Partnerships and Grants Manager

Job Details

DRC Uganda is seeking a Partnerships and Grants Manager to provide senior leadership and oversight across the full grants and partnerships portfolio of a Sudan crisis localization Fund. Based in Kampala, the role is responsible for strategic direction of the grants management function, ensuring robust compliance and quality across the grants lifecycle, and managing Partnership and Grants Specialists and Officer(s). The role operationalizes the Fund's locally led approach, providing guidance to partners and maintaining accountability to donors. Contract length 1 year, Band M F2, Start date October 2026. Full Time.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and manage grant application processes, including guidelines, templates, and evaluation criteria.
• Lead due diligence and vetting process for partner organisations, ensuring compliance with donor and Fund standards.
• Prepare and administer grant agreements and amendments in coordination with Fund Management Unit at Headquarters (HQ).
• Design and oversee capacity-building support to partners on grants management, compliance, and reporting, in coordination with Technical Assistance Facility (TAF).
• Line manage, mentor and build capacity of Partnerships & Grants Officer(s), providing clear direction and performance oversight.
• Oversee development and roll-out of Fund Grant management System (GMS), ensuring it meets needs of Fund and local partners.
• Coordinate with Operations Manager in streamlining operational processes including timely funds disbursements, financial tracking and risk management.
• Ensure partners comply with grant conditions, Fund Operations Manual, and donor requirements.
• Update and maintain Fund risk register and dashboard, addressing high-risk areas.
• Track funding disbursements against budgets, flag variances and ensure timely escalation of risks to Fund Director.
• Monitor grant implementation, ensuring timely and quality submission of financial and narrative reports.
• Oversee design of capacity building strategies for partner organisations including procurement, risk management and organizational development, in coordination with TAF.
• Support design of training/guidance on grant report writing, donor compliance, and operational procedures.
• Ensure all grant-related documents are uploaded and backed up in GMS or other systems and stored securely; maintain detailed records of grants, applications, reports, and feedback letters.
• Oversee coordination of review meetings with partners and follow up on action points.
• Support Fund Director in liaising with donor representatives and coordinate with internal Technical, MEAL, and Operations stakeholders; represent Fund with other local intermediary actors in Sudan.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in International Development, Business Administration, Political Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in partnerships & grants within NGO/INGO or donor sectors, including at least 3 years in a management position.
• Proven expertise working with institutional donors (e.g., FCDO, EU, ECHO, SIDA, NORAD) and strong understanding of donor regulations and compliance.
• Ability to prioritize workloads, meet deadlines, and adapt to complex environments; demonstrated experience in people management.
• Experience working in or on Sudan, with strong understanding of Sudan humanitarian and civil society context.
• Proven commitment to locally led approaches and experience working with or supporting local and grassroots organizations.
• Experience working with Dynamics, SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP systems; familiarity with Power Apps or internal grants systems development.
• Previous experience in partnership management or capacity building; experience with Group Cash Transfer mechanisms or cash-based programming.
• Desirable: Knowledge of Arabic, certifications in grants or partnership management.
• Demonstrated DRC core competencies: Striving for excellence, Collaborating, Taking the lead, Communicating, Demonstrating integrity.