UK and US Partnerships Advisor – grants and contracts

Trócaire works in partnership with local organisations in developing countries, and with people in Ireland, to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice. Together, we create positive and lasting change.

Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

We have 5 Goals: Defend Human Rights; Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice; Ensure Women & Girls’ Protection, Voice & Influence; Saving Lives and Protecting Human Dignity and Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.

Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.

Trócaire is developing its capabilities and adapting its systems to position itself to bid for and meet donor requirements in relation to commercial tenders, in particular those issued by the UK’s new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The UK and US Partnerships Advisor will be responsible for developing Trócaire’s engagement and partnerships with UK government departments, INGOs, private sector enterprises and others. The advisor works closely with Trócaire’s HQ and country teams to identify opportunities and increase the UK Government grants and commercial contracts funding portfolio in line with organisational targets. The post holder will also be responsible for scoping relevant US Government funding opportunities and training and supporting country offices with accessing such funding (grants).

The successful candidate will work as part of the Global Partnerships and Funding team (GPFU) with staff based in Ireland and in each of Trócaire’s country offices overseas and will liaise closely with other Directorates including Corporate Services (Finance, Human Resources and Standards and Compliance), Internal Audit, Strategy, Programmes and Advocacy and the International Directorate management teams.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.
Reporting to the Global Partnerships and Funding Manager, this is a contract of indefinite duration and can be based in one of the Trócaire’s offices in Maynooth, Belfast or in London, (desk space provided by a sister agency). The post will also work closely with the Head of GPFU, UK Partnerships Advisor-Grants and the Finance Projects Manager.
Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives.
Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. All offers of employment will be subject to pre-employment checks including satisfactory references and appropriate screening (e.g. police/garda vetting, counter terrorism and anti-trafficking). Trócaire also participates in the InterAgency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and all employees will be subject to this as part of contract of employment.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Strategy Development, Implementation and Capacity Development
• Contribute to the ongoing development, implementation and monitoring of Trócaire’s organisational strategy on UK Government funding for development and humanitarian programmes.
• Building on the work completed to-date, support work with relevant units to ensure the readiness of Trócaire systems and processes to meet the requirements of UK commercial contract bid preparation and compliance .
• Lead the assessment of Trócaire’s readiness to access and manage USAID funding (not commercial contracts) and scope grant management/compliance requirement for US Government funding streams in conjunction with the Compliance Unit.
• Lead the development of a US Government funding strategy.
• Keep abreast of key strategic developments and emerging issues within the UK & US Government with regard to funding and provide regular updates on these to Trócaire management.
• Develop and provide training on US Government funding.
• Provide support and training on consortia working and lead the development of new tools as appropriate.

Coordination & Communication
• Ensure the timely identification and tracking of funding opportunities from the UK Government including open calls for grants and commercial contracts and US Government grant opportunities.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating Trócaire’s Funding Management Information System (Salesforce) on funding opportunities and dissemination to teams.
• Lead the development of global level/multi-country US Government grant applications with country teams as needed.

Networking, Representation and Visibility
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with UK Government, peer INGOs, private sector enterprises and others.
• In coordination with the UK Government Advisor, (based in Northern Ireland) participate in peer networking and other events in London, including BOND working groups and others as relevant.
• Represent Trócaire with key stakeholders, organise events and ensure Trócaire is profiled within the UK sector.
• Develop a strategy around US networking and representation particularly with country offices.

Prepositioning, Proposal/Tender Development and Quality Assurance
• Liaise regularly with country management and GPFU staff to identify funding priorities and match them to available opportunities; work with country teams to ensure Trócaire is well positioned to apply for funding opportunities through profiling, engagement with UK/US Government staff and consortium scoping.
• Maintain familiarity with UK & US Government requirements for proposal quality and compliance and provide support to country teams to include them in proposals/tenders.
• The post holder will support, and on occasion lead, the project management of contract bids/ grants as they arise and support field teams in all aspects of the bid process.
• Project Manage/Write selected funding applications/commercial tenders including travelling to country offices to provide support to applications and/or training staff and partners.
• Work with the Finance Project Manager in the development of commercial proposals and advise on budgeting for US applications.
• Develop capacity statements and other marketing materials.

Other
• Travel to/support remotely field offices responding to tenders and applications to provide hands-on support as required.
• Provide regular written updates to management and other staff as required
• Attend/Join regular meetings and trainings in Trócaire HQ and elsewhere.
• Participate fully as a member of the GPFU team, contributing to joint initiatives such as the quarterly and annual funding workshops, annual work planning and in strategic planning.
• Undertake other duties as may be assigned by the Global Partnerships and Funding Manager that are consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility.
Behavioural Competencies in Line with Trócaire’s Competency Framework
• Leading: Reflecting our values of Participation & Accountability, acts to inspire and lead others to achieve their potential, demonstrating Trócaire’s values with integrity in order to achieve our organisation’s objectives.
• Communicating: Reflecting our value of Participation, being one organisation, communicating clearly and transparently across, teams, units, divisions, locations and other external organisations. Getting our message across with impact.
• Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as One Trócaire organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
• Stewardship of Resources: Reflecting our value of Accountability and decision-making around the best use of resources. Using our resources transparently, sustainably, ethically, fairly & with integrity; acknowledging Trócaire’s reputation in the use of resources.
• Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability & Perseverance, getting a quality job done through effective performance, planning and decision-making.
• Continual Improvement & Learning: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, constantly looking to learn and develop self, employees, and partners to better fulfil Trócaire’s’ mission.
• Flexibility & Change: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, adapts positively to change and to different ways of doing things; manages or takes part in change processes in a way that is appropriate to role in the organisation.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements
(E) Qualification • Third level qualification in international development, humanitarian response or other relevant area.
(E) Experience • 5+ years’ experience in the area of institutional donor-oriented business development, at least 2 years of which should be in developing and implementing commercial contracts preferably in an NGO environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of the UK and US government funding landscape and a track record of developing successful funding proposals and partnerships across the spectrum of UK & US grants and commercial contracts.
• Demonstrable previous experience with US Government funding mechanisms.
(E) Skills • Good judgment, ability to think strategically, make informed decisions and implement them.
• Excellent networking, interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Strong planning and organisational skills; ability to prioritise tasks
• Ability to write clearly for a range of audiences. High level of English written and oral communication skills.
• Computer proficiency, especially in the use of information management systems (eg Salesforce)
Project Management
(E) Qualities • Self-starter, comfortable working remotely with proven ability to deliver exceptional results in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Confident in interacting with senior donor and peer representatives.
• Excellent strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Ability to work as part of a global team and on own initiative
• Resilience and ability to deliver excellent results against tight deadlines
Creativity and innovative thinking
(E) Other • Ability and willingness to travel within Europe, USA and to Trócaire’s programme countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, sometimes at short notice.
• A flexible approach.
• Valid permission/eligibility to live and work in Ireland and/or the UK as relevant.
Person Specification – Desirable
(D) Qualification • Relevant qualification at Masters Level.
(D) Experience • Experience of working overseas in international development or humanitarian settings.
• Experience of working in the private sector on UK government commercial tenders.
(D) Skills • Programme development and design.
• Budgeting and commercial finance skills.