Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview/Summary: 

The Grants Officer will contribute to the overall government and legal requirement section of grants management at IRC Ethiopia and lead on government relations vis-à-vis requesting, securing government approvals for newly awarded projects prior to the start of implementation, and leading the government reporting and overall communication. The position reports to the Grant Coordinator.

This position is based in Addis Ababa with occasional trips to field sites and refugee camps, if needed. The Grants Officer will work collaboratively with all Grants and Partnership Unit, the technical coordinators, Field Coordinators, operations team, and the finance team.

Major responsibilities include:

Government Proposal and Permission Requests

• Develop full government permission request packages for all newly awarded grants for both refugee and local community grants (e.g. Letters of Understanding (LOU), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), work plan, staffing list, log frames, budgets, summaries of project activities etc.) by utilizing donor-approved grant agreements, budgets and supporting documents.

• Liaise with IRC Field Coordinators, camp Officers and field-based program staff in requesting and securing LOUs and MOUs from relevant authorities (RRS, UNHCR, and Government Bodies) prior to the beginning of program implementation.

• Collaborate with all relevant staff to ensure that 100% of all new grants secure LOUs and MOUs in a timely manner.

• Act as focal point for government relations vis-à-vis LOUs, MOUs, government reporting of all IRC grants and their amendments.

• Develop amendments and No-Cost-Extensions for government approvals.

• Update the LOU/MOU tracker on a weekly basis and circulate within Grants Unit.

• File hard copies and soft copies of all LoUs/MoUs.

• Contribute to proposal development on assigned new opportunities as needed.

• Draft and edit budget narratives, edit proposals, and ensure proper proposal and grant management procedures are followed as assigned.

Reporting

• Solicit, collate, edit and submit all project specific and quarterly and annual ASCO reports at national and regional levels.

• Collaborate with IRC Field Coordinators, field-based staff and program staff at Addis level on report contents in order to ensure quality report submission.

• Update the government reporting tracker on a bi-weekly basis to ensure that reports are submitted on time by ensuring that report preparation begins in a timely manner (quarterly, interim or final reports); and that there is no omission of government reports.

• Communicate monthly with Addis and field teams on the status of reports (submitted/pending etc.).

• As needed assist the Grants and Partnership Unit’s members in the reporting process with in-country staff for updates and HQ for approvals before submission to the donor.

Government and Donor Compliance

• Research government and donor compliance issues for new opportunities or existing grants, as needed.

• Ensure that grants are implemented in compliance with relevant government and donor regulations. Advise field-based staff accordingly.

Communication and Information Management

• Distribute to IRC staff all documentation (Grant agreements, proposals, reports and budget, etc. with government office) related to their specific programs.

• Keep an updated inventory of all communications related to government agreements (LOUs, MOUs).

Management and Capacity Building

• Provide on-the-job training to Grants and Partnerships Unit’s members on LOUs and MOUs.

• Manage and supervise program interns, as needed.

Administrative/Other

• Support data analytics and ad-hoc analysis, as needed.

• Process Procurement Requests through the online BVA system, as needed.

• Undertake other projects or research, as assigned by the supervisor. 

Job Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• BA degree required; Master’s degree in Accounting, Economics, International Affairs, Social Sciences, or STEM (Science, Technology and Math) strongly preferred.

Preferred experience & skills:

• At least 2 years of experience in program management, grants management and proposal/business development/design.

• Advanced MS Excel and Math skills required (skills will be tested through an exam) and are the most important requirement for this position.

• Prior knowledge of donors (ECHO, EU, USAID, OFDA, BPRM, DFID, SIDA, UNICEF, UNHCR, OCHA etc.) and government regulations preferred.

• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, cultural, and diplomatic skills.

• Flexibility to adapt to changing requirements.

• Ability to juggle competing priorities, meet demanding deadlines and work under pressure in unstable security environments.

• Strong computer skills required.

Language Skills: 

• Fluency in English, spoken and written, is the most important requirement for this job; Fluency in Amharic required. (The written English skills will be tested through an exam).

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC Online recruitment website:  CLICK HERE

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short-listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for

• Date of application

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. 

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.