Are you passionate about Grants? Do you enjoy bringing different aspects of complex processes together, and a deep knowledge of and experience from how tools and systems are applied in the field?
Have a look at this new opportunity!
The role
The Global Lead, Grants Management will take forward and further work to lift an organisational approach to grants management. The new function's main responsibility will be to ensure cohesive development and institutionalization of NRC's approach to Grants Management, including the digitalisation of Project Cycle Management (PCM) and Grants Management (re-development of NRC’s digital tool). This to service the operational departments in their delivery of NRC’s mission through supporting and streamlining grants management processes. The Global Lead will collaborate closely with existing Grants Management roles at Regional Offices and Country Office, and support Grants in the field to set standards and direction for Grants – as well as standardise the various cross-organisational tools and processes used at country level that bridge information coming from existing tools and departments.
It requires strong facilitation, coordination, communication and leadership skills – in combination with technical skills to be able to develop and consolidate Grants Management tools and frameworks. Ability to work well with others is a must, and understanding complex organisational structures and governance systems is necessary. Collaborative working and effective change management are essential to effectiveness in the role alongside maximising shared learning across NRC.
The position reports directly to the Head of Strategy, Innovation and Support, in the Field Operations department in NRC’s Head Office.
Responsibilities
Set direction and further develop the grants management function:
- Lead and further develop the Grants Management function in NRC including setting its direction, approach, global systems and effective functioning across the role of levels in the organisation, including through knowledge management and developing guidelines and tools for grants management (in line with NRCs policies, donor requirements and organisational needs.
- Consolidate and upkeep of different and bespoke tools used at country and regional level (e.g. grants trackers, macro programming tools, detailed RACI and process descriptions, fundraising strategies, etc) and development of tools not currently existing, to meet needs not covered by other departments.
- Lead the organisational routines and systems for ensuring the use of grants data across the organisation, in particular to feed into fundraising, programme and strategic decisions and adaptations.
- Responsible for the strategic focus and priorities of the digital tool (Cycles). Coordinate with stakeholders, oversee and ensure further development and long-term alignment with NRC’s overarching strategy and grants management specific needs.
- Provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior management on the basis of evidence and analysis of grants data, on trends, successes and challenges to support evidence-based decision making.
Enable quality and efficiency through developing standardised tools and processes:
- Lead the development of NRC-wide grants management principles and guidelines, processes and tools– and ensure country office level needs are met and supported through better enabling regional offices to meet identified needs and gaps.
- In close collaboration with relevant sections, support the organization's grants and compliance activities through the provision of minimum standards, guidelines, and organisational oversight to ensure quality grants data, evidence, and information enabling decision making.
- Develop compliance practices and monitor adherence to NRC’s grants management processes and procedures and assist operational managers to manage risks related to grants management.
- Establish routine process for the production, analysis, communication and use of grants management information and data for reporting, management and learning purposes.
Ensure suitable structures for staff, capacity building and training:
- Establish a pro-active and inclusive community of practice, with grants professionals at all levels. Responsible for sharing knowledge and best practice, including around new approaches and tools.
- Develop relevant training materials and guidance for induction and capacity building of grants staff.
- Be a Centre of Excellence for grants management, provide technical advice and support on grants framework, tools, and digital platform (in collaboration with technical product manager/developers), and build grants capacity across the organisation through agreed role of levels across Head, Regional, Country, and Area Offices.
- Offer recruitment support when Countries and Regions will hire staff, incl. JD review and profile.
- If the Grants Management function will have other technical staff, personnel management and oversight over performance and deliverables will be included.
Coordinating organ across involved departments:
Ensure that processes and best-practices developed and owned by other departments, but relevant to grants management, are synchronized and coordinated with tools and processes used within grants management.
Requirements
- University degree or equivalent qualification, preferably at master’s degree level
- Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, with at least 3-5 years at manager/adviser level within the humanitarian field (field experience is an advantage).
- Experience and understanding of projects from start-to-end, and support needed for decision making and enabling management activities throughout the life of projects, including relevant tools and guidance to support programme and project design, oversight, execution and follow up.
- Familiar with programme and other quality standards, donor requirements and trends in the humanitarian sector.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, in person and remotely and understand complex organisational structures and governance systems to enable change.
- Comfortable with leading development projects, working with a broad range of colleagues and developing user friendly tools, frameworks and guidance.
- Fluency in English both written and verbal. Knowledge of Spanish, French and Arabic is an asset.
- Forward-thinking and adaptable to dynamic situations.
- Head of Programme experience – or similar - is an asset.
- Enjoys shifting between leading others, developing things individually and contributing to work of others, and has excellent oral and written communication skills.
Behavioural competencies
- Planning and delivering results
- Strategic thinking and analysing
- Communicating with impact and respect
- Managing performance and development
- Influencing
- Empowering and building trust
What We Offer
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.
- Permanent contract
- Grade 10 on NRC salary scale
- Location: Oslo
Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC
Deadline to apply: 19/8/2023
Why NRC?
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.
Watch this short video to see NRC in action.
We have been present in Ukraine since 2014, helping more than 700,000 people with food, shelter, water, sanitation, and legal assistance. Following the escalation of conflict on 24 February 2022, we scaled up our work inside Ukraine and its neighbouring countries Poland, Moldova and Romania. Today we support hundreds of thousands of people in the region, both directly and through local partners.
We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:
- do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts
- join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility
- be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity
How to apply
If interested in this role, please apply here.