Senior Grants Manager at International Rescue Committee

As the Syrian conflict persists into its tenth year, an estimated 11 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance, of whom 4.7 million people are in acute need. In the past year, humanitarian conditions in Northeast Syria (NES) have deteriorated with new displacements following renewed clashes; increases in the cost of food and basic household items due to the depreciation of the Syrian Pound; and COVID-19. These events have further exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, and increased protection risks. IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the NES crisis and have operated in Syria since 2012. With an annual budget of $26 million and over 500 staff, IRC delivers health, child protection, early childhood education, women’s protection and empowerment, rule of law, cash assistance, and livelihood programming directly and partnership with local actors.

Scope of work

IRC Syria’s Senior Grants Manager is responsible for the management of Northeast Syria grants throughout the project cycle and will play a key role in business development efforts. The Senior Grants Manager reports directly to the Grants Coordinator and will supervise two Grants Managers. The position based in Derek with periodic travel to IRC’s field offices and project sites, as needed. The Senior Grants Manager will work closely with program staff, finance, and operations on compliance, donor regulations, reporting, and business development. In addition, this role will work alongside the Partnership unit to ensure that grant specific needs are being met by partners. The Senior Grants Manager also liaises closely with IRC’s global Award’s Management Unit.

Duties and responsibilities:

1. Grants Management and Compliance (60%)

• Take the lead in managing and overseeing IRC Northeast Syria’s grants portfolio (10-12 grants, including institutional and private donors)

• Help to ensure that IRC’s grants in Syria are well-administered and implemented in compliance with the relevant donor regulations and IRC procedures.

• Oversee and manage donor and internal reporting processes, ensuring high-quality, well-written and timely reports are submitted. Prepare and circulate templates, coordinate inputs, and review and edit in line with donor expectations and contractual deadlines. Maintain close collaboration with all relevant departments in their preparation.

• Facilitate grant opening, review and closing meetings to ensure project objectives are being met and identifying any challenges, delays or deviations from the project plan. Ensure documentation and sharing of meeting minutes and action items identified in grant meetings

• Support the Grants Coordinator and program teams to provide timely responses to donor and HQ grant-related requests.

• Ensure quality information management related to grants by overseeing the regular maintenance of online grant files (OTIS and Box), reporting calendars, and updating of internal IRC documentation and Grant Unit tools

• Support program and partnership staff in grant revisions, cost extensions, no-cost extensions, budget realignments, and other as required

• Act as a focal point for donor rules and regulations and provide support to program team on questions around compliance.

• Identify potential compliance concerns and flag them to the Grants Coordinator as required.

2. Program Design & Proposal Development (30%)

• Working with the Grants Coordinator, Grant Managers and technical leads, support the development of comprehensive program design and develop funding proposals/concept notes, appropriate to context and aligned with the country-level Strategic Action Plan;

• Support proposal development initiatives, providing coordination support between HQ, IRC’s global technical advisors, partners, finance, operations, HR, and program focal points to ensure smooth and timely proposal development processes;

• Support development of concept notes and proposals, providing both writing and editing support, as required

• Assist Grants Coordinator in donor/HQ liaison and communication as requested.

3. People Management and Capacity Building (10%)

• Directly supervise Grants Managers, building their capacity and supporting their professional development

• Build grant management capacity of field staff by assisting Grants Coordinator in trainings, and providing support in report writing, proposal development, budget management, IRC-specific tools, and other topics as/if needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in international relations or a related field, or relevant work experience Fluency in English, spoken and written.

• At least four years’ work experience in humanitarian/development setting with proven field-based experience with grants management and business development

• Experience with program design and proposal writing (including logical frameworks).

• Sound budget development capacity and financial management skills

• Prior knowledge of donor regulations (BHA, ECHO, FCDO, GFFO, SIDA, GAC, UNICEF, etc.)

• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills

• Ability to carry out responsibilities and lead tasks independently while being a strong team player for the grants team.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, and proven track record to handle pressure and improve grant management processes.

• Excellent inter-personal, cultural and diplomatic skills

• Strong capacity to mentor and build capacity of staff

• Professional fluency in English, with strong writing skills.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Equality , Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.