Grants Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• It has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and engage around 8,000 volunteers across various countries. The organization focuses on assisting refugees and internally displaced persons by providing emergency aid, advocating for their rights, and working towards sustainable solutions for their integration or return home. DRC operates in conflict-affected areas and along displacement routes, emphasizing a mission that aligns with its core values of humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. The organization aims for a dignified life for all displaced individuals, reflecting its commitment to humanitarian principles and community cooperation.

Job Overview:
The Grants Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting the Grants Manager by managing and administering the country program's portfolio of multiple grants across various locations and sectors. This position involves grant management, proposal development, and donor engagement, ensuring that high-quality and timely donor reporting is achieved. The Grants Specialist is responsible for providing expert support on grants management and donor compliance, ensuring that all processes and requirements are well understood by the program and support teams. Collaboration is key, as the Grants Specialist will work closely with various offices and units within Yemen operations, including Area Managers, Technical Program teams, Partnerships and Communications, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning), Finance, and others. The role also requires interaction with DRC staff in regional offices and headquarters, donors, and program partners, making it essential for the Grants Specialist to have strong communication and organizational skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Grants Specialist's duties include managing and supervising internal and external reporting to ensure high-quality, well-written, and timely reports that meet donor and DRC requirements. This involves facilitating the review of reports by DRC’s headquarters and regional offices, incorporating feedback, and addressing any questions or comments. The Grants Specialist will maintain the grants system, including grant files, project documentation, donor communication, and trackers, while keeping an overview of deadlines and requirements for financial and narrative reports, proposals, and amendment requests. Additionally, the role requires contributing to the writing and compiling of proposals, reviewing them for consistency, compliance, language, and overall quality in line with DRC’s fundraising strategy. The Grants Specialist will also provide expert advice on grants management and donor compliance, review donor contracts, and educate project staff on award compliance issues. Coordination of Kick Off, Review, and Closure Meetings for all grants is essential to ensure donor compliance and operational integration. The Grants Specialist will assist the Grants Manager in maintaining updated information on donor priorities and funding opportunities, as well as updating grants processes and procedures to ensure compliance with DRC's Grants Management Handbook. Representation of DRC in external meetings and assisting with donor liaison and communication is also part of the role. Training and capacity building for program and operation staff in donor compliance and grants management processes is crucial to enhance quality within DRC operations, including report writing and project cycle management. The Grants Specialist will contribute to the development of training materials and facilitate trainings for DRC staff and local partners, providing ad hoc support as needed and conducting field visits when possible. Lastly, the Grants Specialist must ensure adherence to DRC's Code of Conduct and zero tolerance policy for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), integrating Protection and Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming into DRC programming, and reviewing communication products developed by the Communication Officer as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least three years of technical experience in grants management, including humanitarian and development funding, proposal writing, report writing, donor compliance, and project cycle management. Demonstrated experience in developing and revising donor reports and proposals for EU, UN, and US donors is essential. Experience managing proposal development and writing processes for relevant EU, UN, and US donors is also required. Candidates should have fluent English writing skills to the highest professional standard and at least one year of experience working in humanitarian contexts similar to Yemen, preferably for NGOs. The ability to perform complex tasks, prioritize multiple projects, analyze budgets for compliance with donor guidelines, and manage program cycles is crucial. Candidates must be proactive, detail-oriented, and possess excellent interpersonal skills, being culturally sensitive and adaptable.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in political science, international development, economics, or any other relevant field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills needed to effectively manage grants and engage with various stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant technical experience in grants management, with a strong emphasis on humanitarian and development funding. Candidates should have a proven track record in proposal writing, report writing, donor compliance, and project cycle management. Experience in developing and revising donor reports and proposals for major international donors such as the EU, UN, and US is essential, along with at least one year of experience in humanitarian contexts similar to Yemen, preferably within NGOs. The ability to manage multiple projects and tasks under tight deadlines is critical, as is the capacity to work independently with minimal supervision.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. This proficiency is essential for effective communication with donors, stakeholders, and team members, as well as for producing high-quality reports and proposals. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in enhancing communication with local partners and communities.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a one-year contract and is classified within the non-Management (G2) band. The Grants Specialist will report to the Grants Management Manager and is expected to start as soon as possible. The duty station for this role is Sana'a, Yemen. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s National Terms of Employment. The role requires the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies, which include striving for excellence, collaborating with relevant parties, taking the lead in initiatives, communicating effectively, and demonstrating integrity in all professional conduct.