Job Overview/Summary

The Business Analyst role sits within the Planning and Strategic Operations team and will work to support the quality and usage of award management (grants and contracts) related data at the IRC. They will support this work by improving the business processes, information management, technology, and training related to awards management systems and date.

Major Responsibilities

Business processes and analysis

• Facilitate the development of new business process to standardize awards management practices. Work to redefine or establish processes to improve data quality and usage.
• Produce analyses based on strategic requests or to support key business processes, including the reporting of progress against IRC’s strategic plan (“Strategy 100”) targets.
• Serve as a troubleshooter and problem solver for ambiguous Award Management System related data issues.

IRC’s Award Management System (OTIS) and other key technology / system improvements

• Work with key stakeholders inside AMU and other relevant departments such as Information Technology, RAI and CRRD (IRC’s US, Europe, and international programs departments etc.) to identify and implement changes to OTIS, IRC’s custom awards management system, and other relevant systems. This includes resolving issues raised by OTIS users by supporting design and rollout of changes to OTIS functionality.
• Support the rollout of PowerBi dashboards or other interim solutions to improve data reporting.

Information management and training

• Facilitate the development of a new information management protocol, to develop central repositories for processes and tools that support awards management.
• Keep up to date of parallel tools being used for awards management at IRC.

Rollout of improvements / training

• Work with AMU’s training team to support rollout of changes to IRC’s awards management systems.
• Work with AMU’s training team to develop training and learning materials related to Award Management Systems.
• Work with leaders inside AMU and across the organization to improve the uptake and knowledge of award management tools and systems, including OTIS

Position Reports to: Deputy Director, Awards Management Systems

Work / Educational Experience

• At least 3 years work experience in a data analysis or awards management related role

Demonstrated Skills And Competencies

• High quality Excel skills; experience with data cleaning an advantage
• Ability to problem solve and focus on solutions
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Highly collaborative and proven ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Working knowledge and/or experience in awards management – such as grants management, proposal development, or government donor compliance
• Familiarity with data management systems an advantage
• Intermediate SQL ability
• Experience in a humanitarian or development organization, or demonstrated interest for development / humanitarian issues
• Knowledge of French, Arabic, or Spanish a plus

The Role:

The Grants and Finance Officer will maintain quality grants management for a portfolio of grants within IRC’s Technical Excellence Department. Reporting to the Grants & Finance Coordinator, Grant Operations and Analytics Team, this position will work closely with in-country and HQ grants staff, finance and business development to ensure timely and accurate grant reporting, maintenance of grant records, and leadership of the proposal process for new grants. The Grants and Finance Officer will also be responsible for tracking grant spending, developing spending plans, and managing internal disbursement of grant funding to country programs. The Grants and Finance Officer will also provide support to the Senior Adviser, Grant Operations as GOAT seeks to continuously improve ways of working. This position has limited field travel and logistical support for special projects. 

Major Responsibilities:

Grants and Budget Management (estimated 75% of time):

• Develop and maintain an expertise in the management of private and government funded global awards that are highly complex multi-country, multi sub-award grants and contracts
• Develop and maintain a high-level understanding of Technical Excellence funding streams, spending patterns and salary coverage to align grant funding with Unit Operating Budgets. Alert the Senior Grants & Finance Coordinator when there are issues.
• Track and monitor salary lines in Technical Unit led grant budgets and Country Program allocations and accurately recode in the appropriate IRC systems when necessary
• Review monthly BvAs and transaction detail reports, lead monthly budget meetings and ensure that all BvAs and financial reports accurately reflect the current and planned spending
• Make any necessary spending plan adjustments for Technical Excellence led grants
• Review and process sub-grants/allocations to partners and country programs for grant activities
• Manage and coordinate the approval of agreements, amendments, cost extensions and no-cost extensions for grants
• Lead, attend and actively participate in all grant related meetings within Technical Excellence
• Utilize existing IRC standard grant management processes and systems (PEERS, OTIS, Project Cycle Meetings) and contribute to the development of new tools or reporting formats to improve grants management
• Work with other Grants staff to streamline and harmonize grants management processes
• Manage OTIS (Opportunity Tracking Information System) workflow for proposals, ongoing grants, reporting, agreements and amendments
• Work with relevant Technical Unit and HQ-based finance staff to ensure accuracy of grant financial reports and promptly identify and advise the Senior Grants & Finance Coordinator, TU Director, and applicable grant leads on areas of concern
• Develop guidance, templates, and toolkits to ensure timely submission of narrative and financial donor reports
• Produce interim and final financial reports as required for non-USG grants
• Assist in donor relations; participate in calls with select donors, represent Unit at donor meetings as the need arises; and communicate relevant priorities to donors and internal business development and foundation relations units.

Business Development (estimated 20% of time):

• Support the Senior Business Development Adviser in tracking the pipeline of business development opportunities across Technical Excellence
• Complete strategic evaluations and make recommendations for all potential TU-led grants and facilitate review and approval as part of the Go/No go process
• Support Unit technical staff in the development of proposals for new opportunities, including reviewing and contributing to concept notes and full proposals, crafting budgets in accordance with donor guidelines and program needs and ensuring IRC compliance
• Strategic projects support (estimated 5% of time):
• Support the Senior Adviser, Grant Operations in engaging in strategic projects for GOAT such as, but not limited to, the creation of a standardized Grant Operations Guide, Onboarding Manual, and Grants staff training packages.
• Serve as a focal point and staff representative for Grants Managers on process improvements, gathering information through regular meetings on ongoing issues related to TechEx grants management processes.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  Grants & Finance Coordinator, Grant Operations and Analytics Team
• Position directly supervises:  N/A
• Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: 

• Regular contact with Technical Units, Finance teams, Global Supply Chain team and the Awards Management Unit
• Collaborate closely with country program staff.
• External:  Interact with donors, vendors, contractors, and consultants.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field is or equivalent experience.

Work Experience:

• Approximately 3 years of experience managing government and/or private grants
• Demonstrated experience developing proposals for public and private donors

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent budget management skills including experience tracking expenses and developing spending plans
• Dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion and a strong passion for our mission
• Excellent organizational skills: the ability to multi-task, learn quickly, and work independently and productively in a fast-paced and exact environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to effectively collaborate with and motivate a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment
• Excellent digital literacy: MS Word, Excel, and Desktop Publishing. Proficiency in Excel preferred.