ROLE OVERVIEW

The interim Senior Manager, Grants Management role is temp to perm (optional) and is responsible for grants management at Comic Relief US (CRUS). This position is essential for delivering a strategic and effective grants program that enables CRUS to achieve its vision of a just world free from poverty. The interim Senior Manager develops and implements appropriate systems to facilitate efficient and respectful grantmaking, maximize learning as an organization, and support communication needs of the organization. They support grantee partners in developing and submitting concept notes, applications and reports. They also help manage the team of external Assessors in conducting their assessments and report reviews and ensure that the Grants Team remains on track to complete each round of grantmaking on the stated timeline. They will partner closely with the Grant Programs Associate in the facilitation of the grants lifecycle management. This position reports to the VP of Grant Programs and has a dotted line relationship with the Director of Grant Programs. The interim Senior Manager will also oversee the grants management work of the Grant Programs Associate. This role partners closely with a team of five external grant assessors to facilitate the assessment and MEL process. 


PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

GRANTS MANAGEMENT (60%)

  • Serve as a primary point of contact for Grantee Partners on all grants management related interactions. 

  • Develop and maintain an efficient and effective grants management system (Foundant GLM); develop and maintain grants processes and forms.  

  • Develop and maintain a grant lifecycle calendar (on Asana) to ensure timely completion of grant applications, reports, and payments; develop and maintain the timelines for two distinct grantmaking rounds and bespoke processes as needed.

  • In partnership with the VP of Grant Programs, develop, maintain and update a financial model and docket for all grants programs.

  • Assist grantees with the preparation of grant proposals, grant reports and supporting documentation; ensure all required documentation submitted is in compliance with grantee letters of agreement as well as internal requirements.

  • Oversee the Grants Project Associate, to ensure timely payments to grantees, assigning of assessments and reports to Assessors, and updates to contacts with grantees.

  • On a monthly basis, reconcile grant payments with the finance team and ensure compliance with all financial and auditing requirements. 

  • Manage application assessment and report review process with Grants Team and Assessors.

  • In partnership with the Grants Project Associate, produce analytical summaries and other relevant written documents with regard to grants programs, spending, and impact as needed.  


GRANTS MANAGEMENT OVERHAUL (30%)

  • Play a leading role in overhauling our grants management systems, processes, forms, and guidelines in alignment with a Trust Based Philanthropy approach to grantmaking (to be completed by the end of 2022). 

  • Key components of the grants management overhaul that the interim Senior Manager will be responsible for may include:

    • Revising our grantmaking guidelines to present to the Grants Committee

    • Revising and simplifying our application, assessment, and report forms for restricted and unrestricted grants.

    • Partnering with an MEL consultant to reshape our impact measurement framework. 


GRANTS TEAM/ASSESSOR TEAM/GRANTS COMMITTEE/BOARD (10%)

  • Partner with VP of Grant Programs and Director of Grant Programs in developing and implementing the Grants Team’s annual work plan and calendar.

  • Support the VP of Grant Programs in facilitating the work of the Independent Assessor Team, including updating the Assessor resource guide, workflow management, and troubleshooting.

  • Develop and organize agendas and documents for review by the Grants Committee and Board of Directors 


DELIVERABLES FOR INTERIM ROLE OVER THE NEXT 2-4 MONTHS

  • Facilitate the Round 2 grant cycle including managing and maintaining the timeline, supporting the Assessors with assessments, supporting the grant applicants with their applications, and ensuring the team stays on track.

  • Produce and edit portfolio summary documents and presentations for the Grants Committee, organization, and external stakeholders.

  • Mentor and provide oversight for the Grant Programs Associate on grants management practices (payments, reporting, application reviews, grant agreements, grant applicant instructions, etc.)

  • Serve as an administrator on Foundant GLM and troubleshoot as needed

  • Support the grants management overhaul project by producing a new set of application and assessment forms and revising and updating the grantmaking guidelines


These responsibilities, as outlined, are not meant to imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the Grants Programs Manager. They are expected to perform other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.


EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

  • Must have 7-10 years of grants management experience with a grantmaking institution or as a consultant

  • Must be familiar with Foundant GLM and be able to serve as an administrator on the system

  • Excellent organizational and project management skills

  • Excellent written and verbal presentation skills

  • Familiarity with Asana and Slack is preferred

  • Experience using Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides/Presentations) is required

  • Excel skills such as using formulas, pivot tables, making charts, etc. are highly desired


Comic Relief US values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of individuals of underrepresented backgrounds including race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.



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