ECHO Grants and Finance Advisor

ABOUT THE ROLE
Start Network is looking for an experienced grants management professional with strong financial
acumen, and the ability to influence a variety of senior stakeholders and establish new systems and
ways of working. The Grants and Finance Advisor is responsible for leading all grant management
processes and procedures for the implementation of a strategic partnership with European Civil
Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation (ECHO). Based in the Operations and Finance Team, the
role will work closely with Resource Mobilisation and Programme teams to support the donor to pilot
Start Ready anticipatory action and create efficiencies in humanitarian action under their existing
funding framework.

This position is new for Start Network and requires prior technical experience managing ECHO
grants. The role will contribute to the effectiveness and impact of an ECHO-funded pilot programme
by supporting the sound financial, grant management, and administrative practices across Start
Network. The postholder will ensure that the financial and administrative systems and procedures
for the programmes and budgets are of high quality and compliant with donor and legal
requirements, while building organisational capacity to work with ECHO funding.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Grant Management & Reporting
The role will have responsibility for the end-to-end grant management cycle for a large,
complex grant from the European Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid
Operations (ECHO). This includes the following accountabilities:
• Work with Resource Mobilisation and programme teams to manage the smooth running of
donor preliminary assessments, start up, monitoring, amendment and close out processes.
• Lead on ECHO grant monitoring calls working with Programmes, Resources Mobilisation
and Operations functions as well as Save the Children Germany
• Lead the development of ECHO subaward grant processes.
• Manage ECHO sub-grants from contracting to reporting, recording, compliance, and managing financial risk as appropriate.
• Manage ECHO donor financial reporting, set up systems and process to ensure reporting is
compliant, timely and accurate.
• Compile ECHO financial reports and payment requests ensuring accuracy with Start Network financial systems and work with finance team to develop a consistent process for reconciliation of ECHO financial reports
• Advise Resource Mobilisation, Finance, Programmes, and Operations teams on best practice ECHO grant management processes as required.
• Review and provide advice on amendments to the ECHO Specific Grant Agreement to ensure feasibility from a Start Network perspective.
• Responsible to ensure that Financial ECHO Requirements are followed and when this may not be possible, bring innovative and creative solutions to be negotiated and agreed with the donor in collaboration with the Resource Mobilisation team.

Grant Administration and Training
• Lead on ECHO grant tracking processes, updating and managing a grant management
tracker and calendar. Work closely with the Resource Mobilisation team to maintain
trackers and to communicate key dates.
• Act as the Grants & Finance point of contact for ECHO grant management processes
• Be the focal point for ECHO financial reporting and grant management training for Start
Network peers and members.

Financial and Budget Management
• Manage the complex multi-million Euro ECHO budget, ensuring all stakeholders are
accurately informed and funds are drawn down appropriately.
• Lead and support the development of relevant grant management procedures.
• Develop processes to ensure smooth payment to grantees under the ECHO project. Work
with the Finance team and Save the Children to support implementation of these
processes.
• Lead on development of ECHO-specific management reports to inform decision making.
• Meet regularly with budget holders for financial monitoring of the ECHO grant, to advise on
and take decisions on reallocation of funds where required.
• Support Head of teams in areas related to the management of this grant in order to
guarantee efficient use of funds.
• Monitor income and fund transfers from ECHO and Save the Children Germany
• Lead a primary audit trail from primary documentation to the accounting system for
accurate and rapid ECHO reporting and general record keeping in close coordination with
Resource mobilisation team.
• Working with the finance team, lead on development of processes to ensure consistency of
grant financial management (ICR, FX rates, salary postings)
• Lead on monitoring of financial risk related to exposure on sub-grant agreements.
• Support and advise from a grant management perspective on wider finance team
initiatives.

Start Network Culture
• Carry out the responsibilities of the role in line with the Start Network Code of Conduct and
with a commitment to safeguarding adults and children.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Start Network vision, principles, values, and approach
• The Start Network team is an agile group of individuals who use their experience and skills
across the network, so flexibility to work in and with different teams and functions is a part
of our culture

This position is planned for the length of the Start Ready pilot partnership; 18 months with the
possibility of extension if the relationship leads to further funding from ECHO.

If you feel you have the right skills for this role, please get in touch.