Senior Grants Manager

Background:

The Syria Education Programme II (SEP II), funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and running until 2027, provides primary school children with access to quality, inclusive and sustainable education in conflict-affected areas of Northwest Syria. The project provides comprehensive support to schools and teachers, including pedagogical supervision, learning assessments, psychosocial support and safeguarding measures. The goal is to foster hope for future generations by investing in capacity building and models that facilitate learning.

Position Overview:

The Senior Grants Manager will lead SEP II’s grant portfolio, ensuring strategic alignment, compliance and impact across a multi-million-pound portfolio. This role provides leadership in strategic grant design and implementation, financial oversight, stakeholder engagement, partner performance and capacity building, while upholding Chemonics’ and SEP II’s code of ethics and safeguarding standards.

The Senior Grants Manager will adhere to and act in accordance with Chemonics’ professional code of ethics, “Living Our Values”, and will make the principles of the code part of the programme’s culture and operating procedures. They will uphold SEP II’s safeguarding standards at all times and promote a safeguarding culture among partners, beneficiaries and staff. They will also foster and maintain good relationships with potential and actual grantees, disclose any affiliations that could be perceived as a conflict of interest, and maintain confidentiality regarding programme activities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

Strategic Portfolio Grants Management

• Lead a multi-million-pound grants portfolio, including the design, selection, contracting, implementation, monitoring and closure of grants, ensuring compliance with FCDO and Chemonics policies.
• Shape and implement grants management strategies and future programme design, creating, strengthening and overseeing overall policies, practices and procedures relating to all aspects of the grants lifecycle.
• Ensure close coordination between grantees and Manahel’s programme, field, grants and compliance teams to support smooth implementation.
• Continuously apply lessons learned, innovations and sector best practice to strengthen grants operations and programme outcomes.
• Serve as the main point of contact for funders and external partners, maintaining strong relationships with strategic partners and stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and support to project teams and programme leadership on grant compliance and delivery.

Financial Oversight

• Lead the financial management of the grants portfolio, ensuring responsible fund disbursement and financial reporting.
• Develop and enforce financial and administrative controls to monitor expenditures, ensuring grants are delivered on time and on budget.
• Review grant packages and grantees’ financial reports, and prepare payment requests in compliance with Chemonics’ procedures and FCDO regulations.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with FCDO regulations and Chemonics policies throughout the grant lifecycle.
• Conduct due diligence and compliance checks with partners, addressing risks proactively.
• Propose and implement compliant solutions for obstacles posed by the complex Syrian implementation context.

Partner Performance and Capacity Building

• Line manage Grants Managers and Officers, fostering a high-performance team culture.
• Design and implement a partner performance management strategy and monitor performance on an ongoing basis, implementing recommendations and supporting the strengthening of partners’ capacity in identified areas.

Reporting

• Ensure grantees deliver high-quality narrative and financial reporting.
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic reports to the client on progress towards programme results.
• Ensure that all grant files are complete and maintained as required.
• Conduct programme monitoring visits, including travel as required.

Qualifications & Experience:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to perform the principal duties.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., international development, public administration, finance)
• Master’s degree preferred, especially in international development or nonprofit management
• 5+ years managing large-scale grants, including donor-funded programmes
• Strong understanding of Chemonics’ grants management processes and donor regulations governing grants administration
• Knowledge and understanding of the Syrian context, including the conflict and security situation; previous experience in Syria is strongly preferred
• Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and team leadership
• Familiarity with FCDO or institutional donor regulations is preferred
• Strong project and financial management skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement abilities
• Proficiency in MS Office and grant management software
• Proven ability to build the capacity of managed staff in grants management and to successfully manage teams for results
• Ability to travel internationally and work across cultures
• Professional proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English is required. Professional proficiency in Arabic is required.

Safeguarding and Child Protection:

At Chemonics Tanmia, the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable individuals are paramount. To uphold this fundamental value, the organisation implements stringent safeguarding protocols during recruitment and onboarding. This includes detailed background and reference checks for selected candidates, ensuring the highest standards of safety and protection against any form of harm or exploitation. These thorough procedures underscore Chemonics’ unwavering commitment to creating and maintaining secure environments for the most vulnerable.