Grants Manager

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 was 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 240 staff.

IRC UK launched its first Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) programme in the UK called RISE in 2021, working in partnership with local councils, to provide integration support to resettled refugees in Southeast England. The IRC now supports refugees and asylum seekers throughout England with employability, wellbeing and integration support as well as deliver capacity strengthening activities through our Healing Classrooms teacher trainings.

The Purpose of the Role

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

Key Working Relationships:

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

Key Accountabilities:

Business Development:

• Identify, investigate, track, and support positioning for funding opportunities for IRC UK in in collaboration with regional business development and RAI UK management
• 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
• Assist in compiling and editing proposal budgets and ensure communication and coordination between all departments (finance, programs, and operations) in drafting of budgets
• Provide weekly update to RAI UK on business development, including go/no-go, proposals submitted, wins / losses, etc;
• Drive IRC best practice in business development, including MEL, PEERS, financial planning, the IRC Way, etc;
• Allocate business development tasks and responsibilities to proposal and opportunity team;
• Maintenance of BD records: Pipeline , Partner tracker, BD Notebook (partner meetings, Go-No/Go, positioning, etc.,)

Grants & Contract Management

• Ensure that grants and contracts are implemented in compliance with IRC and relevant donor regulations, as well as maintenance of updated grant files and grant management tools;
• Support Project Managers with quarterly project implementation meetings, following up on any action points related to donor communication and flagging any concerns to RAI leadership in a timely manner;
• Assist project managers, 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;
• Support the MEL team to develop strong Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning practices throughout the portfolio;
• Coordinate modifications to any agreements or projects (i.e. extensions, indicator changes, budget realignments), as necessary;
• Act as focal point for communications with Regional Program Support Team (RPST) around grants administration and compliance functions;
• Act as Compliance officer for UK grants such as the Refugee Employability Project (REP), ensuring adherence to contract requirements such as social value and KPIs, standard contract T&Cs;
• Coordinate with donors on grants management, project progress, monitoring and evaluation.

Partnership Management

• Support in stakeholder analysis and potential partner identification on business development, live projects and for future opportunities;
• Oversee the process of negotiating pre-award agreements with potential partners;
• Work with Programme Managers to keep Partner Tracker up to date;
• Review and advise on all partner agreements (including log frame, budget, spending and workplan); ensure review of partner agreements and provide recommendations
• Ensure 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.
• Support Programme Officer with partner vetting and due diligence process in line with IRC’s policies and standards and support collaborative risk management and project design
• Support 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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Minimum two years experience working in an NGO and with local community organisations or charity partners;
• Some knowledge of UK donor regulations and priorities such as Home Office and Local authorities;
• Experience coordinating and writing proposals for public, private and institutional donors;
• Experience with contract funding mechanisms
• Proficient writing and editing skills, previous experience preparing donor reports for UK and European donors;
• The ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, partners and clients in English;
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual setting;
• 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, drive accountability, set priorities, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines;