Programme Support Officer

Job Title: Programme Support Officer – Grants and Partnerships

Reports to: Programme Director

Terms: Fixed Term, Full time, Unaccompanied

Location: Bangui, Central African Republic

Salary: €12,329 volunteer allowance

Requirements: The role will include travel to project areas

About Concern:

Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose:

Please note that this is a volunteer position. You will play a key role in supporting and developing Concern’s programme in the CAR by researching and analysing funding opportunities, ensuring the timely submission of high-quality proposals and reports, and maintaining Concern’s compliance with State, donor and partner requirements. In addition, you will assist the team in developing effective local partnerships.

Responsibilities:

Programme Development 40%

• Under the guidance of the PD and the CD, carry out research on potential donors in order to understand their mission, policies, strategies, procedures and priorities.
• Provide regular updates on in country donor and stakeholder profiles, including priorities for investment, and potential funding opportunities.
• Provide information to, and coordinate with the Head Office-based Desk Officer and fundraising teams in Dublin, London and New York on opportunities for funding, which align with the Country Strategic Plan.
• Be aware of and engage in relevant networks that might generate opportunities for the country programme.
• Support the coordination and writing of concept notes and proposals, under the guidance of the PD.
• Help develop internal work plans for the submission of proposals and where appropriate coordinate inputs from finance, operational and Head Office staff (including technical advisors).
• Ensure project proposals and concept notes adhere to donor and organizational rules and are ready for submission within given deadlines.
• Help prepare the programme portion of donor budgets in collaboration with Project managers, Area Coordinators, Base managers and the Country Finance Controller.
• Support liaison with Country Finance Controller to ensure financial compliance of all proposals.

Reporting and compliance 30%

• Support grant compliance for all of CAR’s programmes, in close coordination with the Compliance and Internal Auditor.
• Ensure that grant management meetings are held at the key stages of each grant (Opening, Interim and Closing), and that the appropriate records are kept of each meeting.
• Disseminate audit information and facilitate training on donor procedures and requirements to all teams in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain grant management tools, such as funding and grant trackers, reporting templates and calendars, and ensure all teams are aware of these timelines.
• Liaise with the Desk Officer in Dublin, Grant Owners and relevant members of the Country Management Team to ensure all contract documents for grants are appropriately saved for current and past grants.
• Ensure version control of documents and filing of final reports and proposals, learning documents, and other relevant documentation using the shared data space in country and Concern’s Grants Management System.
• Assist the PD in liaising with finance and programme staff to ensure that all deliverables are completed within the grant period and that all budget revisions are carried out in line with donor regulations.
• Manage the reporting schedule ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Coordinate donor reports, ensuring they meet all internal and external standards, and are reviewed and submitted on time.
• Contribute to timely communication with donors on their reporting requests, for extension requests, modifications and challenges faced, including coordinating with other teams to provide both responsive and proactive donor communication.
• Contribute to the drafting and compilation of Concern’s internal annual programme report as well as reports mandated by the host government as per the dates agreed with Programme Director/Dublin.

Partnerships 20%

• Support the identification of potential new partners (e.g. international and national NGOs)
• Contribute to Due Diligence and/or Concern’s Integrated Local Partner Assessment Tool (CILPAT) process in case of new partnerships with local NGOs.
• Support the development of existing partnerships with local NGOs.
• Support the development and implementation of the capacity strengthening plans jointly with local partners and in collaboration with other units (e.g. logistics, finance, audit).
• Support with the negotiation and signature of agreements or MoUs with the host government and its agencies as needed; assist with compliance with host government regulations (e.g. reporting; authorisations; etc.).
• Represent Concern at relevant meetings, e.g. clusters.

Communications 10%

• Provide guidance and strengthen capacities of communications staff and other staff to collect and disseminate content.
• Review communication materials before they are approved by the CD (e.g. social media posts, articles, case studies).
• Oversee collection of content such as case studies, photos, all in line with Concern requirements on consent.
• Oversee the production of, and where necessary lead on writing clear, accurate and engaging internal and external communications documents, including success stories.
• Supervise the Communication intern.

Miscellaneous

• Adhere to and promote Concern’s Code of Conduct.
• Ensure programme design and implementation is in line with the Core Humanitarian Standards.
• Support any research initiatives planned.
• Deliver any other task requested based on the programme’s needs.
• All staff are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, including our workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and safeguarding values.
• All staff are required to participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s emergency response as and when required.

Role Holder Requirements:

Essential:

• A university degree in a social science discipline/human rights/humanitarian affairs or other relevant academic field
• Ability to work in a high pressured, results focused and dynamic environment
• Good organisational and planning skills/experience
• Strong computer skills particularly Microsoft office
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Fluency in both French and English, both oral and written
• Excellent writing skills in French and English
• Ability to work in a challenging and stressful environment with unexpected challenges.
• Willing to travel frequently
• Very high attention to detail
• Able to take initiative and work independently
• Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation including Concern’s Code of Conduct and associated safeguarding policies

Desirable:

• Relevant experience with an NGO, UN agency or donor
• Previous experience of donor reporting and/or proposal writing
• Previous experience working with local civil society
• Specific experience with the EU/ECHO, UN agencies, and/or Irish Aid would be an advantage
• Experience working in an insecure and volatile environment
• Confident strong communicator and networker