Grant Acquisition Management Talent Pipeline - Financial Costing and Management Specialist

Major Responsibilities

• Develops cost proposals and budgets for competitive bids, ensuring alignment with programmatic design, donor cost principles, and organizational financial policies.
• Structures indirect cost rates, cost-share requirements, and fee/profit calculations.
• Prepares budget narratives that justify costs and demonstrate value for money.
• Reviews partner budgets for accuracy, compliance, and competitive pricing.
• Manages post-award financial performance including expenditure monitoring, variance analysis, forecasting, and financial reporting to donors.
• Ensures timely and accurate submission of financial reports in accordance with donor templates and deadlines.
• Led budget realignment and modification requests when program needs evolve.
• Oversees partner financial monitoring and sub-grant compliance.

End Results

• Competitive, fully compliant budgets and cost proposals that maximise cost recovery and demonstrate sound financial stewardship.
• Grants are financially well managed with accurate reporting, minimal audit findings, and proactive resolution of variances.
• Full compliance with donor financial regulations, reduced audit risk, and strengthened financial controls across the portfolio.
• Financially informed Go/No-Go decisions and pursuit strategies that account for cost recovery potential and financial risk.
• Reliable, real-time financial data that supports informed decision-making and efficient reporting across the grant portfolio.

Knowledge/Qualifications

• Required Professional Experience: Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in financial management of donor-funded grants and contracts within the international development or humanitarian sector.
• Demonstrated experience developing cost proposals and budgets for competitive bids to major institutional donors (USG, FCDO, EU, Global Fund, BMZ, SIDA, GAC).
• Strong knowledge of donor-specific cost principles, financial regulations, and audit requirements (FAR, OMB Uniform Guidance, EU Financial Regulation).
• Experience with financial monitoring, variance analysis, and donor financial reporting across multi-million dollar grant portfolios.
• Prominent ability to manage sub-grant financial oversight and partner financial capacity building.
• Required Education: University degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field. Master’s degree or professional certification (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CMA) preferred.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Fluency in oral and written English.
• Proficiency in French or Spanish is an advantage.
• Experience with grant financial management systems (SunSystems, Workday, SAP).
• Familiarity with World Vision or similar faith-based international NGO financial management practices.
• Experience with indirect cost rate negotiation and cost allocation methodologies.