Senior Grants Manager Full Time NEW

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview:

The Senior Grants Manager (SGM) will be responsible for managing IRC Ethiopia’s multi-million Euro Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) 2.0 projects. This role includes ensuring effective coordination and administration of RRM grants, particularly those funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Irish Aid, and other donors. The SGM will assist in or lead the development of proposals, budget realignments, and project revisions. Additionally, the SGM will review sub-award proposal packages and reports to ensure compliance with donor requirements. The SGM will work closely with IRC Ethiopia’s Emergency Rapid Response (ERR) team, Partnership Unit, operations team, and technical coordinators to deliver multisectoral emergency responses. This position is based in Addis Ababa and requires occasional travel to field sites.

Major Responsibilities Include:

• Ensure grants within his/her portfolio comply with IRC and relevant donor regulations.
• Ensure project start up follows the Start Projects On Time (SPOT) SOP. Share appropriate documents for MoU/LoU focal point ensuring MoU/LoU processes are initiated timely.
• Facilitate all Project Cycle Meetings (PCM) are set up using the latest PCM guidance for the grants within his/her portfolio, where possible in the field and ensure representation of all relevant units and the Dashboard are updated before the meeting.
• Ensure the Active Grants and Reporting Tracker and other information management systems and the grants filing on Box and OTIS are up to date.
• Track RRM projects in coordination with the ERR and Partnership Units.
• Monitor burn rates and implementation progress monthly and flag grant underperformance and compliance issues to Grants Coordinator/Sr. Grants Coordinator, relevant lead and the Senior Management Team.
• Lead and timely submit any grants amendments, including technical and budget narrative revision, budget realignments (in close collaboration with the Budgeting and Compliance Coordinator).
• Oversee sub-award proposal (both narrative and budget) ensuring alignment with the prime award.
• Review of sub-award project reports (IRC direct and Partners).
• Lead/oversee all donor reporting ensuring quality control of reports, coordinating HQ reviews and approvals before timely submission to the donor. This includes sending out the donor reporting templates at least a month before submission to relevant staff including setting clear timelines to ensure proper quality controls.

Business Development/ Proposal Development

• Coordinate and oversee new proposal development (including budget development) for the RRM grant proposals, following the donor compliance guidelines, working with and gathering input from technical coordinators, technical advisors, the Finance Department, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation staff, and the Regional Unit.
• Ensure accurate review of new proposals (including budget) prior to timely ET Finance, HQ and donor submission.
• Collaborate closely with IRC NY, UK, Sweden and Germany to ensure proposals meet internal standards, apply IRC’s Outcomes Evidence Framework (OEF), are in line with IRC Ethiopia’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and are donor compliant.

Capacity building

• Lead capacity development of relevant grants staff to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge on how to write donor reports and donor compliance
• Provide orientation and on-the-job training to the Grants Managers (if needed).

Liaison and Special Tasks

• Act as a focal point for all donor communications in his/her assigned portfolio. Communicate with donors and attend donor meetings in order to share IRC’s accomplishments as well as to stay up-to-date on the latest donor developments and requirements, with a special focus on Donor, HQ/Field communications and information exchange.
• Lead and Coordinate donor field visits and follow up that monitoring feedback of the donor is addressed.
• Oversee the distribution to IRC staff in Addis, HQ and field offices of all documentation (grant proposals, reports, budget, etc.) related to their specific programs.
• Ensure an updated inventory of all communications related to programs/donors.
• Oversee that all visibility requirements for the grants in the portfolio are met in a timely manner and properly documented and shared.
• Ensure that the donor is timely updated for any new developments, security, and context changes, etc.
• Complete special projects as assigned by the Grants Coordinator that may fall outside the job description and backstop the Grants Coordinator, as needed.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: –

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Educational Requirements:

• BA degree is required, Master’s degree International Affairs, Social Sciences, Accounting, Economics, or STEM (Science, Technology and Math) strongly preferred.

Preferred experience & skills

• 4 years of relevant experience for degree holders and 3 years of experience plus post graduate degree
• Proven track record in managing ECHO-funded projects, with a strong background in multisectoral emergency response and working within consortiums.
• Advanced MS Excel and Math skills required (skills will be tested through an exam)
• Good communication with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, cultural and diplomatic skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing requirements.
• Strong capacity to mentor and build capacity of staff.
• Strong computer skills required.
• Previous successful experience developing projects, writing winning proposals and donor reports preferred.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Previous experience implementing and/or managing RRM is a plus.

Language Skills:

• Proficient in Amharic and English writing and speaking skills. (The written English skills will be tested through an exam).