The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate is to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 700 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt it durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Grants Management Specialist to join our office in Kyiv.

About the job

You will play a key support role to the Grants Management Manager in building and administering the country program’s portfolio of multiple grants across all locations and sectors in which DRC operates in Ukraine. The overall purpose of the Grants Management Specialist position is to support grants management, proposal development, ensuring high-quality and timely donor reporting and engagement with donors, as well as ensuring that all grants’ processes and donor requirements are met for the assigned portfolio. At least 60% of your time will be dedicated for in proactively identifying funding opportunities, and coordinating concept and proposal development together with the Grants Management Manager.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Grants acquisition and proposal development (60%)

• In coordination with the Grants Management Manager and Head of Programmes, proactively identify and respond to grant opportunities that are in line with DRC Ukraine priorities and objectives.
• In coordination with the Grants Manager and Head of Programmes, review/update the Funding Strategy to guide resource mobilization efforts, reviewing it regularly for relevancy and donor landscape.
• Assist the Grants Management Manager in regularly updating the fundraising tracker; identifying and pursuing opportunities for pre-positioning with donors, and actively informing the team of potential opportunities.
• Lead or assist on the proposal development process and developing and submitting high-quality concepts and proposals to donors.

Grants management and compliance (40%)

• For assigned grants, keep abreast of, interpret, and provide guidance to staff on donor regulations and policies, ensuring thorough understanding of grant requirements and compliance issues.
• Ensure quality information management related to grants, including managing the DRC Dynamics for specific grants and in-country trackers.
• Assist the Grants Management Manager in updating grants processes and procedure and ensure compliance with DRCs Grants Management Handbook.
• Coordinate and facilitate Grants Opening, Review and Close-out Meetings for assigned grants.
• Participate in area project reviews to ensure that grants are implemented on time, on target, and within budget, and advise on donor guidelines and requirements should there be any deviations.
• Facilitate or assist on grants modification processes, whenever needed.
• Manage donor reporting for assigned grants, ensuring high-quality and timely submission of reports meeting the donor and DRC standards.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 3-5 years technical experience in grants management, including grants acquisition/fundraising, proposal writing, report writing, donor compliance and project cycle management. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, social work, development studies, political science, or any other relevant field.
• Knowledge of donor rules, regulations and procedures including but not limited to US and European donors, EU funding mechanisms, and UN agencies.
• Demonstrated experience working with both humanitarian and development donors such as BHA, SIDA, ECHO, the UN and others.
• Knowledge and experience with DRC’s program sectors in Ukraine, is an advantage (e.g., protection, shelter, economic recovery and humanitarian mine actions).
• Advanced written and spoken English language skills. Expressing ideas clearly and effectively, both in spoken and written English is a must for this role.
• Demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and cope with competing demands under tight deadlines.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: One year contract (until 31 May 2025, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and budget availability)
• Band: G – Non-Managerial
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv
• Start date: 01 June 2024

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 09 May 2024

Please note, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the opening may end early if a suitable candidate is identified.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.