BACKGROUND
Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York and London. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 28 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.
IRC-UK
IRC-UK was established in London in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with European policy-makers on behalf of the people we serve. Since its establishment IRC-UK has grown rapidly and is now acknowledged for its high quality project management, technical expertise in governance and rights and economic recovery, and innovative thinking on early recovery and gender based violence. The IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels and Geneva. IRC-UK comprises approximately 100 staff across five departments.
The Awards Management Unit (AMU)
Established in January 2016, the AMU is a global unit with staff based in Bonn, Berlin, New York, London, Nairobi, and Amman. It has responsibility for identifying, securing, and handling all funding from statutory/government donors. The unit is organised into five pillars: Strategic Partnerships, Programmes and Grants Support, Compliance and Policy, Business Development, and Training & Curriculum Design.
The AMU is a bridge between donors and the field: providing expert technical advice to the field, while maintaining portfolio-level visibility to ensure consistency and compliance, and manage risk. This unit ensures that donor compliance policies and procedures are implemented consistently, and supports all staff working across the grants management cycle for all restricted funding from global government sources.
The unit operates within a matrix management system across teams in Germany, the US and the UK, driving functional integration between all relevant units and staff, in collaboration with the Senior Vice President AMU, Vice President, AMU, and the Senior Vice President for Europe in relation to overarching issues with European donors.
The Purpose of the Role
As the Portfolio Manager (Grants & Frameworks), you will be responsible for the donor oversight and overall management of assigned multi-country, multi-component frameworks and grants including the Irish Aid Strategic Partnership, Global Affairs Canada Covid-19 award, Sida Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Programme, in addition to providing support to other frameworks/grants as required. The Portfolio Manager (Grants & Frameworks) will ensure coordination within the AMU pillars and across all components of grants in your portfolio to ensure the successful and effective management of framework contracts; will be responsible for managing the external relationship primarily with Irish Aid, Global Affairs Canada and other assigned framework donors, and internally, as the key point of contact for the relationship within the IRC.
Key Working Relationships
· In this role you report to the Head of Frameworks and work closely with other Frameworks Team members globally.
· Supports other AMU pillars, especially Business Development Team, Programs and Grants Support and Compliance and Policy teams, including country & regional offices globally.
Scope and Authority
The Portfolio Manager (Grants & Frameworks) will have authority and responsibility for the oversight, coordination and management of assigned frameworks/grants. This position will also support the oversight and management of other framework contracts as needed. You will be responsible for managing the relationship with the donor, sharing updates, challenges and progress, and delivering on annual meetings.
Responsibility for Resources:
§ Responsible for keeping track of and reporting on progress against contractual milestones, and notifying the Head of Frameworks of any issues or opportunities which have arisen.
§ Write communications, reports, amendments and funding applications to the donor.
§ This position has a direct budget to manage with supervision and approval by the Head of Frameworks.
§ This position has line management responsibility for an Advisor.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Oversight and overall management of assigned frameworks:
§ In collaboration with the Head of Frameworks, managing the IRC’s strategic relationship with assigned framework donors, such as Irish Aid, Global Affairs Canada, Sida and other donors as needed; building strong working relationships with key individuals within the donor head office and embassies if relevant; managing the IRC’s profile and engagement with the donor; and acting as the key internal point of contact on the assigned frameworks.
§ Ensuring high quality, compliant and timely delivery of contractual requirements; including reports, audits, evaluations and funding applications.
§ Providing effective, relevant and timely advice on systems and processes for managing, delivering and reporting on framework agreements.
§ Monitoring performance and framework expenditure, through field visits; regular check in with the Programs & Grants Support team and finance UK.
§ Advising on standard donor compliance rules and regulations as required by IRC’s internal policies and best practice.
§ Designing and establishing the content of Framework proposals based on research, donor priorities, IRC needs, and input from IRC senior managers/leaders including the International Programmes Department, Regional Teams, and Program and Quality Support Unit (PQSU).
§ Identifying points of common approach with donor’s strategic priorities and the IRC, build connections and leverage IRC’s track record to grow Framework or donor opportunities.
§ Providing briefings on donor engagement to date and key messages to country teams receiving visits from the donor; or technical unit/ or leaders meeting with the donor.
§ Facilitating and accompany IRC’s meetings with the donor in HQ and in the field if relevant.
§ Contributing to internal discussions and development on compliance policies, processes and guidance issued to Country Offices/Technical Units, as well for organisation-wide initiatives in relation to framework donors.
§ Ensuring guidance and relevant materials are in line with donor requirements to support the development of high-quality proposals and reports on time.
§ Representing the IRC at donor meetings and conferences, presenting the work of the organisation.
§ Providing support on the Communities of Practice and ensure the Grants team play an active role in this initiative.
§ Promoting and facilitating cross department collaboration, ensuring regular liaison between IRC- UK and International Finance Department and AMU.
§ Playing an active role in the global IRC network as required, with a particular emphasis on maintaining effective partnerships between IRC-UK, IRC Inc and all regional offices.
§ Other duties as assigned.**
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
· Demonstrable understanding of humanitarian aid and development programming
· Deep understanding and experience of European institutional donors and their requirements, (e.g. ECHO, EuropeAid, DFID, GIZ, Irish Aid and Sida)
· Experience in building and cultivating relationships with institutional donors
· Substantial proposal writing and portfolio management experience
· Significant experience in developing, negotiating and managing framework proposals / or multi-region / consortia proposals for development and humanitarian donors
· Experience in quality assuring, writing, reviewing and editing narrative and financial reports with excellent attention to detail.
· Experience of working effectively under pressure
· Ability to build good working relationships and work collaboratively and effectively with programme and field staff from a distance
· Organized self-starter and able to handle competing priorities, deadlines and identify strategic and critical issues
· Solid organisational skills, detail oriented, ability to multi task and prioritise tasks, and to learn quickly
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; the ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people within and across departments in a multi-cultural environment
· Both a team player and independent performer in a very fast-paced environment
· Good IT skills (Word, Outlook, Excel)
Desirable
· Masters or Degree, preferably in a subject related to IRC’s work (International Relations, Refugee or Migration Studies, Development Studies, Public Policy), or equivalent experience
· French and Spanish language skills desired
· Interest and understanding of advocacy work
· Experience in developing countries, preferably in the context of an NGO or International Organisation (UN or major donor or similar)
· Experience of working in a global organisation, with complex reporting relationship
IRC-UK is committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination for all applicants and employees. IRC-UK seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce regardless of gender, race, religious belief, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. IRC-UK welcomes applications from all candidates, including refugees who have the right to work in the UK.
How to apply
Please apply via our website