Grants Officer ( Syria Country Program )

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 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 IRC delivers innovative programs focused on lifesaving assistance and delivery of humanitarian aid to millions of individuals each year. In approximately 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, the IRC works to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including the climate crisis, to survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Contextual background

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 7.6 million people are internally displaced and 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 4.8 million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 4 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes, and infrastructure will take years to repair.

With an annual budget in excess of $140 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1,250 staff in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, and livelihood programming. Our work in these complicated settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding, and coordination. In Syria, the IRC began operating in 2012 and currently provides multi-sector programming in the areas of Health, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Protection, Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), and Early Childhood Development (ECD). The main office for the Syria response is based in Amman with programs being implemented by the IRC and its local and international non-governmental organization partners in northeast and northwest Syria.

Job Overview/Summary

The Grants Department ensures donor-funded awards are implemented on-time, on-track, and on-budget. The Grants Officer will provide administrative and other support for the Whole of Syria Grants Department, including coordinating data collection, consolidating and tracking key information, reviewing and managing internal and external reporting requests, scheduling meetings, and supporting other Grants Department tasks as needed. The position will be based in Amman and will also coordinate closely with colleagues in northeast Syria, Turkey, and, as needed, with staff located in the IRC’s headquarters offices. We are looking for a resourceful candidate with good planning and problem-solving abilities. Must be a quick learner who works well in a dynamic role who is able to organize, track, and manage complex information. This position will collaborate closely with programs, operations, and the partnership departments of the IRC.

Major Responsibilities

· Assist in the management of a diverse and complex multi-sectoral grant portfolio including through timely and accurate report and information development for both internal and external audiences

· Work across departments to develop and manage a calendar for project cycle meetings (PCM), including across seven unique program sectors, all operations departments, senior management team members, and partners across Syria

· Circulate the meeting invites and coordinate the monthly, bi-monthly, and/or quarterly PCMs for the portfolio, including consolidating and storing planning files as well as circulating key action points and following up to ensure items are completed

· Ensure comprehensive information management by managing and organizing grant files, supporting donor audits, and updating internal IRC documentation

· Conduct quarterly data and information audits to identify gaps and ensure information is appropriately stored

· Perform other duties as needed or requested by the supervisor

Key Working Relationships

· Position Reports to Grants Coordinator

· Other key contacts: Sr. Grants Managers, Grants Managers

· Internal: Finance team, Partnerships team, Program teams, Supply Chain team

Qualifications

· Ability to develop relationships across multiple departments, communicate clearly, and organize and manage complex data and information

· Excellent word processing and computer skills, particularly MS Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point)

· Good critical thinking skills, including the ability to both interpret and manage complex data

· Involved in coordinating and developing written communications pieces (e.g. donor reports, success stories, case studies)

· Experience working in international nongovernmental organizations, particularly in the humanitarian aid or development field

· University degree in international affairs, social studies, international relations, journalism or related sectors, or relevant professional experience

· Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English is required

Working Environment: The position is based in Amman.

Travel: Based on business needs, travel to NE & Turkey when needed.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and makes sure policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality: The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the IRC, our diverse clients, partners, and staff have the power, voice, and agency to shape programs and operations. We actively work to end all forms of systemic discrimination and foster an inclusive working environment where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and supported. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. The IRC encourages women to apply and work with us to reach the people most in need of humanitarian assistance, such as women, widows, and children. The IRC is committed to providing a decent and safe work environment that considers needs of women in the workplace, including through maternity leave and safety protocols.

Security: The overall security situation in Jordan is relatively calm, especially in Amman. The Jordanian government is stable, and civil unrest is largely peaceful. However, Jordan’s generosity in hosting refugees from Palestine, Iraq, and now Syria has created huge strains on the country’s economy and infrastructure. The IRC office is in a modern professional building.

The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.