Job Overview/Summary
The Grants Manager, based in Maiduguri, Nigeria, will deliver comprehensive grant management, business development, and reporting services across the organization’s Nigeria portfolio. This role involves close collaboration with program, monitoring & evaluation, finance, operations, and senior management teams to uphold rigorous standards in both pre- and post-award grant administration. Responsibilities include ensuring donor compliance, facilitating prompt and accurate reporting, advancing high-caliber proposal development, maintaining meticulous project documentation, crafting donor briefs, and enhancing donor and internal visibility. The position reports directly to the Senior Grants Coordinator and will engage closely with grants, partnerships, and communications managers.
Oversee a comprehensive range of duties encompassing strategic planning, operational execution, and team leadership to ensure organizational objectives are met efficiently. Provide guidance to subordinate staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment while maintaining strict adherence to company policies and industry regulations. Monitor key performance indicators, analyze workflows, and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and service delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional departments to align goals, resolve challenges, and drive continuous innovation. Serve as a primary point of contact for stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and timely resolution of issues.
Information management professionals are responsible for organizing, securing, storing, and disseminating data and records within an organization. They ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and industry standards while optimizing information accessibility and usability. This role may involve implementing digital systems, maintaining databases, and developing policies to govern data handling. Strong analytical, organizational, and technological skills are essential, along with attention to detail and problem-solving abilities. Experience with document management software, data governance frameworks, and information security protocols is often required.
Serve as the steward of institutional knowledge and program documentation, collaborating closely with pertinent sector supervisors and coordinators to ensure comprehensive record-keeping and alignment with organizational objectives.
Maintain meticulous electronic filing systems for all programs, guaranteeing IRC colleagues seamless access to critical records and essential information.
Develop and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with donors to foster ongoing support, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and values. Craft and distribute compelling communications—including newsletters, impact reports, and personalized correspondence—to engage donors, convey appreciation, and highlight the tangible outcomes of their contributions. Collaborate closely with fundraising teams to align messaging with campaign strategies, ensuring consistency and clarity across all donor-facing materials. Monitor and analyze donor feedback and engagement metrics to refine communication approaches and enhance donor retention.
Engage with donors and prospective supporters, as well as key operational partners, through active participation in meetings and by championing IRC’s mission and priorities to foster strong, mutually beneficial relationships.
In collaboration with pertinent team members, address inquiries from donors regarding compliance information and provide responses to their compliance-related questions as necessary.
Please ensure all pertinent staff members are informed about donor communications, regulatory updates, and upcoming meetings or events.
Engage in and help organize donor visits and meetings, fostering meaningful relationships and ensuring productive interactions.
Craft engaging and informative external communication materials such as fact sheets and program updates to effectively convey key messages to target audiences.
Ensures adherence to all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies while mitigating organizational risks. Develops, implements, and monitors compliance programs, including training initiatives and audits, to maintain ethical standards and operational integrity. Collaborates with leadership and department heads to identify compliance gaps and recommend corrective actions. Conducts risk assessments, investigates potential violations, and reports findings to senior management. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes and industry best practices to ensure ongoing compliance.
Stay abreast of the latest donor guidelines applicable to the Nigeria portfolio, encompassing but not limited to those issued by USAID, FCDO, ECHO, and UN OCHA, to ensure full compliance and alignment with funding requirements.
Deliver comprehensive training sessions to IRC staff regarding compliance standards and donor-specific regulatory obligations.
Vigilantly oversee grants to ensure adherence to both internal policies and donor requirements, promptly identifying and escalating any compliance issues as they arise.
Grant management involves identifying, pursuing, and securing funding opportunities from governmental agencies, foundations, and corporate sponsors, while also ensuring compliance with all reporting and accountability standards. Additionally, you will be responsible for cultivating relationships with current and prospective donors, developing proposals, and managing post-award grant administration. In the realm of business development, you will evaluate market trends, identify new revenue streams, and forge strategic partnerships to expand organizational reach and impact. This role requires strong analytical skills, exceptional communication abilities, and a proven track record in grant acquisition and stewardship.
With the guidance of the Senior Grants Coordinator, facilitate the creation of high-quality proposals and narrative reports by collaborating with pertinent teams, and serve as the primary writer as needed.
Collaborate with headquarters departments—including the Regional Unit, Awards Management Unit, and Technical Units—to verify that proposals align with established internal guidelines and fully meet donor specifications.
Assist program personnel in evaluating potential funding prospects to ensure alignment with IRC Nigeria’s strategic goals and the prevailing local conditions, providing guidance on such opportunities as needed.
Collaborate with program coordinators and managers to ensure the prompt and meticulous preparation of high-quality new funding proposals and reports.
Collaborate effectively with colleagues in the grants unit to actively facilitate efficient grants management processes throughout the entire portfolio.
