Role overview
What you'll be stepping into
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is seeking a Grants and Compliance Manager to support compliant implementation of a project in Uganda. The position will provide leadership on grant implementation, compliance, milestone reporting, grant agreement management, financial matters, and donor requirements in accordance with CRS policies and applicable donor regulations.
The successful candidate will serve as a key link between program teams, sub-awardees, the global project team, CRS headquarters, and country-level finance and compliance teams. The role requires strong grants management, financial analysis, compliance, communication, and organizational skills.
Key Responsibilities
1. Grant Financial Management
Serve as the principal point of contact for grant financial management and compliance matters involving program staff, sub-awardees, the project’s global team, CRS Headquarters Finance, and country program finance and compliance teams.
Ensure relevant project staff understand and comply with applicable donor requirements.
Participate in project start-up, mid-term, and close-out meetings to promote a clear understanding of finance-related requirements.
Support global project, country program, and CRS Headquarters finance and compliance colleagues in addressing grant conditions, questions, modifications, and clarification requests.
Provide guidance on financial and compliance matters throughout project implementation.
2. Sub-Award Management
Support the development, review, and approval of Fixed Amount Award (FAA) agreements with sub-awardees while ensuring compliance with CRS and donor requirements.
Develop and process amendments to sub-award agreements where required.
Support timely assessment of local partners’ financial capacity and ability to comply with specific donor requirements where exceptions to FAA agreements exist.
Work with program and finance teams to develop action plans addressing identified capacity or systems gaps.
Monitor and enforce safeguarding policy compliance among project sub-awardees.
Conduct required partner assessments.
Develop and maintain systems for tracking sub-awardee reporting, milestones, agreement expiration dates, and donor-approved changes in grant procedures.
Review sub-awardee progress reports by comparing milestone achievement against expenditure.
Analyze financial and compliance challenges that may affect project implementation.
Recommend reimbursements to the Project Director where appropriate.
Support resolution of questioned costs when necessary.
3. Financial and Donor Reporting
Prepare financial reports within CRS financial systems to facilitate reconciliation and effective project budget monitoring.
Co-develop progress reports that connect milestone achievement with expenditure for donor reporting.
Analyze financial and compliance-related deviations from project plans.
Respond to finance-related questions from CRS teams and sub-grantees concerning budgets, expenditure, milestone achievement, and reporting.
Provide guidance on donor requirements and CRS financial policies and procedures.
4. Compliance and Risk Management
Develop tools, operational manuals, and communications that help grant staff and sub-awardees understand and implement donor compliance requirements.
Provide guidance on compliance areas such as timekeeping, travel, procurement, and other applicable donor requirements.
Collaborate with country and global teams to ensure CRS safeguarding policies are implemented throughout the project.
Support preparation for financial audits when required.
Ensure audit recommendations are addressed and closed within the required timelines.
Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of action plans arising from audits and compliance reviews.
Lead and oversee the financial close-out of the project.
5. Cost Application Development
Provide oversight during the development of follow-on cost applications and milestone plans.
Ensure proposed budgets are reasonable, accurate, and adequately reflect the costs required to successfully implement planned activities.
Work with relevant teams to ensure financial projections align with program implementation requirements and milestones.
Qualifications and Experience
Basic Qualifications
Candidates should have:
A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
At least 3 years of progressive experience in grants management.
Strong demonstrated experience in finance and program management.
Experience developing, setting, and monitoring complex budgets.
Preferred Qualifications
The following will be an added advantage:
A Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
A professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, CPA, or equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
Strong knowledge of US Government (USG) funding mechanisms and requirements.
Thorough knowledge and practical experience in grant financial reporting.
Knowledge of JDE and/or Oracle enterprise systems is preferred.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Knowledge of fund accounting and US Government funding regulations applicable to nonprofit organizations.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Ability to train financial and non-financial staff at different levels.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong organizational, planning, and self-management abilities.
Ability to work collaboratively in a proactive and multicultural environment.
Ability to work independently when required.
Strong customer service orientation.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Required Language
English: Strong written and spoken English is required.
Travel Requirements
The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel up to 30% to project locations and field offices outside Kampala.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
CRS Agency Competencies
All CRS staff are expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
Personal Accountability: Takes consistent responsibility for personal actions and decisions.
Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behavior aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission and maintains high standards of honesty.
Builds and Maintains Trust: Demonstrates consistency between words and actions.
Collaborates with Others: Works effectively with people from diverse and intercultural backgrounds.
Open to Learn: Seeks experiences and opportunities that encourage learning and broaden perspectives.
CRS Agency Leadership Competencies
The role also requires the ability to:
Lead Change: Identify opportunities to improve the agency through agility, openness, and innovation.
Develop and Recognize Others: Help build the capacity of staff to reach their potential and strengthen team and organizational performance.
Maintain a Strategic Mindset: Understand and contribute to the translation, communication, and implementation of agency strategy and team priorities.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications to Catholic Relief Services in accordance with the official application instructions for the position.
Application Deadline: 11 September 2026, no later than 5:00 PM.
How to apply