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Position: Head of Grants, BRAC International

Job Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh/Nairobi, Kenya

About the Role:

The Head of Grants is responsible for participating in the development of global policies, procedures, tools and systems in grant management, and actively promoting the application of those standards toward an efficient and effective grant management function within BRAC International Country Offices. The role has four main aspects to it: 1) work within GRP Grant Management team to develop key infrastructure for grant and sub-grant management across BRAC International, 2) practice active risk management by addressing high risk areas with other support functions (Finance, HR) to develop and implement organizational systems for improved compliance; 3) provide direct management and technical, dotted line management to grant management professionals across BRAC International, developing capacity to be compliant with global procedures and standards.

The role offers a leadership opportunity for an individual experienced in grants management and change management. It requires an individual capable of providing direct supervision and technical dotted-line leadership to a dynamic team responsible for the management of the BRAC International portfolio of grants currently valued at approximately $300M. This position will work in close partnership with colleagues within GRP, across functions and with all Country Office teams to ensure a smooth process from the proposal development phase to grant management phase and to build overall BRAC International capacity to steward grant funding with diligence and professionalism. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency inside a BRAC International country, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Chief Partnership and Grants Officer in the identification and creation of global grant management and sub-grant management policies, procedures, tools and systems, representing BRAC International views and perspective.
• Support the Chief Partnership and Grants Officer in the identification and creation of global policies, procedures, tools and systems, owned by other functions but required to be donor compliant. Immediate systems support focus includes Timesheets and Cost Allocation.
• Support the building and adoption by BRAC International of a central grants management system, the Grant Management System hosted by JIRA, or any future system for the organization
• Work in collaboration with other Departments to ensure grant management inputs to key processes including, inter alia, master budget development, cost allocation, monitoring of grant budgets, phasing and forecasting, budget reviews, timesheets.
• Ensure that grant management processes include consideration of key organizational priorities (Gender and Inclusion, Safeguarding).
• In collaboration with CPGO, support a heavy focus and resourcing on timely and quality donor reporting. This may mean dedicating specific time or ensuring GRP Grant Managers have a high level of effort dedicated to centralized donor report reviews and controls.
• Support the Global Grant Management Lead in the embedding of the Grant Management Manual and Sub-Grant Management Manual procedures and tools within and across the BRAC International Country Offices. To be done through deliberate and planned support to Country Offices to establish and maintain an efficient and effective grant management process.
• Develop strong relationships across BRAC International; provide direct supervision and dotted line supervision through, with a special lens on ensuring gender equality:
  • Direct supervision of GRP Global Grant Management Lead and Global Donor Reporting Specialist
  • Administer dotted line management to UPGI Grant Manager, ensuring UPGI grant administration consistent with organizational standard
• Work with Chief Partnership and Grants Officer and Global Grant Management Lead to build a high performing grant management team within BRAC International through regular and ongoing capacity building to GRP and Country Office Grant Management staff:
  • On-the-job training support to select Grant Managers
  • Workshops on select, strategic topics alone or in collaboration with other Departments
  • Acting as a trouble-shooting resource for grant management queries and issues
  • Facilitation of sharing grant management capacity across Country Offices and sites to promote opportunity and learning
• Support Lead to convene all BRAC International Grant Management staff regularly and govern the function for BRAC International

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Establish a safeguarding culture across all level of the programme by implementing the safeguarding policy. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Responsible to ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported and have access to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s or equivalent degree in International Development or Business and Administration or Finance

Required Skills, Competencies & Knowledge:

• Proven track record of active contribution to senior management team direction and providing strategic support across multiple sectors and/or regions.
• Extensive experience with NGOs with increasing responsibilities including proven experience of establishing and running the grant management function in the field.
• Knowledge of the requirements of major institutional donors including budgeting, eligibility issues, compliance management, and reporting; experience of engaging with donors at a strategic level (UNHCR, USAID, GAC, DFAT, DFID).
• Proven ability to develop organizational procedures and systems.
• Well-developed skills in staff management.
• Proven coaching and capacity-building skills.
• Understanding of the financial aspects of grant management, ability to work with Finance Departments on grant management issues.
• Strong attention to detail, problem solving skills, and ability to analyze trends.
• Computer literate (i.e. Google Suite/ Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, financial systems).
• Patient, adaptable, able to improvise, and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.
• Fluent communication (written and spoken) in English.
• Demonstrated ability to manage change in complex organizations.
• Knowledge of BRAC, its history, and its programmes and culture is desirable.

Experience Requirements:

• 10+ years in development or related field;
• Core experience in grants management;
• Experience in change management using global standard grant management tools and procedures;
• Donor compliance knowledge
• Dotted line management experience