission and values, including sensitivity to cultural settings.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English, spoken and written.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).

Ability to Travel:

• Willingness to travel when required.