Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunities for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC Syria

DRC has been operating in Syria since 2008, initially responding to the Iraqi refugee crisis before pivoting to a full-scale response to the Syria crisis from 2011 onwards. Our work encompasses the full cycle of displacement—responding to life-saving humanitarian needs and supporting community recovery until durable solutions can be achieved. DRC Syria takes an area-based approach to supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across our key sectors: Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (including Humanitarian Mine Action).

With an established rapid response mechanism, DRC can rapidly respond to emerging crises and shocks to meet acute emergency needs. Recognizing the significant need for early recovery and resilience programming to ensure dignified, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions for fragile communities, DRC’s programmes foster resilience for individuals and communities in situations of protracted displacement and during the initial stages of post-conflict recovery, towards a durable solution of their choice. With active portfolios in the neighboring countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye and Iraq, DRC offers a cross-border, regional response to the Syria crisis, through cross-border protection monitoring, advocacy, and trends analysis.

About the job:

DRC Syria is seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual with substantial experience leading grants frameworks, systems, and processes, with the objective of strengthening our current and future programmes and strategic partnerships. The Grants Manager (GM) will oversee the full lifecycle of grants management. This includes effective grants administration, donor compliance, timely and quality reporting, and overall accountability to our partners, donors, and other stakeholders. Programme development and fundraising will be an essential component of the role, and under the management of the Head of Programme (HoP), the GM will lead on the coordination and development of successful proposals – implemented directly by DRC and in partnership. The role will be also responsible to lead and coordinate the planning, developing and implementing of DRC Syria communication and visibility activities, including communication materials to be used for awareness campaigns. The position reports to the Head of Programme, directly manages Grants staff and one Communication Officer, and closely collaborates with MEAL, Technical Programme, and Support Service teams.

Responsibilities:

Programme Development and Fundraising

  • In coordination with the Country Director (CD) and HoP, support the development of DRC Syria’s fundraising strategy and efforts, including undertaking donor mappings, tracking donor engagement, developing and/or updating strategy, and preparing briefings.
  • Maintain and update the donor database to identify new donors and funding opportunities in line with the strategic priorities of DRC Syria and the region.
  • In collaboration with the HoP and partner organizations, coordinate all aspects of the proposal development process from bid identification, Go/No-Go analysis, proposal calendar, through to development and timely submission of high-quality proposals, including by coordinating, collecting, drafting, and/or editing contributions and compile inputs from Programme staff, technical advisors, HQ and/ or the regional office, and partners (if relevant) in line with the proposal development plan.
  • Lead the review and quality assurance of proposal packages (narrative, budget, annexes) for consistency with the requirements of solicitations, requests, or calls for proposals. 
  • Work closely with technical teams to ensure proposals reflect needs and response analyses and are supported by an appropriate Theory of Change and Logical Framework.
  • Liaise with donor representatives and coordinate donor visits to programme sites, in support of the CD and the HoP.

Grant Management and Reporting

  • Ensure quality information management related to grants, including managing the DRC Grants Management System (GMS) and in-country documentation and trackers. Ensure DRC Dynamics is used to its full capacity.
  • Maintain and update DRC’s online system related to grants (SharePoint and Dynamics); and contribute to establishing systems available to partner organizations to ensure full access to partnership-related documentation.
  • In support of the Grants Management Specialist and Grants Management Officer, develop and maintain an overview of all grants (including if in partnerships).
  • Provide guidance on and ensure compliance with donor and DRC rules, regulations, and guidelines and raise issues affecting external/ internal compliance.
  • Lead the Grants team to prepare and facilitate project kick-off, review, and close-out meetings to ensure compliance, support implementation monitoring, and highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
  • Lead the GRM meetings and review BFUs, consolidated spending, implementation, procurement, and staffing plans for each project and flag up discrepancies to the teams and HoP at monthly grants meetings.
  • Provide regular updates on grant delivery, gaps, risks, and challenges to Senior Management Team.
  • Lead Grants team in coordinating and managing reporting processes; provide inputs in relation to partnerships, localization, and other cross-cutting areas.
  • Ensure a compliance process with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement, HR, and finance, in close coordination with the relevant support functions, including partners focal points (directly or in collaboration with the Partnership and Localization Coordinator.
  • Manage official communications with donors such as delivery of reports, responding to requests for information, grant adjustments, proposal submissions, and operational advocacy approaches.
  • Support external donor audits and donor monitoring visits.

