· Project Identification and Evaluation
o Identify and assess project concepts and proposals with assigned partners, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy, feasibility, risk, safeguarding considerations and expected impact.
o Contribute to emergency or rapid-response programming when required, including providing surge support to colleagues and helping to coordinate time-critical actions.
o Support partner mapping and relationship management activities, helping to identify potential partners and project opportunities.
o Undertake contextual and partner due diligence research to inform project design, risk management and decision-making.
o Prepare high-quality proposals for internal review and project governance processes, including summaries of recommendations, risks and mitigation actions with the support of the Quality Team and in line with standards set by them.
· Grant Administration
o Support Programme Managers and the Regional Director through the full project cycle, from initial scoping and proposal development through contracting, implementation support, monitoring, evaluation and closure.
o Manage any individually assigned projects through the full project cycle, from initial scoping and proposal development through contracting, implementation support, monitoring, evaluation and closure.
o Ensure projects comply with organisational policies and procedures (including safeguarding and due diligence), and any relevant donor, statutory and partner requirements.
o Ensure the fulfilment of any actions mandated by the Programmes Subcommittee.
o Track delivery against agreed plans, budgets and results frameworks; flag variances, support problem-solving with partners and colleagues, and recommend adjustments where needed.
o Work with the Quality Team (Director and Quality Assurance and Impact (MEAL) Specialists) to agree proportionate MEAL plans for assigned projects (e.g., indicators, data sources, reporting schedules), and to strengthen quality assurance throughout implementation.
· Stakeholder Engagement
o Act as a key point of contact for assigned partners, working closely with Programme Managers and the wider regional team to coordinate support and decision-making.
o Maintain regular communication with partners to provide guidance throughout proposal development and implementation, including on reporting requirements, procurement expectations and agreed outputs/outcomes.
o Coordinate with the Quality Team (Director and Quality Assurance and Impact (MEAL) Specialists) to support partner capacity strengthening on quality assurance and MEAL requirements, and to address quality or evidence gaps identified during implementation.
o Develop familiarity with other organisations working in the Region and look for opportunities to collaborate with and learn from them.
· Budget Administration
o Support sound financial management across the Regional Team and for assigned projects, including budget review, payment scheduling, verification of supporting documentation and reconciliation of expenditure against budgets.
o For approved projects, ensure that all finance processes are completed to facilitate payments.
o Prepare clear updates and financial summaries for Programme Managers, the Regional Director and other internal stakeholders, maintaining an appropriate audit trail.
· Reporting and Documentation
o Maintain complete and accurate project documentation for assigned projects, including due diligence records, agreements, correspondence, partner reports and closure documents.
o Maintain project and partner information in relevant systems and trackers, producing reports and analysis as required.
o Monitor progress and results, review partner narrative and financial reports, support evaluations where appropriate, and ensure project learning is captured and shared within the team.
o Work with the Quality Team (Director and Quality Assurance and Impact (MEAL) Specialists) to review project evidence, ensure data quality standards are met, and support evaluations, reviews and learning products as required.
o Coordinate meetings and follow-up actions (including agendas, minutes and action logs) to ensure decisions are recorded and progressed.
Other duties
The above is not an exhaustive list of duties. From time to time, the postholder may be asked or required to carry out additional tasks, or duties, over and above their usual day to day activities. Employees are expected to work collaboratively across the regional team, including providing flexible support and surge cover as needed.