WaterAid transforms lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities. We are looking for an exceptional Funding Manager to help us achieve our vision of a world where everyone has these basics.
WaterAid is a global federated organisation with a mission to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities. We work with partners and influence decision-makers to maximise our impact. We believe in a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.
The federation is made up of members: UK, America, Australia, Sweden, Canada and Japan; and 27 country programme offices. 23 of these country programmes are managed by WaterAid UK four regional teams.
Over the past few years we have significantly grown restricted income from all sources (government donors, trusts, foundations and corporate) across all members and at country level, and we have plans to continue this growth.
To support this growth we are looking to improve our management and coordination of restricted funding across the federation, so that we maximise opportunities and proactively manage risk. This role is key to us achieving this.
Job purpose
To provide leadership in the development and stewardship of exceptional funder relationships, raising and managing restricted funds and promoting positive engagement with funders that surpasses their expectations. In doing so support the Head of Region and Country Representatives in ensuring that:
1. Country Programmes within region are fully funded
2. That they achieve the targeted proportion of restricted funding of their programmes
3. That funding is in line with our Global Standards
4. That funding decisions are made with appropriate balance of opportunity and risk
5. That local and global strategic considerations are taken into account
6. That we deliver to agreed funder expectations and contractual requirements
The successful candidate will:
Maintain a complete regional view of all restricted funding, funding gaps and pipeline opportunities.Proactively work with different fundraising teams and country programmes to match potential funding opportunities to funding gaps so that country plans are fully funded.Support country programmes in raising and managing restricted funds and promoting positive engagements with funders.Support country programmes to develop timely high quality proposals and reports.Monitor the meeting of funding Obligations and escalate emerging and realised risks to Head of Region.Support Country Programmes to identify any capacity gaps.Key Accountabilities
• Maintain a complete regional view of all restricted funding, funding gaps, and pipeline opportunities and ensure that country programmes regularly update the Restricted Income System.
• Proactively work with Member Restricted Funding Manager, fundraising teams and country programmes to match potential funding opportunities to funding gaps so that Country Plans are fully funded
• Support country programmes to develop timely high quality proposals to enable fundraisers to secure funding in line with pipeline income targets for current and future years drawing on support from other fundraising teams as required
• Support Country Programmes to ensure that programme targets and reporting are realistic and that they have the capacity (existing or planned) to deliver on their agreed funding obligations
• Monitor the meeting of funding obligations and escalate emerging and realised risks to Head of Region and Member Restricted Funding Manager for onward escalation to Funding Committee and work with relevant country programme to mitigate risk
• Support Country Programmes to identify any additional short-term capacity required to meet proposal and reporting milestones and coordinate the filling of capacity gaps, including own mobilisation
• Support Country Programmes to ensure reports are of high quality that at least meet funder requirements and at best surpass funder expectations, working with Country Programmes and Fundraising teams to meet standards and resolve issues
• Monitoring country programme’s compliance with approved restricted funding standards (Global Standards), policies and practises (like RIMAP, funding matrix) and ensure they meet agreed standards to enable Head of Region to provide necessary assurance to Funding Committee
• Assist country programme in identifying priority funders in their respective country and develop key relations with select funders in the region
• Lead on development and management for multi-country grants within the region as appropriate
• Liaise and coordinate with other Regional Funding Managers on multi-regions grants
• Advise fundraising teams and country programmes in the planning and delivery of high standard funder visits that surpass funder expectations and minimise undue impact on country programme staff.
• Support country programmes in developing fundraising strategies based market opportunities and support them to develop capability using relevant skills from across federation
• As relevant, develop and deliver regional fundraising strategy to secure funds at a regional level and from countries where we do not have country programmes
• Work with Member Restricted Funding Manager to continually improve our management of restricted funding practices and processes
• Ensure reasonable care is taken of self and others in the workplace (including team members managed if appropriate) according to health and safety policy and principles.
• Undertake any other responsibilities, tasks or activities as reasonably required.
Person specification
Essential
1. Degree level qualification in international development, economics or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
2. Good understanding of development issues and experience of working in the developing world.
3. Significant experience-based skills in planning, securing and managing funds from institutional donors such as USAID, AUSAID and sound understanding of institutional and government donors, and funding policies
4. Sound appreciation of corporate and major donor needs
5. Significant experience of proposal development for large institutional donors, corporate, major donors
6. Experience of developing budgets for funding proposals to institutional donors.
7. Previous experience of working in a global organisation is essential
8. Experience of support and capacity building of non fundraising specialists in proposals and grant management
9. Experience of working with many and varied stakeholders in an international organisation.
10. Excellent computer literacy and able to work in Microsoft XP environment, with strong skills in MS Excel.
11. Strong project management skills
12. Good team worker. Proven ability to work with people from a range of cultural, social, ethnic backgrounds and with different skills.
13. Excellent written and spoken English to engage effectively with and influence a variety of audiences.
14. Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
15. For those applying for the West African post you must be fluent in French or Portuguese.
16. Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these.
Desirable
17. Responsibility for proposal development, contract management/ financial reporting for donors like USAID, Gates Foundation, AusAid and SIDA as well as corporate, trsust and foundations.
18. Experience of managing institutional donor funding programmes in developing countries would be an added advantage.
19. French or Portuguese language skills.
Method of Application
For more information on these role, or to apply please visit www.wateraid.org/jobs Please note that ONLY applications submitted on WaterAid's standard application form will be considered. Please apply by using our online application form. Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. Closing date: Friday 18th April 2014.