Monitor and oversee the effective utilization of grant and project management tools to guarantee precise tracking of opportunities, timely reporting, and necessary programmatic adjustments throughout the project lifecycle.
Offer expert technical advice on IRC and donor regulations to uphold compliance standards across all operations in IRC Nigeria, while identifying and addressing potential issues proactively.
Oversee reporting deadlines, liaise with relevant stakeholders, and compile reports as needed to maintain the highest standards of quality and compliance with donor specifications.
You will serve as the primary liaison for headquarters grants administration and compliance teams, overseeing the tracking of submissions within IRC’s online opportunity management system (OTIS).
Actively participate in Project Cycle Meetings alongside pertinent project leads to uphold timely and high-quality project execution.
Execute any additional responsibilities as directed by the Senior Grants Coordinator.
Key Collaborations and Interactions
The role involves extensive collaboration with cross-functional teams, including marketing, finance, and operations, to drive strategic initiatives and ensure seamless project execution. Additionally, the position requires frequent engagement with senior leadership to provide updates, gather feedback, and align on organizational goals. Strong interpersonal skills are essential to foster productive relationships, resolve conflicts, and maintain a cohesive working environment.
The incumbent will report directly to the Senior Grants Coordinator, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and adherence to established protocols.
Indirect/Technical Reporting involves the preparation and dissemination of comprehensive reports that convey complex information to stakeholders who may not have a technical background. This includes transforming intricate data, technical findings, or project updates into clear, concise, and actionable insights. The role requires the ability to analyze and interpret technical details, ensuring accuracy while making the content accessible to diverse audiences. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential to tailor messages appropriately for various stakeholders, including executives, clients, and team members. Additionally, maintaining consistency in reporting formats and adhering to deadlines are critical responsibilities to support informed decision-making.
The role oversees the work of the Grants Officer directly.
Key Internal Contacts:
The Country Program encompasses a diverse range of critical functions, including grants management, strategic partnerships, internal and external communications, financial oversight, monitoring and evaluation, human resources, supply chain logistics, safety and security protocols, as well as field coordination responsibilities.
AMU and Technical Units across the Global region are seeking candidates to fill this position.
External stakeholders, including partners, donors, and other relevant parties, are integral to this role.
We seek candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field or equivalent practical experience, along with at least three years of professional experience in [specific field, e.g., software development, marketing, etc.]. Proficiency in [specific tools, languages, or methodologies, e.g., Python, Agile, SEO] is essential, as is the ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning are critical for success in this role. Familiarity with [specific industry standards, compliance requirements, or best practices] is preferred.
Education:
A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in international affairs, development studies, international political economy, or a closely related discipline is required.
Experienced professionals with a proven track record in the field are encouraged to apply. Candidates should possess relevant work experience in [specific industry/role], demonstrating expertise and proficiency in key responsibilities. A minimum of [X years] in a comparable position is typically required, though exceptional candidates may be considered with slightly less experience. Familiarity with industry-standard tools, methodologies, and best practices is essential for success in this role. Prior experience in [specific tasks or projects] is highly desirable.
With a minimum of two to three years of hands-on experience in grants management, proposal development, business development, or related design roles, candidates should demonstrate a proven track record in these areas.
Proven proficiency in technical competencies, encompassing a comprehensive understanding of relevant tools, methodologies, and systems essential for effective job performance.
Proficiency in donor compliance regulations, including those from BHA, USAID, ECHO, FCDO, GAC, and similar entities, is essential.
Demonstrates a track record of successfully developing projects, crafting proposals, and preparing donor reports.
A professional possessing excellent communication abilities, coupled with strong organizational, time management, and analytical capabilities.
Exceptional proficiency in writing and editing is essential, coupled with meticulous attention to detail.
Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, a proactive approach to tasks, and the capacity to meet deadlines while working both autonomously and collaboratively within a team.
Demonstrated proficiency in managing teams and guiding organizational initiatives, with a proven ability to inspire and motivate employees toward achieving shared goals. Exhibits strong decision-making skills, adaptability to changing circumstances, and effective delegation of responsibilities to ensure operational efficiency and team success.
Adaptability to evolving needs and conditions is essential.
Capable of effectively balancing multiple tasks, adhering to strict deadlines, and maintaining high performance under pressure within a dynamic and unpredictable setting.
Ability to navigate diverse environments, encompassing varying security protocols, cultural norms, workplace climates, and health considerations.
Demonstrates a steadfast dedication to advancing women’s rights and aligning with the International Rescue Committee’s vision, mission, and core values, with particular attention to cultural nuances and contexts.
Languages: Proficiency in English and Spanish is essential, with fluency in additional languages viewed as a significant advantage. Candidates must have exceptional written and verbal communication abilities to interact effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders across global offices. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
2 - 3 years
