Regional Institutional Funding Officer Central & West Africa
Description of the unit / department: The Central & West Africa Region (CAWA) is one of five regions globally in which Trócaire works. The Region consists of Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The CAWA Regional Manager is based in Kinshasa, DRC, with Regional Programme Managers based in Freetown (covering Sierra Leone and Liberia) and Kigali (covering Rwanda and Burundi).
Background to the role: The position of Regional Institutional Funding Officer was established as part of Trócaire’s organisational strategy of increasing income from institutional donors other than Irish Aid. In CAWA, funds are currently being managed from the European Union and DFID, and the objective is to expand the range of institutional donors supporting the region. Reporting to: Regional Manager, Central & West Africa
Managing: (Individuals/Team) None Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration: Two Years Grade and Scale: Overseas Programme Officer Scale Location of Position Based in Kigali, Rwanda, or Kinshasa, DRC, with regular travel around the CAWA Region. Scope of the Role:
Trócaire is currently implementing eight programmes across the region, in the areas of livelihoods, governance & human rights, and gender. The acquisition of institutional funding, to complement income from the Irish public, is essential in maintaining support to programmes and partners in the region. This role supports the work of Trócaire in the five CAWA countries by securing programme funding from institutional donors and large foundations, developing capacity in this area and supporting existing programme implementation.
The role: • Strengthens existing contacts with donors in the Region and supports programme staff and management to establish and build new donor contacts. • Provides support to Regional Trócaire staff and partners on donor interests and requirements. • Leads in the development of strategies to maximise income from existing and new donors. • Liaises directly with partners in agreement with regional Programme Officers and country managers. • Assists in proposal development and finalises reports for donors, in agreement with the relevant Programme Officer, Regional Programme Manager and Regional Manager. Key Duties & Responsibilities 1. Regional / Country Funding Strategies • Analyse Regional/Country Strategic Plans and country Programme Proposal Documents (PPDs). • Collate information on donor priorities and strategies for countries of responsibility, identifying thematic and geographic areas of overlap with Trócaire priorities. This will include uploading relevant information on the organisational Management Information System. • Develop Regional/Country Funding Strategy Papers and annual action plans for countries of responsibility. • Work closely with the Institutional Funding Unit in Ireland, in order to coordinate contacts with / applications to donors.
Programme Funding Support Work Based on the relevant strategic plan, in close collaboration with CAWA colleagues and identified local partners, as approved by the Regional Manager: • Identify initiatives for submission to institutional donors. • Assist programme staff with the preparation of concept notes and negotiations with donors. • Work with programme staff, supporting them in the preparation and submission of full proposals. • Liaise with donors and negotiate contracts. • Monitor contracts and ensure donors are informed about any major changes and/or delays. • Agree with the Regional Manager / Regional Programme Manager respective responsibilities for project monitoring, reporting, evaluation and auditing (documented in a Memorandum of Understanding – MoU). • According to the MoU, support project implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation, settlement and closure, ensuring full compliance with donor requirements. • Engage actively with programme staff in the elaboration of complex programmes and initiatives. • Provide assistance to and collaborate with the Institutional Funding Unit, where appropriate. • Work with other Regional Institutional Funding Officers on cross regional and global applications and grant management. • Ensure all programme and project documentation is kept as appropriate on Trócaire’s Management Information System
Promote the Development of Trócaire and Partner Programme Funding Capacities
In close collaboration with CAWA programme and finance staff and in line with organisational policies:
• Identify direct funding opportunities for suitable partners. • Identify partner capacity-building needs for directly accessing/managing donor funds. • Promote the development of partner capacity in donor project / programme identification, development, Programme Monitoring and Evaluation, budgeting and financial management. • Promote the development of partner capacity in proposal and report writing for donor projects. • Inform/train programme staff and partners on funding issues, ensuring they are able to identify, follow-up and manage funding opportunities according to donor requirements.
Coordination, Learning and Review • Contribute to Regional and International Division learning exercises, including the annual regional meeting and relevant headquarters initiatives. • Participate in wider organisational planning and review work, as and where appropriate. • Provide support to colleagues in defined sectoral areas, according to expertise. • Attend office, regional, departmental and organisation training courses as required/relevant. • Communicate with the organisational Institutional Funding Unit regularly.
Represent Trócaire’s Work Internally & Externally In agreement with the Regional Manager and relevant Regional Programme Manager / Programme Officer:
• Represent Trócaire programmes / projects to official donors and to church and church-based partners, including CARITAS Internationalis member organisations. • Deputise for colleagues as representative to Irish and European networks relating to funding and emergencies, in agreement with Maynooth Humanitarian and Institutional Funding staff.
- Other Duties • Ensure that HIV, Gender and vulnerability issues are addressed in all aspects of programme funding work, in relation to partners and in working with colleagues in Trócaire. • Any other reasonable duty as may be assigned by the Regional Manager or Regional Programme Manger that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. This may include the promotion of Trócaire through the media and in conjunction with discussions with the Trócaire Communications Unit
Person Specification – Essential Requirements (E) (E) Qualification • Third level qualification in: Social Science, Development Studies, or related area (E) Experience • Experience of proposal and report writing for donors such as the EC, Irish Aid, DFID, USAID, Trusts and Foundations. • Proven success of securing funds from official donors. • Planning, monitoring and reporting on development and/or emergency programmes. • Experience of working with partner organisations. • Two years overseas experience (E) Skills • Excellent writing skills, including proposals & reports. • Excellent numeracy skills for budgeting and financial analysis. • Project planning, monitoring and evaluation techniques, especially logical or results frameworks. • Good verbal and written communication, presentation and facilitation skills. • Good analytical and negotiation skills. • Good IT skills, especially word processing & spreadsheets. • Strong administrative skills. • Fluent in both English and French (spoken & written). (E) Qualities • Commitment to Trócaire’s Vision, Mission and Values and an understanding of a partnership approach to development. • Sympathetic understanding of the Catholic Church’s role in relief and development. • Excellent networking skills with the ability to establish good relationships, confident in engaging with senior people. • Culturally sensitive and diplomatic. • Self motivated with proven ability to take the initiative. • Able to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines. • Flexible and adaptable. • Capable of a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. • Strong team player • Able to learn from experience and apply to future work. • Able and prepared to travel extensively within the CAWA Region, possibly to areas of instability or conflict. (E) Knowledge • Good knowledge of institutional donors, particularly the EU, Irish Aid and DFID. • Good understanding of international development issues. • Financial controls and procedures. • Project and Programme Cycle Management. (E) Other
Person Specification – Desirable Requirements (D) (D) Qualifications • Degree / post-graduate qualification in development studies or a related subject. (D) Experience • Substantive experience of working in a developing country. (D) Knowledge • In depth / firsthand knowledge of Central & West Africa. • Familiarity with SPHERE standards and Codes of Conduct. • Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and Gender issues in a development context. Please note this post may be based in DRC or in Rwanda
To apply for this position please send completed application form to Jason Rice, HR Officer, Trocaire, Maynooth, Co. Kildare or email jobs@trocaire.ie. Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 12th August 2011.
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