Overview
The Deputy Director for Grants and Accountability (DDGA) is a central figure within the IRC country program management and support infrastructure, a member of the senior management team, and leads a team focusing on effective awards and donor relationship management, business development, partnerships, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and client accountability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Grants & Partnerships unit, ensuring effective management of all awards and sub-awards, including award reviews, timely reporting, and compliance.
- Implement IRC Kenya’s fundraising strategy, including donor engagement, reviewing funding calls, and leading proposal development.
- Provide oversight and mentorship to the Grants Coordinator and partnerships team.
- Review grant agreements and contracts, ensuring proper post-award management.
- Develop a deep understanding of donor policies and train country team members.
- Ensure an information management and filing system for donor documents.
- Review funding opportunities and schedule go/no-go meetings.
- Coordinate proposal development and submission processes.
- Serve as interlocutor with Regional Awards Management Unit (AMU) and International Philanthropy and Partnerships (IPP) units.
- Lead grant portfolio reviews and inform SMT of spending trends.
- Ensure effective communication with donors.
- Develop and maintain a Kenya-focused Business Development Strategy and Pipeline.
- Identify new donors for engagement and fundraising.
- Provide quality assurance for proposal development and conduct final reviews.
- Lead proposal development, writing, editing, and consolidating technical input.
- Conduct strategic engagement with donors and represent IRC Kenya.
- Facilitate the process of spending funding through local partners.
- Serve as strategic leadership and focal point for achieving the Partnerships ambition.
- Ensure achievement of goals related to the SAP partnerships ambition.
- Embody and model IRC values related to partnerships.
- Understand and mentor others on IRC partnerships processes outlined in the Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results (PEERS) system.
- Mobilize resources from IRC’s HQ Partnership Unit.
- Provide troubleshooting support to partnerships team.
- Report to SMT on progress towards partnership goals.
- Oversee the MEAL unit, including monitoring and evaluation, learning, and client accountability.
- Provide strategic leadership for the MEAL unit.
- Lead efforts related to the Client Accountability SAP ambition and Client-Centered IMPACT standard.
- Create systems and processes for integrating client feedback into program design and delivery.
- Coordinate with the Deputy Director for Programs (DDP) to manage the transition of Client Accountability responsibility.
- Ensure MEAL data is reviewed and used by program leadership for decision making.
- Advocate for MEAL resources during budget development.
- Lead the M&E team and revise how IRC Kenya measures quality programming.
- Oversee MEAL staff at all field sites.
- Regularly review MEAL systems and processes.
- Conduct regular data quality audits (DQAs) and joint monitoring visits.
- Maintain program assessment tracker and align planned assessments with program needs.
- Lead the design, implementation, and analysis of all assessments and surveys.
- Compile and review Annual Statistics.
- Lead on uptake of Program Indicator Dashboard (PID) and other MEAL-related technology.
- Serve as SMT member and contribute to resolution of management challenges.
- Actively participate in and contribute to strategy discussions.
- Stay updated on new IRC priorities, policies, or process updates.
Required Experience
At least 8 years of experience working in grants management and business development, ideally in a humanitarian and development context. At least 3 years of experience leading M&E functions within a humanitarian organization. Sound knowledge of donor regulations (in particular ECHO, US Government donor, UN agencies, FCDO). Working in a Non-governmental organization will be an added advantage.
Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent experience in international development or related subject
