Grants and Collaborations Team Leader - Performance Enhancement

The role – Grants and Collaborations Team Leader – Performance Enhancement will lead a small team within the Grants and Collaborations Team to ensure the effective and timely delivery of high-quality grant management services across SPC. The incumbent will provide expert advice and support on complex grant-related activities, strengthen grants management processes, and drive continuous improvements in grant systems and practices. The Team Leader will also play a key role in fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring grant activities meet SPC’s standards, comply with funder requirements and contribute to the achievement of SPC’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Systems and processes: Grants Performance, Quality and Continuous Improvement

• Lead the development and implementation of initiatives to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, quality and consistency of SPC's grants and collaborations function.

• Develop practical improvement plans and oversee their implementation, monitoring progress and reporting results to the Grants and Collaborations Manager.

• Identify and implement improvements to Grants and Collaboration Tools and Systems: Enhance the tools and systems used for managing grants and collaborations, ensuring they support better understanding, compliance, and efficiency across SPC.

• Monitor the performance of grants management processes and identify trends, bottlenecks, control weaknesses, recurring issues and opportunities for improvement.

• Establish and maintain appropriate performance indicators, service standards and quality measures for the Grants and Collaborations function.

Systems, Data, Digitalisation and Process Improvement

• Lead the review and improvement of grants and collaborations systems, tools and workflows including supporting the evaluation, selection and implementation of a Grants Management System (GMS) including definition of business requirements and integration with Business Central (PR-to-Pay); and contribute to the transition to a Centre-Led operating model for grants management.

• Identify opportunities for automation, digitalisation and improved use of technology across the grants lifecycle.

• Work with ICT and relevant business units to define business requirements for grants management systems and digital solutions.

• Promote the use of reliable grants data to support operational management, performance monitoring, reporting and decision-making.

• Develop and maintain appropriate management information, dashboards and performance reports.

Advice and Guidance

• Provide expert advice on SPC grants and collaborations processes: Provide expert advice to the Grants and Collaborations Manager and senior management on grants management performance, risk, systems and process improvement.

• Provide advice to decision-makers on complex grant and collaboration Issues: Provide evidence-based advice to relevant committees and decision-makers on systemic grants management issues and proposed improvements.

• Brief decision-makers on trends, performance issues, risks and opportunities for improvement.

• Prepare high-quality reports, briefing notes, dashboards and management information for internal stakeholders.

• Support the Grants and Collaborations Manager in preparing reports for senior management, the Executive, governing bodies and the Audit and Risk Committee.

Management of staff

• Team leadership and supervision: Lead the staff, ensuring clear direction, support, and motivation is provided to staff.

• Recruitment and staffing: Lead the recruitment and selection process ensuring that staffing level and capabilities are appropriate to meet operational needs.

• Performance management, training and development:

• manage the performance management process for staff ensuring that team performance goals are aligned with SPC objectives.

• manage the training and development needs for staff ensuring continuous learning and skill development within the team.

Outreach, education and training

• Develop mechanisms to capture, share and institutionalise lessons learned across the Grants and Collaborations Team.

• Lead communication and change-management activities associated with new or revised grants processes, systems and requirements.

• Provide capacity building: Lead the development and delivery of training programs to internal and external stakeholders to enhance understanding and management of grants and collaborations, including pre-award and post-award processes, and as part of SPC’s performance enhancement work.

• Build collaborative relationships: Lead on fostering strong, collaborative relationships with all SPC stakeholders, ensuring alignment and support for grants and collaborative activities.

• Ensure effective communication: Lead on maintaining open and effective lines of communication with key stakeholders, building strong relationships to support the effective implementation of grants and collaborative initiatives.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key Selection Criteria 

Qualifications 

• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field such as law, finance, grants management, business administration or international development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. 

Technical expertise

• At least 7–8 years of relevant experience in grants management, programme/project management, business administration, finance, risk management, compliance, process improvement, international development, law or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating teams and/or complex cross-functional initiatives.

• Demonstrated experience reviewing and improving organisational processes, systems or operating procedures.

• Experience in performance monitoring, data analysis and management reporting.

• Experience developing guidance, procedures, tools and training materials.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex information into practical recommendations.        

Language skills 

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage. 

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness 

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.