Institutional Funding Officer, Horn & East Africa: Trócaire Jobs

Institutional Funding Officer, Horn & East Africa – 10/ID/011E
Description of the unit / department: The Horn & East Africa region (HEARO) is one of five regions where Trócaire works overseas, with its regional office based in Nairobi, Kenya
Reporting to: Assistant Regional Manager, Horn & East Africa Managing: (Individuals/Team) None
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration: 2 Years
Grade and Scale: Overseas Programme Officer Scale Location of Position: Based in Nairobi, Kenya, with regular travel in the Region. Closing date: 20 May 2010
 Scope of the Role:
  • To increase and broaden the institutional funding base of programmes by developing a co-financing strategy supportive of the Regional Strategic Plan.
  • To assist in proposal development and finalise reports for donors, in agreement with relevant Programme Officers and Regional Management.
  • To support the capacity of Programme Staff and partners to develop and manage co-financing contracts.
  • To establish and strengthen relationships with current and potential donors.
  • To develop and maintain a full understanding of all donor strategies, priorities and requirements.
Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Develops Regional / Country Funding Strategies
  • Collates information on donor priorities and strategies for programme countries, identifying thematic and geographic areas of overlap with Trócaire priorities.
  • Develops Regional/Country Funding Strategy Papers and annual action plans for countries of responsibility.
  • Works closely with the Co-Financing Unit in Ireland, in order to coordinate contacts with / applications to donors.
2. Programme Support
Based on the Regional Strategic Framework, in close collaboration with HEARO colleagues and identified local partners, as approved by the Regional Manager:
  • Support programme staff in the elaboration of co-financing submissions and in the management of donor contracts and support partners to meet the contractual obligations of co-financed programmes and projects.
  • Provide training to staff and partners on co-financing programme development, management and report writing skills.
  • Work closely with programme teams to build the capacities of partners to handle conditionality and compliance issues related to co-financed contracts, especially in narrative and financial reporting
  • Support programme teams in identifying direct funding opportunities for suitable partners and in promoting development of partner capacity to manage donor contracts themselves.
  • Assist with narrative and financial reporting on co-financed programmes and projects, and in developing financial management and reporting systems which will facilitate effective multi-partner and multi-component programme budget tracking and management.
  • Pro-actively identify opportunities for securing co-financing from governments, major donors and trusts accessible to Trócaire.
  • Establish and build relationships with potential donors.
  • Strengthen relationships with current donors.
  • Liaise with donors and negotiates contracts.
  • Provide assistance to and collaborate with Trócaire’s Co-Financing Unit in Ireland, where appropriate and as requested.
3. Other Duties
  • Any other duty as may be assigned by Regional Management that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility.
Person Specification – Essential Requirements (E)
(E) Qualification
  • Third level qualification in: Social Science, Development Studies, or related area
(E) Experience
  • Two years experience of proposal and report writing for donors such as the EC, Irish Aid, DFID, EU, Trusts and Foundations.
  • Proven success of securing funds from official donors.
  • Planning, monitoring and reporting on development and/or emergency programmes.
  • Experience of working with partner organisations.
  • Two years overseas experience, preferably in the Region.
(E) Skills
  • Excellent written skills, including proposals & reports.
  • Excellent skills for budgeting and financial analysis.
  • Project planning, monitoring and evaluation techniques, especially Logical Frameworks.
  • Good verbal and written communication, presentation and facilitation skills.
  • Good analytical and negotiation skills.
  • Good IT skills, especially word processing & spreadsheets.
  • Strong administrative skills.
  • Fluent in English (spoken & written).
(E) Qualities
  • Commitment to Trócaire’s Vision, Mission and Values and an understanding of a partnership approach to development.
  • Sympathetic understanding of the Catholic Church’s role in relief and development.
  • Excellent networking skills with the ability to establish good relationships, confident in engaging with senior people.
  • Culturally sensitive and diplomatic.
  • Self motivated with proven ability to take the initiative.
  • Able to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.
  • Flexible and adaptable.
  • Accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Strong Team Player by supporting team members and participating actively in formal and informal fora.
  • Able to learn from experience and apply to future work.
  • Able and prepared to travel extensively within the HEARO Region
(E) Knowledge
  • Good knowledge of institutional donors, particularly the EU, Irish Aid and DFID.
  • Good understanding of international development issues.
  • Financial controls and procedures.
  • Project Cycle Management.
How to apply
Please download application form from http://www.trocaire.org and return completed form to Jason Rice, HR Officer at hr@trocaire.ie