Grants and Partnership Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 employees, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the support they need during crises. NRC has been active in Bangladesh since 2018, responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis and addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The Grants and Partnership Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring effective grants management processes across the Bangladesh Country Office operations. This position involves overseeing donor compliance across the project portfolio and supporting the fundraising strategy to expand the grants portfolio. The role requires a seasoned leader who can develop and integrate distinctive strategies while fostering a collaborative environment. The manager will be responsible for building effective teams and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships with stakeholders. The position also entails leading the partnership strategy, ensuring that partnerships are strategically designed and compliant with donor requirements, while advancing quality partnerships and mutual accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Grants and Partnership Manager will be responsible for several key functions:

• Strategic Fundraising & Donor Engagement: This includes mapping donor policies, identifying new fundraising opportunities, developing innovative funding models, and maintaining strong relationships with strategic funding partners.
• Partnerships: Management of the partnership portfolio, ensuring that partnership agreements are strategically designed, compliant, and operationally fit for purpose.
• Consortia: Engaging in the development and strengthening of consortium ways of working and conducting funding horizon scanning.
• Risk Management: Overseeing partnership due diligence processes, reviewing donor contracts, and providing technical support and training on donor compliance.
• Coordination & Representation: Networking and information gathering to contribute to strategic decisions regarding fundraising and partnerships.
• Proposal Development & Reporting: Developing concept notes, proposals, donor agreements, and donor reports while ensuring consistency between budget and proposal documents.
• Project Cycle Management: Managing the project cycle, including grants opening, closure, and review meetings.
• Leadership: Line management of staff and ensuring the maintenance of high-quality information management systems.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess donor relations and grants management experience in a humanitarian or recovery context. They should have exposure to institutional humanitarian and development donors, along with a solid understanding of donor and partner rules, regulations, priorities, and compliance requirements. A proven track record in report and proposal development while working with multiple donors is essential. Experience in complex and volatile contexts, particularly with displacement-affected populations, is also required. Candidates should demonstrate strong interpersonal, networking, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.

Educational Background:
A relevant degree in a field related to humanitarian assistance, international development, or a similar area is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in grants management or partnership development may be advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience in donor relations and grants management, particularly in humanitarian contexts. Candidates should have a history of working with institutional donors and managing complex partnerships. Experience in proposal development and compliance with donor regulations is essential, as is familiarity with the challenges faced by displaced populations.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the context may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a contract duration of 12 months, subject to extension based on performance, requirements, and funding availability. The role involves approximately 30% travel. The position is classified as Grade 9 in NRC’s International Salary Scale, which includes a competitive compensation and benefits package. NRC is committed to diversity and encourages female candidates and individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. The organization emphasizes a culture of empowerment, encouraging employees to share ideas and take responsibility.