Grants and Partnerships Manager (Ukraine response)

BACKGROUND

Since 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through over 20 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 were 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. IRC UK comprises approximately 180 staff. The IRC UK launched its first programme in the UK last year, working in partnership with local councils, to provide integration support to resettled refugees in Southeast England and has since expanded to providing education support to teachers and is now responding to arrivals from Ukraine across England.

The Purpose of the Role

The Grants and Partnership Manager ensures the quality of and efficient processes for proposal development and grants management; and manages the delivery of the IRC UK’s partnership ambitions under the Ukraine response and Strategic Action Plan.

Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to Head of UK Programmes. Position works closely with the Regional Grants Advisor, Senior Program Development Advisor and RAI UK project leads.

Key Accountabilities:

Partnership Management

• Play a lead role in stakeholder analysis and potential partner mapping in order to build strong relationships with a range of local actors, identifying opportunities for mutual learning and development.
• Lead partner vetting and due diligence process in line with IRC’s policies and standards and support collaborative risk management and project design.
• Oversee the process of negotiating teaming arrangements with potential partners;
• Review and advise on all partner agreements (including log frame, budget, spending and workplan); ensure review of partner agreements and provide recommendations
• Ensure and coordinate adherence to IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (the ‘PEER System’ or ‘PEERS’) in the selection and management of IRC UK’s partnerships.
• Co-lead the review of the performance of the partner, of the IRC (including on the basis of partner feedback), and of the partnership, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, fostering ongoing partnerships beyond the sub-award project cycle.

Grants Management

• Ensure that grants are implemented in compliance with IRC and relevant donor regulations, as well as maintenance of updated grant files;
• Assist program technical leads, operations staff, and partners with understanding the reporting and other compliance requirements on their grants/sub-grants.
• Manage all reporting deadlines, develop calendars for report development and coordinate report compilation and review;
• Coordinate modifications to any agreements or projects (i.e. extensions, indicator changes, budget realignments), as necessary.
• Supports Project Cycle Meetings (PCMs) and act as focal point for communications with Regional Program Support Team (RPST) around grants administration and compliance functions
• Coordinate with donors on grants management, project progress, monitoring and evaluation.

Business Development:

• Investigate, track, and support positioning and planning for funding opportunities for IRC UK and the Ukraine response in coordination with UK and regional fundraising teams;
• Develop, lead, and track proposal development processes, directly coordinating and managing the development of proposals and concept notes in collaboration with multiple stakeholders;
• Ensure proposals are timely tracked with standard IRC tracking tools (e.g. FM01, OTIS).
• Assist in compiling and editing proposal budgets and ensure communication and coordination between all departments (finance, programs, and operations) in drafting of budgets

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Experience working in an NGO and with local community organisations or charity partners;
• Knowledge of UK donor regulations and priorities such as Home Office and Local authorities;
• Superior writing and editing skills, previous experience preparing donor reports and proposals for UK and European donors;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills: the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, partners and clients in English;
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual setting;
• Solid diplomatic and networking skills: the ability to effectively manage a variety of internal and external relationships;
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office, especially Excel;
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines;

IRC UK strives to be an equal opportunities employer. IRC-UK is committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees, and we seek to ensure diversity in our workforce regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC UK welcomes applications from all candidates, including underrepresented groups and refugees who have the right to work in the UK.

IRC UK will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application and/or interview process, and for essential job functions if appointed to a role. Please contact us if you may need such adjustments.