Key Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of Community Foundation and Donor Advised grant rounds to ensure quality grant making that is strategic and impactful in line with the donors’ philanthropic interests and Community Foundations mission priorities. 

Grant Operations

• Managing a portfolio of grant rounds and support one-off grant making from design through assessment, payment and evaluation
• Support and lead development of strategic grant making approaches, especially around the Foundations Mission Priorities.
• Managing queries from applicant organisations; assessing/ coordinating the assessment of grant applications; communicating outcomes to successful and unsuccessful applicants
• Due diligence: carrying out due diligence and governance checks as per our due diligence policy and procedures
• Acting as the key point of contact for grantees throughout the lifecycle of the funding programme
• Processing grant applications and payments using the SmartSimple CRM
• Issuing and collecting grant agreements, reports and Due Diligence requests.
• Managing queries from grantees in relation to changes to their grant purpose or grant detail
• Collecting reports from grantees at agreed intervals
• Support the foundation in engaging with the Sector 

  Data and Impact Analysis

• Report writing
• Supporting the team in developing effective impact reporting frameworks and templates thinking critically to tell the story of the Foundation's impact through its grant-making and its donor grant-making; writing compelling impact reports and presenting to key stakeholders, becoming proficient on the Foundation's database in order to support impact storytelling with clear, intelligible data.
• Working with colleagues to develop and implement strategies and plans around grant making and operations
• Using AI to support Data, Trend and Research analysis
• Connecting with the sector to determine emerging funding needs
• Communications of Grant activities, aligned to Community Foundation Mission Priorities
• Scoping grant making opportunities
• Working in partnership with colleagues across the Foundation to deliver high quality grant making including development, communications, and finance teams. 

Governance, Risk and Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external legislation relevant to the role.
• Support the implementation of the Foundation’s Risk framework as relevant to the role, raising relevant risks to the Grants Operations Manager and documenting incidents should they occur to ensure learnings are documented and actioned.

General Administration and Coordination: 

• Managing the info@foundation.ie and related inboxes
• Supporting Grantees by phone and MS Teams
• Ensuring that donor and Foundation requests are dealt with efficiently and effectively.
• Maintain the most efficient and effective approach to grant operations. This may include the development of best practice guides, service level agreements or other supporting structures.
• Scheduling and minuting team meetings, workshops, training sessions
• Contribute to Mission Priority Cluster meetings
• Coordinating events relating to work of team
• Data entry, management and analysis using SmartSimple
• Other duties as they may arise

Ad hoc duties in line with the needs of the organisation 

About you

You have experience in grants management systems, grant making, customer service, research and data analysis along with strong knowledge of the charities sector.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience in grants management systems, research, due diligence, data analysis and report writing
• Customer Service and Communications skills
• Knowledge of the charities sector, grant-making processes, due diligence practice
• Attention to detail, collaboration, working well in a team
• Degree Level Qualification (minimum Level 8) in a relevant field 

Desirable Criteria: 

• 5 plus years of experience working in a similar role
• Proficiency in CRM tools (e.g. Salesforce, SmartSimple)
• Relevant qualification, e.g. Social Sciences, Communications, Research, data analysis, legal, accounting 

Terms

• Full-time, permanent role 35 hours per week
• Hybrid working – with two compulsory days a week at our Dublin 2 Office under an arrangement which is reviewed.
• Competitive salary in the range €35,080 to €47,617(dependent on experience).
• Automatic enrolment in our occupational pension scheme, with employer matching contributions up to 5% of salary.
• 22 days annual leave, rising to 26 days after 1 year
• Volunteer Days CSR Scheme (2 paid days per annum).
• Income Protection Scheme.
• Death in Service benefit which will pay a lump sum of 4x your salary to your loved ones in the event of your untimely passing.
• Tax Saver tickets and Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which provides a range of support services, including mental health services and financial and legal guidance.
• Regular team-based activities and social activities.
• Convenient city centre location.
• Networking opportunities with key stakeholders.
• Community Foundation Ireland is a strong promoter of personal and continuous professional development. 

Additional Information

This job description is intended as a broad outline of responsibilities and may be subject to change in line with organisational needs. Flexibility and initiative are key, as the role holder may be asked to support other colleagues and projects from time to time.

All staff are required to: 

• Carry out their work in accordance with the organisational values and ensure that their behaviours are in keeping with our values.
• Be aware of, understand and comply with all of the Foundations policies and procedures.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, team meetings and relevant training.
• Attend some of the Foundation events each year.