Grants Officer

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 increased refugee arrivals into Europe, the IRC established the program initially in Greece, which was expanded with programs in Serbia and wider Balkans and with programs in Germany. Following a first assessment conducted in January 2017 in Italy and another one in July 2017, several critical protection gaps were identified within assistance provided to refugees in migrants in Italy: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), assistance to unaccompanied children, information provision and legal support. To respond to the identified gaps IRC established a small presence in Italy. Programs in Italy include Refugee.Info web-based information platform, child protection programming targeting unaccompanied children and victims of trafficking, mentoring programs for the socio-economic inclusion of refugee youth, WPE and education (social emotional learning and healing classrooms).

Job Summary

The Grants Officer works closely with the Program Coordinator, Program Manager, and other program staff to ensure the oversight of grants and partnerships management processes for IRC Italy, in line with IRC and donor regulations and requirements. The position supports donor reporting, business development, grant management / donor interface and compliance oversight for ongoing projects.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead on internal and external reporting with programs and finance, ensuring high-quality, well-written and timely reports meeting donor and IRC requirements. Maintain close
  collaboration with relevant program and support staff in preparation of donor reports.
• Ensure quality information management through regular maintenance of grant files, reporting calendars, timely submission and updating of internal IRC documentation and other grants management tracking tools (e.g. OTIS).
• Lead grant opening, review and closing meetings, including with IRC partners, to ensure that grants are implemented in compliance with the IRC and relevant donor regulations, and support strong financial and operational grant management.
• Lead on ensuring compliance with IRC’s Partnerships Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) requirements, including acting as main focal point for partners on administrative, contractual, and reporting issues.
• Support programs as needed with Monitoring and evaluation, including capture and documentation of lessons learnt.
• Support programs to ensure that IRC grants are well-administered and implemented in compliance with the relevant donor regulations and IRC procedures.
• Maintain a broad and deep understanding of donor policies, regulations, and procedures and assist program technical leads and operations staff with understanding them.
• Contribute to and coordinate the development of high-quality proposals and concept papers for submission to donors including technical and financial offers.
• Lead on budgeting as requested for new proposals in line with standard IRC budgeting practices, in close collaboration with relevant finance, supply chain and program staff.
• Support program design for new business development opportunities with relevant program and field staff upon request.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all departments, partners, organizations, and actors.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to IRC Italy Program Coordinator
• Required to work closely with the IRC Italy Program team as well as the regional support team (Finance, Supply Chain, HR) based in Belgrade
• Other internal collaboration with IRC HQ departments as needed including Resource and Acquisitions Management team, Finance, Communications etc.
• External collaboration with donors and implementing partners