Grants Management Manager At Danish Refugee Council

Duty Station: Yangon with regular travel to DRC Area Offices within Myanmar

*Note: Temporary duty station will be in Dhaka, Bangladesh, until visa for Myanmar is obtained

Reporting to: Head of Programme

Direct Report: Grants Specialists and Grants Officer

Overall purpose of the role:

This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to donor and internal DRC procedures and guidelines within the country for project and grants cycle management at fundraising, kick-off, implementation and close out stages. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides staff with support and/or technical guidance related to grant management.

The role leads on the development of high-quality funding proposals, advises on compliance with donor and internal DRC rules and regulations, coordinates high-quality donor reporting, oversees information management, and leads grants management capacity-building efforts.

It is likely that the above will be undertaken remotely during at least the first half of 2023, however once access to Myanmar is obtained, in person trainings, workshops, , field support missions undertaking coaching, mentoring etc. will all be vital in achieving the objectives of this role.

Responsibilities:

Grant and Project Cycle Management

• Oversee and refine grants and project management systems and processes, including related to project cycle management minimum standards
• Serve as key focal point for ensuring that project teams meet minimum standards for project cycle management, including supporting with trainings and capacity support
• Organize and facilitate proposal development, grants kick-off, review, and closing meetings with all DRC business areas (programme and support staff)
• Update, streamline, and disseminate grants management tools and resources
• Develop and maintain up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of donor and government policies and support implementing teams to ensure full compliance
• Draft, review and provide support in the negotiation of project agreements, including sub-agreements, teaming agreements and memoranda of understanding
• Lead contract revision and support associated program re-design with project teams to address any change in context and delays
• Lead monthly grants review meetings to proactively review any challenges or delays in project target or spend
• Keep the Head of Programme informed of any projected inabilities to meet contractual obligations, timely report submission and spend rates/significant budget variances. Be able to actively mitigate risks through proposing remedial solutions.
• Serve as key focal point for communication efforts with internal and external stakeholders in coordination with global and regional communication teams
• Lead donor reporting processes by coordinating, compiling, editing and providing feedback to ensure the development of high-quality narratives, financial and data reports and timely submissions
• Maintain and update DRC’s online Grants Management System platforms (Dynamics) and Grants Department information management system

Proposal development

• Conduct regular donor mapping exercises and support the Head of Programme in identifying new funding opportunities in line with the country programme strategy
• Lead (together with the Head of Programme) on donor engagement and internal discussion with program and support staff related to funding opportunities
• Lead the planning and coordination of the development of high-quality project proposals, including narratives, budgets, logical frameworks, budget narratives, work plans, staffing lists, and other required annexes. Identify external support, as needed.
• Ensure proposals developed are linked to country and global DRC strategies, donor priorities and global standards
• Serve as lead writer for proposals, as needed, including coordinating design workshops, liaising with staff, and conducting necessary primary and secondary research for needs assessments and analyses, along with program staff

Strengthening partnership approaches

• Coordinate with Programme and Partnership specialist staff to support the development of strategic partnerships in line with DRC Myanmar partnership strategy

External relations

• Prepare necessary documentation, such as reports, presentations, and organizational documentation, to share with DRC stakeholders, including briefings for DRC staff and external entities requesting information on DRC’s programmes
• Serve as the primary focal point for donors and partners on all grants related issues

Other

• Provide temporary or ad-hoc support to program teams, as needed, including support with conducting assessments and scoping new program areas
• Direct supervision of the Grants Specialists (2) and Grants Officer (1) by supporting and strengthening their capacity to ensure a responsive and well-organized grants department.
• Discuss job expectations, set objectives, and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding their performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.
• Maintain open and professional relations with colleagues, building trust, and enabling clear communication and planning

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant work experience with an NGO, donor or other organization in the humanitarian sector
• Experience in writing high quality proposals in English for large donors, such as EU, ECHO, BHA, Scandinavian donors, UNHCR, and other UN agencies
• Knowledge of a wide-range of donor rules and regulations
• Knowledge of project management cycle minimum standards and related tools and procedures
• Strong capacity building skills – including specifically with design and facilitation of impactful and contextually-adapted trainings and workshops that can be run remotely
• Experience working remotely, including an understanding of appropriate tools and processes which can facilitate effective and intentional remote working
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment
• Experience working in complex institutional environments – and developing close working relationships with a diverse range of colleagues
• Excellent communication, representation, coordination, training and writing skills
• Highly motivated and hard-working, with strong attention to detail
• High degree of flexibility ability to work in rapidly changing contexts and to operate in a physically demanding working environment

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Degree (Master’s degree) in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• English fluent
• Myanmar an advantage

Key stakeholders:

• Senior Management Team
• All programme and support staff
• Donors

Conditions

Contract: DRC will offer the successful applicant a 12-month contract with the possibility of extension. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates. The position is placed in Employment Band F-management.

Further information

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk