The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
Scope of Work
With the supervision and guidance of the Senior Program Coordinator, Somalia, the Grants and Funding Manager will be responsible for ensuring efficient grants management and funds mobilization for the country program. The position will link closely with the program and operation team members at Nairobi and field offices, and various technical units. The Grants and Funding Manager will also line manage the volunteer based at Nairobi.
Job Description/Responsibilities Fund Raising
- Develop, update and implement a well designed funding plan for the country program in line with country program strategy, working in coordination with the HQ business development team members
- Researching and collecting information from external and internal sources about potential funding opportunities for the country program
- Identify, assess and approach new donors and represent the IRC as required with donors together with relevant program and management team members
- Analyze and provide advice to program staff and senior management on the funding policies and formal requirements of donors
- Build fund raising capacity within the programme team and training staff on donor relations, proposal writing, reporting, and donor contract management Program Design & Proposal Development
- Draft quality donor proposals and other grant documentation designed in collaboration with the Senior Program Coordinator (SPC), program staff and technical advisors, ensuring that IRC’s Program Framework, Strategic Planning goals, and Design, Monitoring & Evaluation guidelines are incorporated into proposals and projects.
- Work with the SPC in proposal and budget development process for all public and private-sector donors relevant to the country program
- Monitor overall donor issues (strategy, partnerships) and funding trends by undertaking research of donor websites, attending coordination meetings and discussions with IRC country, regional teams and the technical advisers
- Working with the guidance of the SPC, work closely with program managers/ coordinators and the operations (Finance and logs) teams on all grants related tasks, specifically focused on compliance and grants administration
- Maintain the grants and report tracking system to ensure all grant files are organized and well managed for planning and preparation of donor reports and project monitoring. Maintain grants and sub-grant management system, including grant files, project and financial reporting documentation, and monitoring systems and tools to ensure sub-grant compliance.
- Support the organization and follow-up of grant opening meetings, monthly grant review meetings, and grant close out meetings. Support program teams in monitoring program activities, work plans and BvAs on a monthly basis to ensure program quality in collaboration with the SPC and program managers/coordinators.
- Undertake training for program and operation staff at country office and field office level on grants management related issues.
- Provide technical guidance on IRC and donor regulations to ensure compliance within program implementation and reporting. Raise compliance issues with program staff, finance staff, SPC and Country Director as necessary.
- Manage all internal and external reporting, ensuring high-quality, well-written and timely reports meeting donor and IRC requirements, with support from the SPC and program managers/ coordinators.
- Prepare narrative program reports in accordance with donor designated formats, including OFDA/USAID, ECHO, DFID, EC and other donors as required. Ensure that draft reports disseminated for review and feedback by senior management team, relevant technical advisers, and HQ staff prior to submitting the final report to donor.
- Consolidate monthly internal program progress reports based on input from program managers, including tracking progress on program indicators and reporting on key program highlights/issues.
- Preparation and update of country program and specific sectoral information sheets. Provide relevant communications information as necessary for dissemination to donors, regional office and HQ.
- Work with the SPC and Program Coordinators in supporting development of strong data collection and monitoring & evaluation plans within each program and proposal. This includes developing logical frameworks and indicators with technical input from program staff.
- Undertake field visits to the offices at Somalia to orient about the program, understand the monitoring systems in place and provide recommendations on the same
- Undertake training for the field team members on program monitoring systems (working with the Coordinators and Managers)
Required Competencies
- Bachelor’s degree in international relations or other relevant field; Masters preferred
- 3 to 5 years of INGO field experience in a similar position: grant management, proposal development (program narratives and budgets) and donor reporting.
- Knowledge of UN (UNHCR/ UNDP/ UNICEF/WHO), US (USAID/OFDA), EU (ECHO/ EC) and UK (DFID) donor regulations, procedures and requirements
- Proven experience of raising funds from USAID, ECHO, DFID, EU, UN, private donors, multilateral agencies etc
- Proven ability to develop winning proposals to public and private-sector donors
- Ability to represent IRC to donors and external actors as necessary
- Excellent written and spoken English essential
- Excellent organizational skills, ability to determine priorities and attention to detail a must
- Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player
- Willingness to travel to the field as and when needed
- High-level of knowledge and practice with Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. required
- Work in a multisectoral/ multicultural team- patience, cultural sensitivity and application of contextual understanding in day to day work
- Ability to work with tight deadlines for proposal development/ information needs
