Grants and Contracts Manager

Focus of the Role

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a purpose-driven, not-for-profit organisation, with a mission to equip leaders to build open, prosperous and inclusive societies. We believe that politics done well has the power to transform lives. When governments work well, they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We are optimists, and we work relentlessly to support leaders and governments with the challenges they face: giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people.  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Advisory Practice works directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It has both non-profit partners and a client base and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia. We are currently in a rapid expansion phase from c. 18 countries at present, to 30 by December 2022.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

·Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 

·Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 

·Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

·Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 

·Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 

·Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

Our Fundraising and Donors Relations Team is a strategic function at the Institute, responsible for securing and managing income to ensure the Institute can achieve impact and increase its influence. The Team focusses on a broad range of high value relationships with philanthropic institutions, corporate partners, individuals and development partners as well as governments to meet its objectives. The Team works closely at the highest levels including with the Executive Chairman and CEO as well as operational teams to ensure the Institute is best positioned to maximise its relationships with its donors and partners.

The Grants and Contracts Manager role is a key part of the Fundraising and Donors Relations Team overseeing a portfolio of contracts with the Institute’s donor clients, including The Gates Foundation, USAID and the UK Government. The role will be responsible for the facilitation, negotiation and management of live contracts and sub-award funding mechanisms and will ensure that the Instiute’s funded projects are successfully delivered in accordance with contractual requirements

The role will work closely with teams across the Institute, including our Advisory, Policy and Institute Resources teams and will seek to ensure that our systems and processes facilitate the effective management and reporting of funded programmes to meet client requirements.  With strong interpersonal and organisational skills, the Grants and Contracts Manager will implement existing systems to ensure continuity of fundraising performance and co-ordination, will be a natural collaborator, and problem solver.

This role is a fixed-term role, for a maximum of two years.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with Advisory and Policy teams, Institute Resources (e.g. Legal, Finance, Security, Operations), External Relations, and external stakeholders (e.g. prime and sub partners and donors) to:
  • ensure the effective management of live contracts
  • monitor contract implementation, reporting and procurements to ensure donor compliance and tracking of Level of Effort (LOE) trends
  • develop systems, processes, tools and approval structures required to effectively manage and close-out awards including a strong planning approach
• For new contracts, review draft agreements and seek approvals as necessary, negotiate terms with donor, and set up awards in our internal systems
• Work with fundraisers to ensure the smooth transition of opportunities from the pipeline into award
• Support the development of, and manage, sub-award agreements to partners as needed
• Act as a key point of contact for clients and partners on awards and ensure timely and effective communication on all current contracts
• Ensure strong donor reporting protocols are in place including directly delivering reports, coordinating response to donor requests and facilitating communications in a timely manner
• Be accountable for meeting contract management targets and metrics
• Ensure project close-outs are delivered to plan and donor requirements
• Collaborate, supervise or mentor Program Managers sitting in our Advisory and Policy teams and ensure coherence and alignment in approaches across the Institute
• Work with our Advisory, Policy and Finance teams to ensure strong financial management in compliance with client requirements and ensure risks are captured and addressed including burn rate management
• Provide interpretation of select donor rules and provide training to staff on donor requirements, policies and procedures
• Maintain knowledge management systems and ensuring contract files are kept up to date in consistent manner to support contract closure, backstopping and handover
• Undertake other responsibilities as requested by the Director of Philanthropy and Business Development and team Heads

This role can be based in Washington D.C. or London and, when permitted, will require significant international travel.

Person Specification

This is a key role in the Institute and will help shape and grow the Fundraising and Donor Relations Team. The candidate should possess exemplary management and communication skills, outstanding attention to detail, eagerness to excel, a capability to grow in their role and be able to demonstrate the majority of the following:

• A minimum of three years of managing and providing finance/contract management support to teams implementing complex contracts
• Experience and knowledge of fundraising and business development operations
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines under pressure and manage complex tasks, projects and programs
• Experience in CRM and Database management (e.g. Salesforce, Raisers Edge, Dynamics or SharePoint)
• Strong financial literacy and knowledge of unit cost analysis and developing cost profiles
• Excellent verbal communication, writing, researching and editing skills
• Excellent diplomacy, discretion and ability to engage with individuals at all levels within the Institute
• Strong IT skills and ability to learn new systems easily including Office 365
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, problem-solving attitude
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience in a commercial context (highly desirable)
• Experience of or interest in policy research or development programmes (advantageous)
• Fundraising qualification (desirable)
• Ability to work in the UK or USA as appropriate

About The Institute

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you're successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.