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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect a dedication to the rights and dignity of all individuals. The agency fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving the lives of the poor globally, and welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
The Grants & Compliance Manager will oversee grants and compliance activities for the Thabat project, which is funded by the World Bank. This role is crucial in ensuring that all financial, programmatic, and operational activities comply with World Bank regulations, donor contractual requirements, and organizational policies. The manager will establish and maintain a robust reporting and tracking system to monitor donor deliverables, deadlines, and compliance obligations. This position requires proactive monitoring of grant processes across multiple states and the implementation of rigorous compliance systems. The manager will also provide technical guidance to hub and state-level teams in Medani, Darfur, and other project locations, ensuring that all aspects of grant management are executed effectively and in alignment with donor expectations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Grants Management & Compliance: Maintain an up-to-date compliance tracker for all donor deliverables, deadlines, and obligations. Ensure timely preparation and submission of high-quality narrative and financial reports in line with donor requirements. Track and follow up on all World Bank requests and actions throughout project implementation. Develop, implement, and oversee grant management systems to ensure compliance with World Bank and organizational requirements. Provide regular compliance updates and risk analysis to the project management unit. Coordinate Semi-Annual Audit preparations including but not limited to Audit ToR, preparation of audit trial and supporting documentation.
• Reporting & Tracking: Establish and manage a centralized reporting system for donor deliverables and program milestones. Consolidate reports and data from state-level teams, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and timeliness. Monitor progress toward grant deliverables, identifying potential delays or risks, and coordinating corrective actions. Maintain documentation and records in compliance with audit and donor requirements.
• Sub-Granting & Partner Oversight: Lead the full cycle of sub-grant management, including development and dissemination of RFAs. Conduct due diligence and organizational capacity assessments of potential sub-grantees. Draft, review, and monitor sub-grant agreements to ensure clear deliverables and compliance obligations. Provide training and ongoing support to sub-grantees on compliance, reporting, and World Bank requirements. Monitor sub-grantee performance, conduct compliance visits, and address any issues of non-compliance.
• Capacity Building & Technical Support: Provide technical guidance and mentoring to hub and state-level teams on grants management and compliance. Design and deliver training sessions on donor compliance, reporting, and documentation standards. Strengthen internal systems to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability across all project locations. Foster a culture of compliance, learning, and continuous improvement within the project.
• Risk Management & Continuous Improvement: Identify and address compliance risks related to grants and sub-grants. Recommend and implement improvements to policies, systems, and procedures. Ensure the project is audit-ready at all times and coordinate audit processes as required. Integrate lessons learned and best practices into future grants and compliance processes.

Required Qualifications:
In-depth knowledge of World Bank regulations, donor compliance frameworks, and financial reporting standards is essential. Candidates should possess excellent analytical, risk management, and problem-solving abilities, along with strong organizational and project management skills. The ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines is crucial. Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills are required. High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is necessary, and familiarity with grant management systems, particularly experience with World Bank reporting platforms (e.g., STEP, Client Connection), is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
A relevant degree in finance, business administration, international development, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or certifications in project management or compliance are preferred and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in grants management, compliance, and donor reporting within large-scale, donor-funded projects. Demonstrated experience working with World Bank–funded projects is essential. Proven expertise in sub-grant management, including RFAs, due diligence assessments, agreement development, and compliance monitoring is required. Experience coordinating donor audits and managing compliance documentation is also necessary. A strong track record of providing technical assistance and capacity building to multi-level project teams and local partners is highly desirable, particularly in multi-state or fragile/conflict contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the project locations may be considered an asset and could enhance communication with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a national contract based in Kenya and Sudan, and all candidates must be legally authorized to work in Kenya prior to application. The role may involve travel to various project locations, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel requirements. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S. based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment will be informed by a term limit based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.