Institutional Funding Officer in Rwanda, DRC and Sierra Leone

Description of the unit / department: The current 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.

However as of September 2013 with organisational changes taking place Burundi and Liberia are to be phased out and the remaining three countries will be joined by Zimbabwe and Malawi to form an expanded West, Central and Southern Africa Region. In the new region it is anticipated that two institutional Funding Officers will be required to deliver strategy.

Line management of this position is to be confirmed but will either be the current Regional Manager (and new Head of Region) or the Country Director of the country where the position will be located.

Background to the role: The position of 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, Comic Relief and DFID amongst others.

The principle objective of the Institutional Funding Officer is to support the country teams in planning for, securing and managing institutional funding.

Reporting to: Regional Manager, Central & West Africa (subsequently the new Head of Region) or Country Director of country of location (tbc)

Managing: (Individuals/Team) None Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration: Two years Grade and Scale: Overseas Programme Officer Scale Location of Position Kigali, Rwanda

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 and management of institutional funding, to complement income from the Irish public, is essential in maintaining support to programmes and partners in the region.

Up until August 2013 this role will support Trócaire’s teams in the five CAWA countries to plan for, secure and/or manage institutional funding to enable the successful programme delivery in line with country strategies. By June 2014 only three countries will remain in central and west Africa but it is anticipated that these country’s programmes will grow with increased institutional funding over the coming years. The success of the Institutional Finding Officer role is critical to deliver this growth.

Key Duties & Responsibilities 1. Country Funding Strategies • 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. • Support country teams in the development of Country Strategic Plans and reporting against delivery • Support country teams in the development of Country Funding Strategy Papers and annual action plans. • Work closely with the Institutional Funding Unit in Ireland to coordinate contacts with/applications to donors.

1. Programme Funding Support Work • Assist country teams in the identification of opportunities for institutional funding for specific programmes • Support country teams in the preparation and submission of concept notes and full proposals. • Support the country teams in monitoring contracts and ensuring donors are informed about any major changes and/or delays. • Provide assistance to and collaborate with the Institutional Funding Unit, where appropriate. • Lead on coordination of multi-country and/or cross regional donor proposals • Support the country teams to ensure all programme and project documentation is kept as appropriate on Trócaire’s Management Information System
2. Trócaire and Partner institutional Funding Capacities
   • Identify direct funding opportunities for suitable partners. • Work with country teams to promote the development of partner capacity in donor project/programme identification, development, monitoring, evaluation and reporting • Work with country teams to 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.
3. Grant management and compliance • Providing in-country staff with technical support and additional resource capacity to enable professional grant management and full, timely compliance with donor requirements
4. Represention • Represent Trócaire and the organisation’s programmes/ projects to external parties as appropriate
   • Deputise for colleagues as Trócaire’s representative to external parties including Irish and European networks relating to funding
5. Other • 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 line manager that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. • Participate in wider organisational planning and review work, as and where appropriate.

Person Specification – Essential (E), Desirable (D) Qualification • Third level qualification in: Social Science, Development Studies, or related area (E) • Degree / post-graduate qualification in development studies or a related subject (D) Experience • Experience of proposal and report writing for donors such as the EC, Irish Aid, DFID, USAID, Trusts and Foundations (E) • Planning, monitoring and reporting on development and/or emergency programmes (E) • Experience of working with partner organisations (E) • Experience of results based management (D) • Overseas experience (D) Skills • Excellent writing skills (E) • Excellent numeracy skills for budgeting and financial analysis (E) • Good verbal and written communication, presentation and facilitation skills (E) • Good analytical and negotiation skills (E) • Good IT skills, especially word processing & spreadsheets. • Strong administrative skills (E) • 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 (E) • Excellent networking skills with the ability to establish good relationships, confident in engaging with senior people (E) • Culturally sensitive and diplomatic (E) • Self motivated with proven ability to take the initiative (E) • Able to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines (E) • Flexible and adaptable (E) • Capable of a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. • Strong team player (E) Knowledge • Good knowledge of institutional donors, particularly the EU, Irish Aid and DFID (E) • Good understanding of international development issues (E) • Project and Programme Cycle Management particularly models and results frameworks (E) • In depth / firsthand knowledge of Central & West Africa (D) • Familiarity with SPHERE standards and Codes of Conduct (D) • Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and Gender issues in a development context (D) Other • Able and prepared to travel extensively within the region, possibly to areas of instability or conflict (E)

How to apply:

To apply, please send a copy of your CV (résumé) and application letter, quoting the reference number above to: Helen Rafferty HR Partner Trócaire Maynooth, Co. Kildare Ireland Email: jobs@Trócaire.ie Fax: 353-1-6290664