Grants & Compliance Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to a collaborative, mission-driven culture that aims to improve the lives of the poor globally. The agency emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
The Grants & Compliance Manager will oversee grants and compliance activities for the Thabat World Bank-funded project, ensuring adherence to World Bank regulations, donor contractual requirements, and organizational policies. This role is critical in establishing a robust reporting and tracking system to monitor donor deliverables and compliance obligations. The manager will proactively monitor grant processes across multiple states, implement compliance systems, and provide technical guidance to teams in various project locations. Additionally, the position involves leading sub-granting processes, conducting due diligence assessments, and ensuring ongoing monitoring to maintain accountability and compliance with donor and organizational standards. The role requires a strategic approach to managing grants and compliance, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Grants Management & Compliance: Maintain a compliance tracker for donor deliverables and obligations, ensuring timely preparation and submission of high-quality reports. Track World Bank requests throughout project implementation and develop grant management systems for compliance. Provide regular updates and risk analysis to the project management unit and coordinate audit preparations.
• Reporting & Tracking: Establish a centralized reporting system for donor deliverables, consolidating reports from state-level teams for accuracy and timeliness. Monitor progress toward grant deliverables, identifying risks and coordinating corrective actions. Maintain documentation in compliance with audit and donor requirements.
• Sub-Granting & Partner Oversight: Lead sub-grant management, including RFAs, due diligence assessments, and monitoring sub-grant agreements. Provide training and support to sub-grantees on compliance and reporting. Monitor performance and conduct compliance visits to address non-compliance issues.
• Capacity Building & Technical Support: Offer technical guidance to teams on grants management and compliance, designing training sessions on donor compliance and documentation standards. Strengthen internal systems for efficiency and accountability.
• Risk Management & Continuous Improvement: Identify compliance risks and recommend improvements to policies and procedures. Ensure audit readiness and coordinate audit processes, integrating lessons learned into future compliance processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess in-depth knowledge of World Bank regulations, donor compliance frameworks, and financial reporting standards. Strong analytical, risk management, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with excellent organizational and project management abilities. Effective communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as high proficiency in MS Office Suite and familiarity with grant management systems. Experience with World Bank reporting platforms is an asset. Fluency in English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
A relevant degree in finance, business administration, international development, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or certifications in grants management or compliance are preferred, as they demonstrate a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in managing donor-funded projects.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in grants management, compliance, and donor reporting, particularly within large-scale, donor-funded projects. Experience working with World Bank-funded projects is essential, along with proven expertise in sub-grant management and compliance monitoring. A strong track record of providing technical assistance and capacity building to project teams and local partners is highly desirable, especially in multi-state or fragile/conflict contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the project locations may be considered an advantage, enhancing communication with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a national contract based in Kenya and Sudan, and candidates must be legally authorized to work in Kenya prior to application. The role may involve travel to various project locations, and the anticipated duration of the assignment will be informed by the needs of the agency and the type and level of the job. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, while benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. will be based on the country of employment. The agency is committed to safeguarding program participants and ensuring a safe working environment for all staff.