Head of Grants Management
Position title: Head of Grants Management
Reports to: Director, Global Programmes
Location: Nottingham and Remote (Within UK)
Hours of Work: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary guideline: (Up to) £54,999 per annum (commensurate with experience)
Terms of Employment: Permanent (with a 3-Month Probationary Period)
Application Process & Closing Date: Send an up to date CV and supporting Covering Letter by Email no later than 24th November 2026
Job overview:
This is a senior leadership role in the Global Programmes Division, with strategic responsibility for how programme funding moves from commitment to delivery across all Muslim Hands Country Offices (MHXs).
The Head of Grants Management will lead the Grants Management Unit. Within delegated authority, the postholder will approve grant administration workflows, fund disbursement schedules and grant management procedures, and will manage the Unit's resources and budget. They will also oversee the whole funding cycle, from approved Annual Development Plans (ADPs) and MHFR commitments through to disbursement and reconciliation. Funding gaps, delays and compliance risks will be escalated to senior management.
However, the Head of Grants Management will not independently:
• Approve country ADPs or programme budgets.
• Make or vary funding commitments on behalf of Muslim Hands Fundraising Offices (MHFRs).
• Authorise fund transfers outside delegated authority or without the required Finance sign-off.
• Agree or amend donor funding agreements or grant conditions.
• Set or change the organisation's financial policies.
Final approval of programme budgets, funding allocations and material exceptions will remain with the Director, Global Programmes, Finance and Senior Management, as appropriate.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
• Provide strategic leadership to the Grants Management Unit in alignment with organisational priorities and approved programme plans.
• Develop and continuously improve grants management systems, processes, and operational frameworks that strengthen organisational efficiency and accountability.
• Advise senior management on grant implementation performance, funding trends, and risks affecting programme delivery.
• Promote a culture of transparency, compliance, service excellence, and financial accountability within the grants management function.
Grants Administration:
• Lead the implementation of grant administration processes supporting approved Annual Development Plans (ADPs) and programme budgets.
• Oversee the preparation, coordination, and management of annual and project-specific fund disbursement schedules.
• Ensure timely processing and coordination of programme fund transfers to MHXs in accordance with approved implementation plans.
• Monitor grant implementation against approved budgets, disbursement schedules, and funding agreements.
• Ensure grant records, funding trackers, and financial documentation are accurately maintained and regularly updated.
Financial Coordination:
• Coordinate with Finance, Programme teams, and MHXs to forecast programme funding requirements and cash flow needs.
• Monitor grant utilisation and identify funding bottlenecks that may affect programme implementation.
• Facilitate timely follow-up on funding requests, approvals, transfers, and financial reconciliations.
• Support organisational financial reporting processes related to programme grants and funding utilisation.
• Ensure grant administration processes are aligned with organisational financial management systems.
Compliance and Risk Management:
• Ensure compliance with organisational financial policies, grant conditions, donor requirements, and internal disbursement protocols.
• Monitor financial and operational risks relating to grant administration and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Promote strong internal controls and accountability throughout the grant administration process.
• Support internal and external audits by ensuring grant documentation is complete, accurate, and readily accessible.
Systems and Process Improvement:
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen grant administration efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
• Identify opportunities to streamline grant management processes through automation, digitalisation, and process optimisation.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, guidance documents, and operational tools for grant administration.
• Promote consistent grant management practices across all MHXs.
Collaboration and Integration:
• Work closely with the Head of Operations & MEAL to align fund disbursement schedules with implementation plans, operational priorities, and Annual Development Plans.
• Collaborate with the Head of Programme Development & Quality Management to ensure programme quality improvement initiatives and technical priorities are adequately supported through grant administration processes.
• Coordinate with the Head of Business Development & Institutional Partnerships to facilitate the administration and disbursement of institutional donor grants in accordance with funding agreements.
• Partner with the Head of IT/Digitalisation & Knowledge Management to strengthen grant management systems, financial dashboards, automation, and reporting tools.
• Share grant utilisation trends, funding forecasts, and financial insights with other Units to support organisational planning and decision-making.
Leadership and People Management:
• Build and lead a high-performing Grants Management team through effective leadership, mentoring, coaching, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-focused service delivery.
• Promote organisational values, safeguarding principles, and ethical financial management practices across the Unit.
Decision-Making Authority:
• Approve grant administration workflows, fund disbursement schedules, and grant management procedures within delegated authority.
• Recommend improvements to grant management systems, policies, and operational processes.
• Escalate grant implementation risks, funding bottlenecks, and compliance issues to senior management.
• Endorse grant administration documentation and financial coordination processes within delegated authority.
• Manage departmental resources and budgets within delegated authority.
General expectations:
• To undertake (/progress towards undertaking) all tasks and duties in an Effective, Efficient, Transparent and Wholly Accountable Manner.
• To undertake any reasonable task or instruction as required by immediate line manager or HR / Senior Management.
• To promote and adhere to all Muslim Hands’ Policies and Codes of Practices.
Technical Competencies
• Grants management and administration.
• Financial planning, forecasting, and fund disbursement management.
• Donor compliance and grant regulations.
• Financial reporting and reconciliation.
• Risk management and internal controls.
• Process improvement and systems development.
• Stakeholder coordination and relationship management.
• Data analysis and financial reporting systems.
• Strategic planning and organisational coordination.
Behavioural Competencies
• Strategic leadership.
• Strong analytical and financial problem-solving skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational abilities.
• Collaborative leadership and stakeholder management.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Sound judgement and decision-making.
• Integrity and accountability.
• Commitment to safeguarding, transparency, and ethical financial management.