Trócaire is one of Ireland’s top INGO’s, having over 44 years’ of experience in international development and humanitarian work. Trócaire works through partners and is a member of the worldwide network ‘Caritas’ and the European network, CIDSE. The organisation is mid-way through its strategic plan 2016-2020 ‘For a Just and Sustainable Future’.

The EU Partnership Advisor works within the Global Partnerships and Funding team and also works closely with the Humanitarian team with regards to EU humanitarian funding. The role has a particular focus on accessing EU funding and managing Trócaire’s portfolio of grants from the European Union, including DCI, EDF and ECHO funding.  The post holder contributes to Trócaire’s overall institutional funding growth strategy, working closely with country teams and HQ staff to identify and pursue funding opportunities with the EU, ensuring Trócaire submissions meet the highest quality standards. S(he) remains up-to-date on key developments at EU level and participates in various EU fora.  S(he) ensures EU grant management, compliance and reporting requirements are understood and adhered to throughout the organisation.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Reporting to the Head of Global Partnerships and Funding, this is a specific purpose maternity cover contract and is based in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.[1]

Safeguarding[2] Children Policy:

The successful applicant will be expected to sign up to and adhere to Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policy.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Strategy Development

·         Manage and implement Trócaire’s organisational engagement strategy with the EU in line with the overall institutional funding strategy and vision.

·         Support the implementation of the Global Partnerships and Funding strategy and support countries to engage with the EU both on development and humanitarian funding streams and assist with country funding strategies as pertains to EU. 

Donor Intelligence and relations

·         Keep abreast of developments in EU funding and grant requirements and ensure these are disseminated within Trócaire

·         Develop and manage relationships with relevant EU representatives at Brussels level

·         Represent Trócaire in EU funding networks and working groups and ensure information from these networks is disseminated within Trócaire as appropriate

·         Maintain records of all EU donor intelligence and donor interaction in Trócaire’s donor information management system (Salesforce)

·         Link with the policy team to ensure coherent messaging across funding and policy workstreams.

·         Work closely with the Humanitarian team on funding opportunities and engagement with ECHO .

Funding Pipeline and Proposal Development

·         Identify, continuously update and disseminate information on potential sources of institutional funding from the EU (eg EuropeAid, ECHO, EU Trust Funds)

·         Maintain an EU funding pipeline on Salesforce

·         Support country teams with development of EU proposals and provide surge capacity where necessary

·         Co-ordinate and project manage strategic EU proposals (eg global calls, large multi-country applications)

·         Engage with potential strategic partners on EU consortium applications.

Grant Management, Compliance and Reporting

·         Promote a high standard of compliance with EU grant rules and regulations, including financial requirements

·         Provide guidance on effective implementation of EU grant compliance requirements and due diligence processes and in liaison with the Standards and Compliance Unit.

·         Advise and support country teams and Business Development Managers on EU compliance and reporting requirements; provide technical reviews of reports as necessary

·         Assist Country Teams with the organisation of grant setup workshops,

·         Assist with organisational EU audits as necessary

·         Ensure Trócaire’s registration with the EU is kept up to date (eg PADOR, FPA, Appel, PROSPECT)

Capacity Building, Training and Learning

·         Build capacity of Trócaire staff to access and manage EU funds through provision of training, toolkits, guidelines, mentoring and advice

·         Undertake field trips as needed to Trócaire’s programme countries to monitor programmes funded by the EU, provide capacity building, grant and proposal development support

·         Organise regular needs-based trainings for Trócaire staff on EU funding and systems

·         Manage Trócaire’s subscription to BOND EU Advice line and promote the service to Trócaire users

·         Document, disseminate and apply learning on EU applications, compliance issues and audit recommendations

Other

·         Play an active role in the Global Partnerships and Funding team, including surge support for and collaboration with other team members

·         Other duties commensurate with the role as may be specified by Trócaire from time to time.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

(E) Qualification

• Relevant third level qualification or its equivalent

(E) Experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the overseas development or humanitarian field with a strong emphasis on programme management and raising  and managing funds from institutional donors

(E) Skills

• Excellent knowledge of EU funding mechanisms (including EuropeAid and ECHO), proposal development and grant management rules
• Strong budgeting and financial management capacity
• Excellent proposal writing skills
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills

·         Computer proficiency, especially in the use of MS Excel and CRM systems such as Salesforce

(E) Qualities

·         Flexible, highly organised and attentive to detail

·         Able to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines

·         Able to manage complex processes with multiple stakeholders in different locations

(E) Other

·         Willingness to travel regularly to Trócaire’s overseas offices and within Ireland/Europe, at times at short notice

Person Specification – Desirable

(D) Qualification

(D) Experience

·         Experience of programme management

·         Experience in the use of Salesforce

·         Experience of capacity building and training

(D) Skills

·         Good knowledge of written and spoken Spanish and/ or French

·         Good presentation and facilitation skills