Grants & Partnership Manager

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. 

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC Syria

DRC has been actively operating in Syria since 2008 mainly supporting refugees. In June 2012, DRC was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expand its humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to IDPs and the vulnerable resident population countrywide. Since then, DRC activities have been focused on NFI distributions, Shelter, WASH, Protection, Education, Livelihoods and Mine Risk Education in six Governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs). While Protection/community service activities are provided to beneficiaries throughout our Community Centers.

About the job:

DRC Syria is seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual with substantial experience leading grants and partnership frameworks, systems, and processes, with the objective of strengthening our current and future programmes and strategic partnerships. The Grants and Partnership Manager (GPM) will oversee the full lifecycle of grants and partnership management. This includes effective grants administration, donor compliance, timely and quality reporting, and overall accountability to our partners, donors, and other stakeholders. Programme development and fundraising will be an essential component of the role, and under the management of the Head of Programme (HoP), the GPM will lead on the coordination and development of successful proposals – implemented directly by DRC and in partnership. Building on our global partnership principles and civil society engagement strategies, the GPM will work across DRC Syria’s departments to establish systems and approaches for identifying, pursuing, and maintaining effective, sustainable, and equitable partnerships with national NGOs, civil society, community-based organisations, Syrian diaspora, the private sector, research institutes, and local and national authorities. The GPM, in collaboration with the Partnership Coordinator, will map and identify new partnership opportunities, assess partner organisations’ capacities, facilitate relevant capacity strengthening support, and provide ongoing support to partner organisations throughout and after programme implementation. The position reports to the Head of Programme, directly manages Grants and Partnership staff, and closely collaborates with MEAL, Technical Programme, and Support Service teams.

Responsibilities:

Programme Development and Fundraising

• In coordination with the Country Director (CD) and HoP, support the development of DRC Syria’s fundraising strategy and efforts, including undertaking donor mappings, tracking donor engagement, developing and/or updating strategy, and preparing briefings.
• In collaboration with the HoP and partner organisations, coordinate all aspects of the proposal development process from bid identification, Go/No-Go analysis, proposal calendar, through to development and timely submission of high-quality proposals.
• Work closely with technical teams to ensure proposals reflect needs and response analyses, and are supported by an appropriate Theory of Change and Logical Framework.
• Contribute to the drafting, and lead on the review and quality assurance of proposal packages (narrative, budget, annexes) for consistency with the requirements of solicitations, requests, or calls for proposals. 
• Liaise with donor representatives and coordinate donor visits to programme sites, in support to the CD and the HoP.
• Perform other duties as directed by the HoP.

Partnership Development and Management

• Develop or update DRC Syria’s partnerships and localization strategy in line with our country Strategic Plan and DRC’s global strategy — and promote this vision for DRC Syria’s partnerships approach among staff and partners.
•  Participate in relevant country-level partnerships and localization working groups and advocate for the inclusion and support of national organizations    in these forums.
•  Work across programme and support departments to develop and/or adapt systems, policies, and SoPs that are supportive of the Partnership and Localization strategy; contextualize DRC’s global tools, and ensure their periodic review and update.
• In support to the Partnership Coordinator, establish and maintain a partnership database that maps out partner capacity, influence, and strategic alignment with DRC programming.
•   Drawing on DRC’s global policies and tools, develop and implement systematic approaches to identifying and engaging with prospective partners and support partnership selection processes.
• In support to the Partnership Coordinator, coordinate across teams to carry out partner organizational capacity assessments and analyse assessments to identify specific capacity strengthening and organizational development needs, and provide and/or coordinate training and targeted capacity strengthening support.
•   Define a standard framework of roles and responsibilities among various DRC departments and between area and country office for partnership communication, support, and engagement
• Support proposal development for funding opportunity components directly related to partnerships and localisation, and actively support identification of and liaison with new and existing donors, in close collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Analyse results of ongoing partnerships, ways of working, and results on the ground to produce lessons learnt and inform strategic decision-making
• Lead initiatives to improve partnership practices by periodically assessing DRC Syria’s partnership approach, considering both DRC and partners’ perspectives, capture lessons learned and best practices, and make recommendations for improvement.

Grant Management and Reporting

• Maintain and update DRC’s online system related to grants (SharePoint and Dynamics); and establish systems available to partner organisations to ensure full access to partnership-related documentation.
• In support to the Grants Management Specialist, develop and maintain an overview of all grants, partnerships, donor requirements, and rules and regulations to support implementing teams to ensure full compliance.
• Lead the Grants and Partnership teams to prepare and facilitate project kick-off, review, and close-out meetings to ensure compliance, support implementation monitoring, and highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Ensure learnings from partnerships are captured, consolidated, and disseminated, contributing to knowledge building to influence policies and programme planning.
• Support in the review and finalization of Grants Agreements with donors; and support the Partnerships Coordinator in the timely and quality development of Sub-Grant Agreements with partner organisations.
• Ensure partnership tools and financial standards meet donor requirements and allow for adaptation and flexibility, and advocate for these changes at country and donor levels.
• Support Grants and Partnerships teams in coordinating and managing reporting processes; provide inputs in relation to partnerships, localization, and other cross-cutting areas.
• Ensure a compliance process with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement, HR, and finance, in close coordination with the relevant support function partnerships focal point
• Manage official communications with donors such as delivery of reports, responding to requests for information, grant adjustments, proposal submissions, and operational advocacy approaches.
• Support external donor audits and donor monitoring visits.
• Provide regular updates on grant delivery, gaps, risks, and challenges to Senior Management Team.

Management and Internal Capacity Building

• Manage the Grants and Partnership team on a day-to-day basis by providing leadership support and guidance, on-the-job training, and coaching.
• Prepare work plans with clear objectives, achievement benchmarks, and long-term and short-term priorities. Assist the team in identifying professional development needs and opportunities.
• Provide continuous performance feedback to the team; identify performance issues and work with staff and HR to document and address issues in a timely manner.
• Conduct internal training to DRC staff on partnerships principles, and to improve understanding of partnerships approaches and enhance their relevant skills and capacities to successfully engage in partnerships programming.
• Develop the capacity and provide ongoing mentorship to key partnerships focal points among DRC’s national staff.

Experience:

• At least 5 years' of practical, field-based experience in proposal development and grants management in an INGO is essential; with a minimum  of 3 years in a Specialist/Coordinator-level role.
• At least 2 years’ experience in working with national partners on programming and capacity strengthening is essential.
• At least 3 years' experience in people management is highly preferred.
• Experience leading on the development of Theories of Change and Logical Frameworks.
• Experience in MEAL is desirable but not required. 
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment.
• Proven ability to manage stakeholders with strong communication, coordination, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability in thinking creatively and practically to improve the quality of projects.
• Analytical and critical thinking with the ability to work operationally without losing sight of the strategic goal.
• Ability to lead and work within a multi-cultural/diverse team.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and DRC values.

Education

Degree in relevant subject e.g. Social Sciences, International Development, or equivalent work experience.

Languages

• English – fluent
• Arabic – desirable

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:  

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.  
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.  
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.  
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

We offer:

Contract length:  12 months (Extension based on performance and funds)

Level: Management – F1

Location: Damascus – Syria

Expected Start date: ASAP

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the below link:

Grants & Partnership Manager - Application Form

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

Applications close on  02nd of July-2025

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to conduct tests and interviews before the closing date and can close the advertisement earlier in case of finding a suitable candidate.

Need further information?

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.org