Grants & Partnerships Senior Officer

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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

In response to the influx of refugees in Greece, the IRC Hellas started operations in Greece in June 2015 and currently runs operations in Athens, and in Mytilene. IRC is implementing programs in the sectors of Mental Health, Child Protection, Gender Based Violence, Environmental Health, Shelter, Site Management Support, Emergency and COVID-19 preparedness and response and Economic Recovery & Development.

SCOPE

The Grants and Partnership Senior Officer will be responsible for the overall partnership management processes for IRC Greece and support grants oversight. S/he will oversee the implementation of IRC’s partnership management system (PEERS), ensuring that IRC identifies, appropriately allocates and effectively mitigates programmatic, operational, financial and reputational risk, establishing a strong foundation for strategic partnerships. S/he lead in all partnership identification, serve as the primary liaison with all sub-grantee partners, ensure compliance to donor rules and regulations while maintaining active and cooperative relationships with all the IRC Greece staff and partners.

The Partnership Senior Officer will report to the Grants Manager, will be based in Athens and will be expected to travel occasionally within the country.

Location: Athens

Duration: 6 months (fixed term) with the possibility of extension

Start date: 15 November

RESPONSIBILITIES

Partnerships start-up and implementation

 Identifies partners and follows IRCs standard tools for partnership development and follow-up;

• Lead the implementation of IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) and fosters and promotes the core partnerships values within IRC Greece

• Oversees Partners’ Pre-Award Assessments in collaboration with the Program Development Officer and advises on partners’ risks and recommends capacity building actions accordingly.

• Lead in drafting sub-grant agreements and modifications, acting as a focal point with HQ for review and approval, and facilitating signature by IRC and partners.

Project Management

 Oversees project implementation by partners and coordinates with program leads;

 Identifies and addresses successes, opportunities, shortfalls, and challenges.

 In cooperation with program leads co-owns the project implementation done by partners.

 Makes sure program leads are well-informed about project implementation

 Act as grants compliance focal point by identifying partners’ sub-grant compliance risks and incidents (such as activity implementation or reporting delays, or missing program documentation) and escalating when needed, making recommendations for further action.

Partner Relationship Building

 Working closely with the Grants Manager, the Senior Program Development Officer, the Senior Finance Officer (partnerships), the Head of Programs, Program Managers and other key members of the organization to build and maintain the relationships with partner organizations that are supporting implementation of the project, ensuring strong partnership practices;

 Coordinate with finance and program departments to ensure budgets are followed up and spent as well as internal review and clearance of all financial documentation and reporting associated with sub-grants is completed in a timely fashion.

 Ensure transparency and accountability practices toward partner organizations and smooth working relations with partners.

Partner Support and Capacity Strengthening

 Conduct/review partner capacity assessments using standard IRC tools, and design capacity strengthening programs for each partner;

 In collaboration with the programs team oversees the development of standardized approaches and best practices in strengthening the capacity of partner organizations, taking into account IRC trainings already available and existing capacity-strengthening tools;

 Coordinate with M&E colleagues to ensure partners receive training and ongoing support necessary to meet program management, accountability and M&E requirements;

 Support staff learning around, and delivery of, organizational development. Develop and/or identify optimal capacity strengthening tools and methodologies. Disseminate, promote and backstop their use by country program staff.

Reporting and Documentation

 Reflect on and document relationship management progress together with partners;

 Report on progress of partners’ implementation of the project;

 Contributes in report writing both internal and external;

 Leads partner meeting and participates in internal and external meetings;

Grants Management

 Work with the Grants Manager, to ensure grants are well administered and that program and support teams are fully informed of relevant donor regulations and IRC procedures to support on-track, on-time, and on-budget implementation;

 Contribute to reporting to ensure timely delivery of high-quality reports for donors that meet donor and IRC requirements, coordinating closely with program managers and coordinators for inputs

 Participate in Grants and Partnership Review Meetings

 Maintain filing and documentation of partnership, grant and program activities in coordination with relevant sector supervisors and coordinators to ensure institutional knowledge.

 Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Position Reports to: Grants Manager

• Internal collaborations within IRC: Senior Program Development Officer, all program teams; Finance; Supply Chain; M&E; HR; Regional Awards Management Unit; and Regional Communications team.

• External collaborations to IRC: partner organizations, donors, other NGOs

REQUIREMENTS

 University degree in related field or equivalent experience;

 2-3 years’ experience in the NGO/civil society sector and project management;

 Demonstrate understanding of donor compliance rules and grant management;

 Report writing skills, attention to detail and organization skills;

 Excellent interpersonal, cultural and diplomatic skills; Friendly and constructive approach in managing work relations and addressing challenges;

 Demonstrate ability to influence;

 Fluent in English and Greek both written and verbal;

 Ability to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal technical support

Candidates are requested to submit a Cover letter along with their CV. Applications without Cover letter will not be reviewed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position will be based out in Athens, Greece. Flexible remote working is possible. Occasional travel within country expected.

Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with position.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer 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 or disability.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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Qualifications