Grants Management Specialist (Business Development)

WHO ARE WE?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Grants Management Specialist (Business Development) is a key member of the Programme Support Unit (PSU) responsible for leading the coordination and submission of timely and compliant concept note and proposal packages, which reflect the shared vision, mission, or objectives which are in alignment with DRC Afghanistan’s mandate and strategic priorities. The GMS will provide thorough responses to information requests from internal and external sources, and lead on the submission of timely grant amendment or extension requests within the permitted timeline outlined in the grant agreement. The GMS manages donor reporting workflows and processes between programme, MEAL, and finance teams to ensure the timely and quality development and review of reports, strictly managing deadlines within and across grants. Throughout the grant cycle, the GMS will lead initiatives to identify, research, and write case studies for internal and external audiences, packaging communication outputs that center on evidence to further illustrate the impact of programming and importance of funding. The role has a country focus and ensures full compliance with DRC and Donor procedures and guidelines within the country, including compliance advisory to various departments. Upon delegation by the Programme Development and Quality Manager (PDQM) and in coordination with the Head of Programmes (HoP), the GMS may support business engagement and fundraising efforts, including contributing to the review of the country fundraising strategy; planning donor engagement and preparing pitches to secure funds; managing and maintaining records of donor engagement; and identifying funding opportunities through relations and portals. The GMS may also support on other grants management responsibilities as needed, including reviewing and negotiating contractual terms and facilitating grants opening, review, and close-out meetings.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

1. Business Development (Proposal Development)

• Facilitate internal Go/No-Go meetings with Area Office, Programme, and Finance staff to ensure an informed and participatory decision for new funding opportunities.
• Coordinate proposal development processes, including drafting and producing high quality concept notes and proposals; reviewing budgets; prearing annexes; and quality assurance/compliance checks.
• Submit timely grant amendment and extension requests, closely adhering to contractual terms and processes
• Strengthen organisational capacity in business development, including enforcing clear and structured processes and providing trainings for Area Office and Country Office staff.

2. Business Engagement and Fundraising

• Support the PDQM and HoP in identifying new funding opportunities through external relations and portals.
• Contribute to the review of the country funding strategy, including mapping of existing and potential donors and their priorities/historical programming in Afghanistan.
• Assist the PDQM in managing and maintaining records of donor engagement, including key focal points.
• Source intelligence for upcoming funding opportunities and external engagement.
• Support the development of donors relations and prepare pitches to secure funds.

3. Donor Reporting

• Support the development and preparation of high-quality, timely reports for donors and partners on implementation progress, ensuring all donor reporting requirements are met and demonstrate DRCs capacity across Afghanistan.
• Manage reporting workflows, processes, and deadlines between programme, MEAL, and finance teams to ensure the timely and quality development and review of reports.
• Maintain and regularly circulate a reporting schedule.
• Work closely with the MEAL department to ensure credible, best-practice monitoring and reporting of activities.
• Update internal reporting workflow and guidelines, as needed.

4. External Communications

• Increase visibility and ensure leadership positioning through developing strategic communication materials, such as sector profiles, impact reports, programme briefings, and other relevant pieces
• Serve as the main gatekeeper of high-quality communication activities for the entire portfolio, drafting original content and providing strategic guidance on positioning and messaging of all reporting and communications materials.
• Coordinate with Regional and HQ Communications, Advocacy, Social Media, and Press colleagues to maximize the impact and visibility of external materials
• Provide advisory on donor communication guidelines and requirements.
• Provide thorough responses to information requests from internal and external sources.
• Support the PDQM in maintaining strategic engagements with country donor representatives.

5. Grants Management

• Update and circulate the Grants Log on a regular basis, including the pipeline.
• Develop and update internal project summaries, reflecting reporting requirements, donor compliance advisory, and programme/MEAL overview.
• Promote internal version control of proposals and grant amendments through close coordination with the GMS (Grants Management).
• Participate or co-lead grants opening, review, and close-out meetings with programme and support departments.
• Provide clear advisory on donor and internal compliance requirements.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least 3 years’ experience in programme development, reporting, or grants management in an INGO
• Proven experience in successfully developing winning proposals
• Experience with grant management, donor reporting, and communications
• Ability to live and work in an insecure and changing environment

Education/qualifications:

• University degree in international relations, humanitarian or development studies, business administration, or other relevant field
• Superb writing and editing skills
• Excellent coordination skills and strategic thinking
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to coordinate inputs from various departments
• Ability to work in a deadline driven environment and undertake a proactive approach
• Knowledge of donor rules, regulations, and procedures including but not limited to US, European, and UK donors, EU funding mechanisms, and UN agencies

Languages:

• Professional fluency in written and spoken English;
• Understanding of local languanges (Dari and Pashto) an asset