Job Title: Institutional Funding Officer
Location: Malawi
Department: International
Date: November 2015
Ref: 15-ID-023
Description of the unit / department:Trócaire works in partnership with local organisations to overcome poverty and promote justice in developing countries. Trócaire is embarking on an exciting new strategic plan 2016-2020 with Justice and Human Rights at its core.
The Institutional Funding Unit (IFU) is part of Trócaire’s International Division. The Unit consists of:
· Head of IFU
· IF Co-ordinator
· Regional Institutional Funding Officers (RIFOs), some based regionally, some based in HQ
· Irish Aid Funding Officer
· DFID Funding Officer
· Trusts and Foundations Officer
· Institutional Funding Support Officer
· Country specific Institutional Funding Officers.(2)
Each Regional Institutional Funding Officer has a particular geographic remit to source, help secure and manage institutional funding in a group of countries and the donor specific officers are responsible for the strategic relationship management of particular donors.
Background to the Role: In the context of a highly challenging donor funding environment, Trócaire is seeking to increase both the amount and diversity of institutional funding. The position of Institutional Funding Officer was established as part of Trócaire’s organisational strategy of increasing income from institutional donors. This position seeks to do that, as well as supporting programmes to manage funds in accordance with Trócaire and donor guidelines.
The role will specifically support thematic programmes in Malawi and Zimbabwe to manage existing grants, and in planning and securing additional institutional funding.
Reporting to: Country Director Malawi / Zimbabwe
Managing: No direct reports
Contract Type: Fixed term
Duration: 2 years
Grade/ Scale: Overseas Programme Officer
Location: Malawi or Zimbabwe
Scope of the Role: To provide comprehensive support to country teams in Malawi and Zimbabwe in the management of donor grants and the development of successful future applications.
Trócaire currently has three high profile grants from strategic donors in Malawi, and another three in Zimbabwe. Further institutional funding opportunities are expected and it is anticipated that these country’s institutional funding portfolio will grow in the coming years. The position of the Institutional Funding Officer is critical to the management of existing grants and in delivering a growth strategy for both of these countries.
****Safeguarding****[1]****Children Policy:**** It is not envisaged that this role will have direct contact with children.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Country Institutional Funding strategy development
· Collate information on donor priorities and strategies for countries of responsibility, identifying thematic and geographic areas of overlap with Trócaire priorities. This will include uploading relevant information on the organisational Management Information System.
· Support the Programme Manager and the Country Director to develop an Institutional funding Strategy and an action plan.
· Maintain and regularly update information of all current and potential donors for the Malawi and Zimbabwe programmes.
· Acquire in depth knowledge of both the country strategic frameworks and all thematic programmes in Malawi and Zimbabwe.
****Programme planning and Institutional funding applications****
· Pro-actively identify opportunities for securing institutional funding from governments, major donors and other sources accessible to Trócaire in coordination with programme staff.
· Lead and coordinate the development of institutional funding applications (concept notes and full proposals, including narrative and financial sections) in close coordination with programme officers and country team, Head Office programme teams and IFU staff, donors and partners.
****Grant management****
· Provide advice, guidance and support to staff and partners to meet the contractual obligations and donor requirements
· Maintain and/or develop grant and programme financial management tracking systems.
· Work with programme and finance staff to ensure compliance with all financial requirements
· Support programme officers and partners in the timely development of reports
· Accompany donors and programme officers in monitoring visits to co-financed projects.
· Review all donor contracts (including changes) and keep country management and programme officers informed of Trócaire’s responsibilities.
· Support the country teams to ensure all programme and project documentation is kept as appropriate on Trócaire’s Management Information System.
****Donor relationship building****
· Support the Country Directors to build new donor contacts, strengthen relationships with current donors and negotiate new contracts with donors.
· When required, represent Trócaire and organisational programmes to external parties including donor and other coordination meetings and those presenting co-financing opportunities.
· Work closely with IFU at head office to ensure coordinated contact with donors.
****Capacity building****
- Provide support to staff and partners on topics including proposal development, log frames, budgeting, report writing, monitoring and evaluation.
- Advise programme teams on building the capacities of partners to handle contractual compliance issues, for example in narrative and financial reporting, and expenditure tracking.
- Advise programme teams on how to comply with audit and expenditure verification requirements, and provide quality assurance on the maintenance of project files
****Other**** Develop briefing and promotional materials to showcase and generate interest in the programmes: i.e. briefs, updates, case studies, photo stories, website materials etc. Ensure that HIV, Gender and vulnerability issues are addressed in all aspects of programme funding work, in relation to partners and in working with colleagues in Trócaire. Any other reasonable duty as may be assigned by the line manager that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility.
Participate in wider organisational planning and review work, as and where appropriate.
- Person Specification – Essential (E), Desirable (D)
Qualification
Graduate level qualification or equivalent experience in Development Studies, Social Science, or related area. (E)
Relevant subject at Masters Level (D)
Experience
Minimum two years experience of proposal and report writing for major international donors including the DFID, European Union, Irish Aid, Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief, UN, other relevant trusts/foundations. ****(E)****
Proven track record of securing significant institutional funding from successful grant applications. ****(E)****
Experience of managing grants from donors such as: DFID, European Union, Irish Aid, Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief, UN, or other relevant trusts/foundations.****(E)****
Working with partner organisations.(E)
Substantive experience of development work in Malawi and/or Zimbabwe. (D)
Experience of results based management and/or monitoring and evaluation. (D)
Skills
Excellent writing skills in English, including proposals and reports.(E)
Excellent numeracy for budgeting and financial analysis.(E)
Strong project planning, monitoring and evaluation skills, using logical frameworks.(E)
Excellent networking, communication, negotiation and presentation skills.(E)
Computer literate with excellent command of Microsoft Office software, especially Excel.(E)
Qualities
Excellent networking skills with the ability to establish good relationships, and confident in diplomatically engaging with senior internal or external organisational representatives.(E)
Good interpersonal relationships and team work skills in a multi cultural environment.(E)
Good team player and able to establish strong working relationships with colleagues in the region as well as in Head Office.(E)
Accuracy and attention to detail.(E)
Self motivated with proven ability to take the initiative. ****(E)****
Able to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.****(E)****
Willingness to travel independently as required. ****(E)****
Culturally sensitive and diplomatic.(E)
Flexible and adaptable. Able to learn from experience and apply to future work. ****(E)****
Strong commitment to principles of partnership, solidarity and social justice.(E)
Other
Good understanding of development and institutional funding issues and trends. (E)
[1] All offers of employment with Trocaire may be subject to Garda Vetting/PSNI clearance.
****All**** new hires are required to complete a Self-Declaration Form and sign up to our Code of Behaviour contained in our Safeguarding Children Policy – Irish Offices. For additional information please consult the Human Resources Department in our Head Office.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates can apply through the Trócaire Jobs Page - www.trocaire.org/jobs
Closing date for applications is Thursday 26th November 2015
Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer.
