Country Grants Officer

The position is part of the Country Leadership Team of JRS Lebanon, which also includes the Country Director, Country Head of Programmes, Country Head of Finance and Country Head of HR. In general terms, the Country Leadership Team has executive management responsibility over JRS Lebanon and ensures the local implementation of JRS strategic goals. At the same time, the position is part of and will collaborate with JRS’s global grants team, which is led by the IO’s Head of Grants. The position reports to the Country Director of JRS Lebanon with a dotted reporting line to the Head of Grants at the IO, who may assign specific tasks to the Country Grants Officer, following consultation with the Country Director, and provide input on the Performance Evaluation of the postholder.

Main Responsibilities of the Position:

This position is responsible for resource mobilisation, grant management and grant compliance at country level under the supervision of the Country Director and in collaboration with colleagues in the Country Office, Regional Office (RO), and global JRS. This includes the development of a resource mobilisation strategy and its implementation through competitive funding proposals, outstanding donor stewardship, and strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Engagement with Project Managers is to be coordinated with the Country Head of Programmes. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1. Country Resource Mobilisation Strategy

• Develop a multi-year resource mobilisation strategy for JRS Lebanon.
• Lead the implementation of the JRS Lebanon resource mobilisation strategy and the achievement of annual funding targets.
• Monitor donor trends and relevant grant-making rules and regulations in Lebanon, in coordination with the RO, IO and JRS/USA for relevant donors.
• Seek and maximise funding opportunities from a variety of sources and expand the donor portfolio in Lebanon in collaboration with the RO, IO and JRS/USA.
• Develop a mechanism to regularly review funding needs and priorities with relevant Country Office colleagues and ensure alignment of the resource mobilisation strategy.

2. Resource Acquisition and Donor Stewardship

• In close collaboration with relevant colleagues in the Country Office, lead the process of preparing and submitting funding proposals from concept through to award, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and priorities, as well as sign off by the Country Director prior to submission.
• With oversight from the Country Director, and in coordination with colleagues in the Country Office, collaborate with the RO, the IO and JRS/USA Office Staff for applications, reports and grant compliance for donors channelled via the RO, IO and/or JRS/USA.
• Support the Country Head of Programmes with the development of JRS Lebanon programmes and project plans, by providing context on the donor funding environment, donor requirements and specific opportunities in the funding pipeline.
• Together with the Country Director, ensure strong stewardship of donors, in coordination with other JRS offices in case of joint donors.
• Represent JRS Lebanon in meetings with donors, consortia, and partners regarding resource mobilisation and partnership opportunities.
• In coordination with the Country Head of Programmes and Country Communications Officer, gather content for donor stewardship.

3. Grants Management

• Manage the JRS Lebanon grants portfolio.
• Coordinate with colleagues in the Country Office to ensure compliance with grant commitments and applicable donor rules and regulations.
• Coordinate with Country Programmes and Finance colleagues for the development of accurate grant reports and ensure their timely submission according to the donor’s requirements.

4. Capacity Building

• Lead capacity building of country and project staff in proposal development and donor compliance, in coordination with the relevant colleagues in the Country Office.
• Contribute to the global JRS Grants Community of Practice.

 Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes:

• Advanced university degree in Management, Political Sciences, Law, International Development or another relevant discipline.
• At least five (5) years of relevant work experience with humanitarian/development donor-funded programmes.
• Strong experience with grant acquisition, donor stewardship, and grant management.
• Familiarity with templates and procedures used by grant-makers.
• Familiarity with the Lebanese context and the Lebanon Response Plan framework is an asset.
• Experience with financial reporting.
• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Ability to work with CRM, grants and programmes systems.
• Excellent communication and presentation capacities, able to persuasively articulate JRS’s message and impact to external audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural, international environment.
• The position may require frequent travel to JRS locations in Lebanon and possible occasional international travel.
• Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Core Values and Ethics:

• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision, and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity;
• Trustworthy and good listener;
• High sense of discretion in dealing with confidential matters at all times;
• High integrity and honesty; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information;
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as core values.