Grants / Partnerships Lead

Recruitment for this position will proceed on a rolling basis

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC has been working in Pakistan for approximately 45 years, leading and delivering large, sophisticated programs to meet the needs in health, education, safeguarding, environmental health and livelihoods for displaced, poor and disaster affected communities. IRC works closely with national and local government institutions, NGOs, and civil society organizations.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Grants and Partnerships Lead will provide strategic leadership to IRC Pakistan's business development, grants management, and partnership portfolios. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Programs (DDP), this role is responsible for leading program design, overseeing donor relations and compliance, and developing strong partnerships to support high-quality programming and funding diversification. The position also ensures the effective oversight of sub-awards, capacity building of partners, and compliance with IRC and donor policies.

Major Responsibilities:

1.       Strategic Leadership

·         Lead the development and periodic revision of the IRC Pakistan Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Strategy.

·         Collaborate with Provincial Heads, Technical Coordinators, MEAL, and program implementation teams to ensure alignment between strategy, funding opportunities, and programming.

·         Contribute to country-level strategic planning processes, ensuring integration of business development and partnerships.

2.      Business Development and Fundraising

• Ensures proposal processes are well managed, that funding diversification goals are met, and that funding efforts are aligned with the country program strategic priorities.
• Leads growth and diversification of funding based on the country program strategy by developing and reviewing concept papers and proposals for various projects and programs in order to achieve the CP short-term and long-term goals.
• Ensure that technical staff provide input into proposals and proactively and regularly communicate planned requirements for program design and implementation to relevant Country Office departments/functions.
• Working closely with the Technical Unit, provide leadership in the development of new program designs and proposals which fit within IRC Pakistan’s strategic objectives.
• Liaise with other humanitarian/development actors to identify possible areas for collaboration and develop joint initiatives/proposals.
• Actively collaborate with the team at Country, Region and HQ working on private sector engagement to foster strategic partnerships and generate funding/support.

·         Serve as the primary focal point for IRC HQ and regional offices on new funding opportunities and strategic positioning.

• Ensure proactive engagement with a diversified donor base, including institutional donors, foundations, and private sector partners.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with donors, implementing partners, and consortium leads.

3. Awards Management and Donor Compliance

·         Lead post-award processes including contract reviews, amendments, and donor negotiations.

·         Lead and ensure timely and high-quality narrative and financial reporting in collaboration with finance, programs, and operations.

·         Oversee donor compliance by maintaining updated checklists and disseminating guidance to relevant teams.

• Maintain effective coordination with Award Management Unit in IRC HQs and Region for any day-to-day requirements including periodical realignments of the budgets, managing cost/no-cost extensions, etc.

• Provide guidance to program and operations teams on issues related to grants and commercial contracts and compliance as required.
• Ensure that contracts, addendums and agreements are reviewed with program, finance, supply chain, partnership and communication department and collate feedback.
• Take lead on timely flagging any additional conditions laid down by the donor or fund manager and proactively negotiate with donors in the best interest of the organization.

4. Partnerships Leadership

• Lead the operationalization of the IRC Pakistan Partnership Strategy and ensure it is consistently applied across programs.
• Coordinate partner selection processes, including due diligence and vetting, in collaboration with technical and operational teams.
• Facilitate and coordinate with IRC program teams to support and monitor partners’ project implementation, ensuring compliance, quality delivery, and timely reporting.
• Lead the design and implementation of tailored capacity-strengthening initiatives for local partners.
• Foster strong and strategic partnerships with local and international NGOs, civil society actors, government institutions, and the private sector.

5. Representation and External Engagement

• Represent IRC in donor meetings, proposal development discussions, and coordination platforms.
• Serve as the primary liaison for all matters related to grants, proposals, partnerships, and donor compliance.
• Promote the IRC’s reputation as a partner of choice and a leader in evidence-based humanitarian programming.

6. Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Manage and mentor the Grants and Partnerships team, including program development, compliance, and reporting staff.
• Promote continuous professional development and learning within the team.
• Foster collaboration between grants, technical, finance, supply chain, and HR units for smooth grant and partnership operations.

Job Requirements:

Education:

·         Master’s degree in business administration, Finance, Economics or in relevant field required.

·         Strong understanding of Pakistani context.

• Sound understanding of current policy regime for NGOs in Pakistan

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Proven experience in leading business development units in an international NGO
• Experience working in teams to design, implement and monitor complex donor funded programs.
•   Experience of working with USAID, FCDO, ECHO, UN, DFAT, EU, BHA and other institutional donors on compliance matters
• Deep understanding of contracts/agreement, contract/agreement governance, contractual language and the contract lifecycle
• Excellent understanding of the donors, stakeholders, and fund managers

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Critical thinking skills and the ability to research and understand legal and financial implications.
• Superior writing and language skills.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Exceptional attention to detail, and talent for accuracy and precision
• Creative, innovative and out of box thinking
• Excellent collaborative and team working approach.
• Advanced knowledge of software (Microsoft Windows, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint),
• Excellent analytical skills and Ability to operate with competing deadlines

Language Skills:

Strong English language skills both written and oral; knowledge of local languages would be an asset.

The IRC Core Values and Commitments;

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.
• IRC is committed to ensuring that IRC staff is suitable to work with children and have the knowledge s/he needs to uphold and abide by the IRC’s Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Level of interaction with children: Frequent direct contact with children
• IRC ensures that its staff must actively practice the roles and responsibilities related to client responsiveness, accountability to people in affected communities and must have competencies to solicits and listens to feedback and other’s perspectives, responds to feedback with maturity and sensitivity and takes appropriate decisions and makes changes to behavior or actions in response to feedback.

IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to the promotion of gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures and actions demonstrate this commitment.

Women candidates and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are highly encourages to apply.