Grants and partnerships lead

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job 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 Programs (DDP), this role leads program design, oversees donor relations and compliance, and develops strong partnerships to support high-quality programming and funding diversification. The position also ensures effective oversight of sub-awards, partner capacity building, and compliance with IRC and donor policies.

Key working relationships:

Position reports to: Deputy Director Programs (DDP)
Position directly supervises: Grants, Partnerships and Reporting team
Indirect/technical reporting: Regional Grants and Partnerships Advisor
Key internal contacts: Country Director, Senior Management Team, Provincial Heads, Technical Coordinators, MEAL, Finance, Supply Chain, HR, and the Regional and HQ Award Management Units
Key external contacts: Institutional donors, fund managers, consortium leads, local and international partners, government counterparts, and private sector actors.

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
   • Ensure proposal processes are well managed, funding diversification goals are met, and funding efforts align with the country program strategic priorities.
   • Lead growth and diversification of funding in line with the country program strategy, developing and reviewing concept notes and proposals that advance IRC Pakistan’s short- 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.
   • Maintain a live opportunity tracker and funding pipeline, reporting quarterly on pipeline value, win rates and donor concentration to the Senior Management Team and the regional team.
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 the Award Management Unit in IRC HQs and the 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, addenda and agreements are reviewed with program, finance, supply chain, partnership and communication departments and collate feedback.
   • Take the lead on timely flagging of 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 IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) is consistently applied across all 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 country program’s primary external liaison with donors and fund managers on grants, proposals, partnerships, and compliance matters.
   • 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.
   • Ensure safeguarding, PSEA and gender-equality requirements are reflected in proposal design, partner agreements and sub-award monitoring, in line with IRC and donor standards.

Job Requirements:

Education:

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, International Relations, Economics, Finance or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a postgraduate degree.

Work experience:

Minimum of eight (8) years’ progressive experience in business development, awards management or partnerships, including at least three (3) years managing a team.
Proven experience in leading business development units in an international NGO.
Strong understanding of the Pakistan operating context and the current regulatory and policy regime for NGOs and INGOs.
Experience working in teams designing, implementing and monitoring 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 and agreements, contract governance, contractual language and the contract lifecycle.
Excellent understanding of 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 a talent for accuracy and precision.
• Creative, innovative and out-of-the-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 are suitable to work with children and have the knowledge they need 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 solicit and listen to feedback and others’ perspectives, respond to feedback with maturity and sensitivity and take appropriate decisions and make changes to behavior or actions in response to feedback. IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to achieving our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to promoting gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures and actions demonstrate this commitment.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

IRC is an equal opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Women candidates and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are strongly encouraged to apply. Shortlisting and interviews will be conducted on rolling basis.

Professional Standards:

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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