Grants Specialist

Position description

The Fund for Global Human Rights (the Fund) is a leading supporter of on-the-ground human rights groups around the world. Dedicated to identifying and investing in the most effective human rights organizations in regions from Latin America to Africa to Southeast Asia, the Fund for Global Human Rights offers grants and facilitates technical support to ensure the long-term effectiveness and viability of front-line groups working in challenging conditions with scant resources.

As an employer active in the field of human rights, The Fund is deeply committed to the overall well-being of its staff. It envisions a people centric workplace characterized by compassion, empathy, and balance. Its values are respect, integrity, agility, sustainability, and inclusivity. As the organization adapts and changes, it looks to its values to root and guide itself. Values are woven into The Fund Theory of Change and used to guide its direction and make decisions.

This is an exciting time at the Fund, having been undertaking a Strategic Review and being about to embark on an Operational Review to optimize our internal structures and systems to support the delivery of the Fund’s mission and strategic direction.

Your role:

The Grantmaking Operations team sits within the Fund’s Operations department and is primarily focused on ensuring that resources are reaching frontline activist organizations. The team seeks to hire a Grants Specialist who will report to the Managers of Grantmaking Operations and manage the Fund’s most complex grantmaking programs.

The successful candidate will join a high-performing, enthusiastic grants management team, a deeply committed global staff, and an organization constantly learning and adapting to global contexts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION:

Grantmaking

• Manage due diligence and enhanced grantmaking protocols for a highly complex and high-volume portfolio of grants spanning 50+ countries.
  1. Inform the development and implementation of grantmaking plans, ensuring they are robust and responsive to changing contexts and needs.
  2. Research compliance and financial regulation for various country contexts as needed and flag potential areas of risk to the Manager of Grantmaking Policy and Models.
  3. Identify and flag operational challenges that may have an impact on programmatic grantmaking ambitions, potential donor commitments or grantmaking advisory bodies.
  4. Coordinate with Program and Grantmaking Operations to ensure grants and grantee relationships are managed according to their risk level and operating context.
  5. Together with Program, Fundraising and Finance teams coordinate grant recommendation processes and timeline for grantmaking portfolios.
     • Prepare and organize applicant materials and prospective grantee documents for all LEF cohorts.
     • Manage incoming grant proposals and evaluate eligibility of prospective grantees in line with grantmaking due diligence protocols.
     • Serve as the primary point of contact for grantees, enhancing grantee relations and maintaining communication in multiple languages, including but not limited to English and French.
     • Coordinate translation of grant and program related materials in line with portfolio grantmaking, (i.e., ensuring all grant and program documents are tailored according to program initiatives and compliance needs)
     • Participate (and lead as needed) in regular check-ins, strategic meetings and retreats to help coordinate the workflow of grantmaking, shape grantmaking budgets and collaboration with external stakeholders.
     • Actively contribute to fundraising stages by integrating data-driven insights and compelling narratives in proposals and evaluation reports.

Database and Systems Administration

• Contribute to the management of the Fund’s grants management system.
  1. Maintain accurate grant and grantee records – updating grant, organization and contact records daily, updating budget trackers periodically and ensuring OFAC compliance.
  2. Generate reports and dashboards for colleagues across departments, as needed.
  3. Code all grantmaking requests and budgeting information.
• Enhance the grants management system functionalities, including coding and back-end development for improved user experience and data integrity.
  1. Collaborate with Grantmaking Operations colleagues to test new releases to grantmaking database, identifying improvements and addressing bugs.
  2. Contribute to the design and creation of the EOI and proposal forms in the grants management system.
  3. Facilitate the successful launch of newly implemented workflows and forms within the grants management system by identifying and assisting in the resolution of issues, ensuring optimal functionality and user experience.
  4. Support the design and implementation of grantee portals to facilitate efficient interactions and reporting.
  5. Collaborate with Grants Management colleagues to test new releases to grantmaking database, identifying improvements and addressing bugs.

Project Coordination

• Lead on GM internal projects; brainstorming and implementing workflow solutions to team endeavors, ensuring cohesive and aligned project reporting and closing.
• Provide support to the Manager of Grantmaking Systems & Projects
  1. Support engagement with all project stakeholders, gathering and integrating feedback to improve project management processes.
  2. Proactively identify risks associated with projects; recommending effective solutions to ensure successful implementation.
  3. Inform the scheduling and coordination of project activities, including meetings and deadlines, in coordination with Legal Empowerment Fund team.
  4. Document project outcomes and adaptations; ensuring learning is embedded in LEF grantmaking operations.

Your Team:

This position is part of the Fund’s Grantmaking Operations Team. The team is comprised of one Director, two Managers and four Specialists spread between the US and UK offices. This position will report to the Manager of Systems & Projects and will be based in the UK or US.

You Have - Candidates should demonstrate the following range of skills, experience, and qualities:

• Three years of relevant work experience, e.g., managing workflows, projects, and processes + at least one year of complementary education or experience working in human rights, program, or fundraising
• Demonstrated experience navigating legal and financial frameworks in the UK/US and working knowledge of international grantmaking funding trends and nuances.
• Strong project management skills, including software and people and process management.
• Initiative and strong sense of follow up, demonstrating the ability to keep track of multiple streams of cross-sectional work, and drive forward momentum.
• Diplomacy and the ability to manage sensitive data in a confidential and appropriate manner.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills
• Exceptional and consistent attention to detail while managing complex tasks and/or large work portfolios in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communica6tion skills with the ability to convey information accurately and listen effectively.
• Working knowledge of databases and proficiency in Microsoft Office Teams among other applications
• Strategic and analytical thinker; anticipates the impact of changes—small and large on workflows and process.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Fluent in English and strong working proficiency in French (written and verbal)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (I.E. NICE TO HAVE, BUT NOT CRITICAL)

• Experience in a non-profit environment; grants management experience at private or public foundation a plus.
• Experience in or demonstrated interest in human rights and/or social justice issues.
• Additional language proficiency, especially in French, Spanish, or Arabic.
• Familiarity with US and/or UK non-profit compliance requirements and best practices.
• Familiarity with grants management systems, especially Fluxx.

The ideal candidate will also possess the following attributes:

• A constructive and solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Works proactively to address molehills before they become mountains.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving, ever-changing environment.
• Enterprising, curious, and willing to take on new projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills and thrives in collaborative, diverse team settings.
• Customer service oriented; understands who we serve and considers the client(s) when managing change.

Application instructions

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