Grant management support to local implementing partners (subgrantees)

  • Collaborate with the Partnership and Localization coordinator in proposal writing processes including local implementing partners as sub-grantees.
  • Provide technical support, guidance, and tools to implementing partners at proposal development process.
  • Support proposal development for funding opportunity components directly related to partnerships and localization and actively support identification of and liaison with new and existing donors, in close collaboration with key stakeholders.
  • Under his/her area of responsibility, contribute to developing and/or adapting systems, policies, and SoPs that are supportive of the Partnership and Localization strategy and engagement with partners, particularly for strategic programming, proposal drafting, reporting, etc.
  • In support of the Partnership and Localization Coordinator, ensure learnings from proposal writing, reporting, grants management and communication under partnerships are captured, consolidated, and disseminated, contributing to knowledge building and better Programme planning.
  • Support in the partnership capacity assessment to local implementing partners and collaborate with the Partnership and Localization Coordinator in designing capacity building plans including grants management support and provide and/or coordinate training and targeted capacity strengthening support.

Communications

  • Supervise the work of the Communications Officer to ensure quality and compliance of all communication and visibility related products.
  • In coordination with the HoP and Communications Officer, design and implement a country program communication and visibility plan.
  • Work with the Communications Officer to develop and roll out project-level visibility and communication plans as required.
  • In collaboration with the Advocacy Coordinator, supervise and review the production of information and communication materials such as brochures, newsletters, stories/lessons learnt, human interest stories, blogs, photos, videos and regularly update the DRC website/Facebook page and other publications. 
  • Provide content for key communications materials including pagers, organizational profile and annual reporting especially on beneficiaries’ stories/case studies etc.
  • In collaboration with the Advocacy Coordinator and Programme team, support the drafting of communications and advocacy material for different thematic work-streams, including newsletters, reports, promotional materials, and talking points for senior management.
  • Ensure compliance with donor communication requirements.

Management and Internal Capacity Building

  • Manage the Grants team and Comms Officer on a day-to-day basis by providing leadership support and guidance, on-the-job training, and coaching.
  • Be accountable for people management of direct reports. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
  • Prepare work plans with clear objectives, achievement benchmarks, and long-term and short-term priorities. Assist the team in identifying professional development needs and opportunities.
  • Provide continuous performance feedback to the team; identify performance issues and work with staff and HR to document and address issues in a timely manner.
  • Conduct internal training to DRC staff on basic Comms and Visibility requirements as well as on grants management, proposal drafting, reporting, etc. to improve understanding and enhance relevant skills and capacities.

Other

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

  • Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
  • Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
  • Perform other duties as directed by the HoP.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years' of practical, field-based experience in proposal development and grants management in an INGO is essential; with a minimum of 3 years in a Manager/Coordinator/Specialist-level role.
  • At least 2 years’ experience in working with national partners on programming and capacity strengthening is preferred.
  • At least 3 years' experience in people management is highly preferred.
  • Experience leading on the development of Theories of Change and Logical Frameworks.
  • Experience in MEAL is desirable but not required. 
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment.
  • Proven ability to manage stakeholders with strong communication, coordination, influencing and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated ability in thinking creatively and practically to improve the quality of projects.
  • Analytical and critical thinking with the ability to work operationally without losing sight of the strategic goal.
  • Ability to lead and work within a multi-cultural/diverse team.
  • Commitment to humanitarian principles and DRC values.

Education 

Degree in relevant subject. e.g Social Sciences, International Development, or equivalent work experience. 

Languages

  • English - Fluent
  • Arabic - desirable

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:  

  • Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.  
  • Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.  
  • Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  
  • Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.  
  • Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

We offer:

Contract length: Until December-2026

Level: Management – F1

Location: Syria - Damascus

Expected Start date: 01st of March-2026

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on one of the below links:

Advertisement link: Talentech - Grants Manager

Direct application link: Talentech - Grants Manager - Application Form

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

Applications close on 30th of January 2026

Need further information?

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.org

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.