Country Grants Officer

Organisational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, acting as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in 1980 and has a presence in 58 countries. JRS undertakes services at national levels with the global support through Regional Offices (ROs) and the International Office (IO) in Rome.

The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. The main services provided are in the field of Reconciliation, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Education & Livelihoods, and Advocacy. Currently, about 1 million individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

In 2017, JRS arrived in Nigeria in the midst of the Boko Haram insurgency to conduct a needs assessment in the Northeast Region. Based on the findings of the assessment, JRS opened its country office in Abuja and its first field office in Mubi, (in Adamawa State) in 2018.  JRS started implementing projects in the same year, starting with teacher training. Since then, JRS Nigeria has expanded operations to Taraba, Zamfara, Adamawa, Borno, Delta, and Edo States, working with refugees, IDPs, and member of the host community. 

In Taraba State, JRS Nigeria implements projects in response to the influx of Cameroonian refugees fleeing the anglophone conflict. Interventions in this state are in the areas of education, health, and protection. In Zamfara State, JRS Nigeria focuses on protection interventions for IDPs, returnees and vulnerable members of the host community s in response to the insecurity situation in Northwest Nigeria. In Borno and Adamawa, JRS Nigeria implements education and livelihood programming, with a gender and youth focus.

As the lead of a consortium with other catholic congregations, JRS Nigeria currently provides livelihoods, protection, and reintegration services for displaced persons, irregular migrants, returnees and vulnerable host community members in Adamawa, Borno, Delta, and Edo States.

Operational Context

1) The position is part of the Country Management Team of JRS Nigeria, which also includes Head of Programs, Finance Manager, Human Resources Manager.

 

In general terms, the Country Management Team has executive management responsibility over JRS Nigeria and ensures the local implementation of JRS strategic goals.

 

2) At the same time, the position is part of and will collaborate with JRS’s global grants team, which is led by the IO’s Head of Grants. The position reports to the Country Director of JRS Nigeria with a dotted reporting line to the Head of Grants at the IO, who may assign specific tasks to the Country Grants Officer, following consultation with the Country Director, and provide input on the Performance Evaluation of the postholder.

Main responsibilities of the position.

This position is responsible for resource mobilisation at country level under the supervision of the Country Director and in collaboration with colleagues in the Country Office and global JRS. This includes the development of a resource mobilisation strategy and its implementation through competitive funding proposals, outstanding donor stewardship, and strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Engagement with Project Directors is to be coordinated with the Country Programmes Officer.

Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1.     Country Resource Mobilisation Strategy

a.     Develop a multi-year resource mobilisation strategy for JRS Nigeria

b.    Lead the implementation of the JRS Nigeria resource mobilisation strategy and the achievement of annual funding targets.

c.     Monitor donor trends and relevant grant-making rules and regulations in Nigeria.

d.    Seek and maximise funding opportunities from a variety of sources and expand the donor portfolio in Nigeria.

e.    Develop a mechanism to regularly review funding needs and priorities with relevant Country Office colleagues and ensure alignment of the resource mobilisation strategy.

 

2.    Resource Acquisition and Donor Stewardship

a.     In close collaboration with relevant colleagues in the Country Office, lead the preparation and submission of funding proposals from concept through to award, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and priorities, as well as sign off by the Country Director prior to submission.

b.    With oversight from the Country Director, and in coordination with colleagues in the Country Office, collaborate with the RO, the IO and JRS/USA Office Staff for applications, reports and grant compliance for donors channelled via the RO, IO and/or JRS/USA.

c.   Support the Country Programmes Officer with the development of JRS Nigeria programmes and project plans, by providing context on the donor funding environment, donor requirements and specific opportunities in the funding pipeline.

d.    Together with the Country Director, ensure strong stewardship of donors, in coordination with other JRS offices in case of joint donors.

e.    Represent JRS Nigeria in meetings with donors, consortia, and partners regarding resource mobilisation and partnership opportunities.

f.      In coordination with the Country Programmes Officer and Country Communications Officer, gather content for donor stewardship.

 

3.    Grant Management

a.     Manage the JRS Nigeria grants portfolio.

b.    Coordinate with colleagues in the Country Office to ensure compliance with grant commitments and applicable donor rules and regulations.

c.     Coordinate with Country Programmes and Finance colleagues for the development of accurate grant reports and ensure their timely submission according to the donor’s requirements.

d.    Ensure up-to-date records in the grants module of the JRS Information Management System (once made available).

 

4.    Capacity Building

a.     Lead capacity building of country and project staff in proposal development and donor compliance, in coordination with the relevant colleagues in the Country Office, and share donor feedback for learning.

b.    Contribute to the global JRS Grants Community of Practice.

Qualifications and Competencies

·       Advanced university degree in Management, Political Sciences, Law, International Development or another relevant discipline.

·       At least five (5) years of relevant work experience with humanitarian/development donor-funded programmes.

·       Strong experience with grant acquisition, donor stewardship, and grant management.

·       Familiarity with templates and procedures used by grant-makers.

·       Experience with financial reporting.

·       Strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills.

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.

·       Ability to work with CRM, grants and programmes systems.

·       Excellent communication and presentation capacities, able to persuasively articulate JRS’s message and impact to external audiences.

·       Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural, international environment.

Languages

·       Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English.

Required Core Values

·       Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.

·       High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.

·       Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value.

Travel

The position may require frequent travel to JRS locations in Nigeria and possible occasional international travel.

 

How to apply

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents:

·       A cover letter describing the candidate’s desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position.

·       Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including three (3) professional references with contact information, phone and email address.