United States of America: Global Grants Adviser

Organization: Finn Church Aid
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 16 Nov 2014

Global Grants Adviser

Location:Washington DC

Reporting to:Director of Funding

Manages:None

Annual salary:Competitive

Background

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish development cooperation organisation and the second largest provider of humanitarian aid with over 60 years of experience. FCA operates in over twenty countries across four continents and specializes in supporting local communities in three priority areas: communities’ right to livelihood, right to education and right to peace.

FCA work is based on rights, which means that our operations are guided by equality, non-discrimination and responsibility, working with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political convictions.

In recent years, Finn Church Aid has been developing partnerships with a range of international donors and networks to strengthen its programmes in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Purpose of Role

The Global Grants function within FCA is tasked with identifying and pursuing new program funding opportunities with institutional donors in the development and humanitarian sector to enhance FCA’s contribution to the achievement of the wider organization’s mission. FCA organizes its work across three themes: right to education, right to livelihoods and right to peace.

The Global Grants Adviser builds FCA’s position and profile with key stakeholders to maximize funding opportunities for its program countries – identifying new sources of funding as well as maintaining long-lasting relationships with donors. Strong expertise on US based donors is essential and good working knowledge on a range of institutional donors, such as USAID, BBRM, private foundations and donor institutions.

Primary responsibilities

1. Participate actively in building FCA’s capacity to acquire and manage institutional funding

· Develop and manage effective relationships with funders based on an informed understanding of FCA’s overseas work, ensuring that each donor is well-informed about the work of FCA and that FCA holds adequate and up-to-date information on each donor - including specific funding streams and opportunities, as well as grant application procedures.

· In coordination with Regional Office (RO) Funding Coordinators, ensure that ROs have efficient and timely access to information about funding opportunities.

· In particular, take a lead on ensuring that program staff is provided with the necessary support, including succinct and relevant written materials, to be able to work with priority donors at country and global levels.

· Work with HO functions to continuously improve systems for international coordination of grant management.

2. Identify suitable funding opportunities, and maintain effective donor relations:

· Liaise with RO Funding Coordinators to identify specific program funding requirements that are of potential interest to donors.

· Ensure the submission of high-quality applications, liaising with relevant FCA staff. In the process and prior to submission, ensure that budgets are realistic, accurate and in compliance with donor requirements.

· On large/complex applications where the program team lacks donor-specific knowledge that would significantly increase the chances of success, provide direct support on program development and design.

3. Support the effective management of current grants/contracts to ensure that FCA maintains the highest standards of donor compliance:

· Liaise with ROs as grants/contracts are approved to establish i) that the donor’s terms and conditions are fully understood by all and that everything is in place for FCA to be able to fulfil them, and ii) all FCA teams involved clearly understand their roles and responsibilities in delivering the program. Where appropriate, participate in grant kick-off workshops overseas.

· Where requested and appropriate, provide direct support to program teams in the production of reports.

· Capacity building of ROs and partners in grants.

4.Enable FCA to remain accountable to donors by staying in touch with progress of program implementation, especially on large/complex/high-risk grants.

5. Other support:

· Build effective relationships with FCA personnel at HO and ROs.

· As a member of a small team, actively participate in team meetings.

· Undertake other tasks and responsibilities as appropriate upon request of line manager or other senior staff member.

Profile

ESSENTIAL:

· Experience of delivering grants through the project lifecycle for development program and/or humanitarian response.

· Substantial relevant grants experience, securing funds from a range of institutional donors in the sector.

· Knowledge and experience of donor compliance issues.

· Proven track record in securing funds from US based donors and other institutional donors.

· Knowledge of the development/humanitarian sector and awareness of the key components of effective program/project design and implementation.

· Ability and confidence to represent FCA with potential and existing donors.

· Good attention to detail; highly numerate with ability to review budgets and financial reports and present to donors.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work effectively with a wide range of people and to network, negotiate and influence others.

· Excellent communication and presentation skills in English.

· Sound organizational skills and the ability to take initiative and proactively manage work to ensure outputs and results of a consistently high standard.

· Ability to travel domestically and internationally from 25 to 50 percent of the year.

· Effective time management; able to work under pressure and to deadlines.

· Competent use of Word and Excel.

DESIRABLE:

· Working knowledge of written and spoken French.

· Experience in private or corporate sector fundraising and campaigning.

How to apply:

Please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post with your CV/resume (no photos) in strict confidence by email only to: Karem Armstrongatkarem@darylupsall.com.

Please ensure that they are sent as Word documents with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV” Please put “Finn Church Aid– Global Grants Advisor” in the email subject line. Also please let us know where you saw the post advertised.

The deadline for application is Sunday 16^th November 2014, 18.00 CET.