Grants Manager

Overview

The (GCBC) is hiring for a new role – a Grants Manager to provide crucial support for our network of grantees who are developing research across the globe to support the development and uptake of effective solutions for conserving, managing, and using biodiversity to address the impacts of climate change. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to be at the forefront of new developments in biodiversity and conservation, has the passion to be fully engaged in driving initiatives to address the climate crises and who will thrive as part of a small team operating in a fast-paced and exciting environment. The successful candidate will have an understanding of grants management and will suit someone with enthusiasm and the organisational and project management skills to support grantees in meeting their technical, financial and monitoring and evaluation commitments to the project. The GCBC is implemented by DAI Global UK and has been operational since 2023 and will continue until 31/3/2028 with the possibility of extension.

About the Programme

The (GCBC) is a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) funded grants programme that will create an international research centresupporting the development and uptake of effective solutions for conserving, managing, and using biodiversity to address the impacts of climate change. Failure to address the climate and biodiversity crises will have dire consequences for our planet and ultimately its human population. People, especially those in marginalised communities in Development Assistance Committee (DAC) listed Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries, are already experiencing the impact of climate change on a frequent basis and this is forecast to worsen unless urgent and transformative action is taken.

The GCBC will help ensure future decision-making in this area is led by and grounded in robust scientific evidence and will focus on ensuring strategic, policy-relevant results, with a global network of knowledge exchange and learning.

The research delivered through the GCBC will:

·Improve resilience to climate impacts, support sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities, and reduce carbon emissions and biodiversity loss;

·Foster collaboration between experts and research disciplines to inform policy and unlock finance for biodiversity-based solutions to climate change and poverty;

·Be based on local need and incorporate strong engagement from Indigenous Peoples and local communities;

·Identify and disseminate policy-relevant good practice which can be scaled up and replicated;

·Deliver on the UK’s international climate and biodiversity commitments and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; and

·Meet ODA eligibility of primary purpose to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.

The first and second grant competitions were launched in 2023 and 2024 respectively with further competitions to be launched each year until the close of the programme. Grants range in value from £100,000 to £1m in the GCBC focus regions; sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, South-East Asia and the Pacific, and Small Island Developing States.

The Role

The GCBC Grant Manager will join an established grants team and will be primarily responsible for supporting a global portfolio of GCBC grantees to ensure the successful delivery of their research projects.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with a vibrant group of organisations across the globe, who are trying to solve problems at the nexus of biodiversity, climate change and livelihoods. We are looking for someone with Grant Manager or Programme Management experience as the primary skillset. An interest/experience in climate and international development will be an advantage but not a pre-requisite.

The specific responsibilities of the role are outlined below.

Roles & Responsibilities:

·Primary point of contact for GCBC grantees on a day-to-day basis.

·Oversee grantee monitoring, reporting and operational delivery. This is done monthly and quarterly through online meetings. Conducting regular meetings with the grantees. Building relationships and monitoring progress.

·Review quarterly financial reports submitted by each grantee, review expenditure and supporting documentation.

·Set up and manage communication and reporting between stakeholders.

·Supporting the Grants Director on key tasks relating to deliverables within the Grant Facility, including project and programme planning.

·Supporting in the design, development, and continual improvement of grant management processes, procedures and tools. Troubleshooting any issues that the Grantees face during implementation.

·Support applicant eligibility assessments following application submissions in new Research Grant Competitions.

·Contributing to the adaptation and development of the E-Platform for reporting purposes.

·Support in the delivery of various ad-hoc / grantee / stakeholder events / webinars.

·Utilising learning / feedback from Grantees for improvements to future Research Grant Competition, and into the Quarterly & Annual Learning Cycles (including programme reporting).

·Managing change request process (including financial & programmatic changes to the grant projects) for Grantees.

·Monitoring compliance of Grantees in accordance with the Grant Funding Agreement and operations in accordance with the Grant Management Guidelines.

·Support the development of surveys / feedback loops with Grantees for programmatic improvements.

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications

·A University degree and some relevant experience in international development or the social sciences. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

·Extensive, proven, work experience working in project implementation roles in International Development, related NGOs or government departments.

·Ability to review and analyse both narrative and (basic) financial reports with excellent MS Word and Excel skills.

·Experience of writing reports and ability to contribute to client reporting.

·Experience with Logframes, Monitoring and Evaluation, data collection.

·Project planning and implementation experience.

·Prioritises and organises workloads effectively to avoid bottlenecks

Desirable skills Experience and Qualifications

·Awareness or experience of biodiversity and climate change

·Master’s degree in related subject areas

·Experience working on HMG programmes

·Portfolio management experience

Input Basis and Schedule of Work

LoE: Full time fixed term contract

Start Date: ASAP End Date: 31/3/2028 with the possibility of extension until 2033.

Location: Working from Home with occasional travel to London. The successful applicant will have the right to work in the UK.

Supervision: Reports to GCBC Team Leader/Grants Director

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in their preferred location within the UK without the need for sponsorship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

You will be pleased to know that we strive to uphold the highest ethical standards and that we are working with our clients to reduce the opportunity for people who are known to have breached ethical standards to work in our field. Any staff and/or consultant contract with DAI, therefore, will be subject to satisfactory reference checking and vetting.