Grant Acquisition Management Talent Pipeline - Financial Costing and Management Specialist

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.
Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Job Description:

Note: Joining our Talent Pipeline position means you can be part of our candidate pipeline, ready to contribute when new opportunities arise. By applying, you express your interest in being considered for future roles linked to donor-funded initiatives. Please note that joining the pool does not represent an immediate employment opportunity; instead, it ensures we can reach out to you when suitable positions become available. 

Job Purpose

The Financial Costing and Management Specialist provides expert financial leadership across the grant acquisition and management lifecycle, from pre-award budgeting and cost proposal development through post-award financial monitoring, compliance, and close-out. The role ensures that World Vision’s financial submissions are competitive, compliant, and reflect sound stewardship, while post-award financial management protects organisational interests and donor confidence. Grounded in the GAM Competency Framework, the position requires advanced proficiency in creating compelling proposals (cost component), post-award support, and the use of financial tools and systems.

Major Responsibilities

1) Develops cost proposals and budgets for competitive bids, ensuring alignment with programmatic design, donor cost principles, and organisational financial policies. Structures indirect cost rates, cost-share requirements, and fee/profit calculations. Prepares budget narratives that justify costs and demonstrate value for money. Reviews partner budgets for accuracy, compliance, and competitive pricing. (GAM Competency 3: Creating Compelling Proposals) 30%

End Results

Competitive, fully compliant budgets and cost proposals that maximise cost recovery and demonstrate sound financial stewardship.

2) Manages post-award financial performance including expenditure monitoring, variance analysis, forecasting, and financial reporting to donors. Ensures timely and accurate submission of financial reports in accordance with donor templates and deadlines. Leads budget realignment and modification requests when programme needs evolve. Oversees partner financial monitoring and sub-grant compliance. (GAM Competency 5: Post-Award Support) 25%

End Results

Grants are financially well managed with accurate reporting, minimal audit findings, and proactive resolution of variances.

3) Ensures compliance with donor-specific cost principles and financial regulations across the grant portfolio (FAR, OMB Uniform Guidance, EU Financial Regulation, FCDO Standard Provisions). Conducts pre-award cost reviews and risk assessments. Supports audit preparation and coordinates responses to audit findings. Develops compliance checklists and financial guidelines for field offices. (GAM Competency 4: Managing Grant Processes) 15%

End Results

Full compliance with donor financial regulations, reduced audit risk, and strengthened financial controls across the portfolio.

4) Contributes to donor landscape analysis by providing financial intelligence on donor budget trends, cost-recovery models, and pricing benchmarks. Advises on financial feasibility of opportunities during Go/No-Go analysis. Provides input on financial risk assessment for new pursuits. (GAM Competency 1: Mastering the GAM Cycle) 10%

End Results

Financially informed Go/No-Go decisions and pursuit strategies that account for cost recovery potential and financial risk.

5) Builds relationships with donor financial officers, auditors, and partner finance teams. Represents World Vision in financial discussions with donors during award negotiation and budget modification processes. Provides financial capacity building to national office finance teams and partners. (GAM Competency 2: Building Relationships with Donors and Partners) 10%

End Results

Strong working relationships with donor financial teams and improved financial management capacity across the partnership.

6) Implements and maintains financial management systems, budget tracking tools, and reporting dashboards. Ensures grant financial data is accurate and accessible in organisational systems (e.g., SunSystems, Workday). Champions the use of financial analytics tools for portfolio-level insights and decision support. (GAM Competency 6: Utilising Tools and Systems) 10%

End Results

Reliable, real-time financial data that supports informed decision-making and efficient reporting across the grant portfolio.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in financial management of donor-funded grants and contracts within the international development or humanitarian sector.
• Demonstrated experience developing cost proposals and budgets for competitive bids to major institutional donors (USG, FCDO, EU, Global Fund, BMZ, SIDA, GAC).
• Strong knowledge of donor-specific cost principles, financial regulations, and audit requirements (FAR, OMB Uniform Guidance, EU Financial Regulation).
• Experience with financial monitoring, variance analysis, and donor financial reporting across multi-million dollar grant portfolios.
• Proven ability to manage sub-grant financial oversight and partner financial capacity building.

Required Education

• University degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field. Master’s degree or professional certification (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CMA) preferred.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Fluency in oral and written English. Proficiency in French or Spanish is an advantage.
• Experience with grant financial management systems (SunSystems, Workday, SAP).
• Familiarity with World Vision or similar faith-based international NGO financial management practices.
• Experience with indirect cost rate negotiation and cost allocation methodologies.

Travel and Work Environment

• Willingness to travel up to 25% for proposal support, financial reviews, and partner capacity building.

Applicant Types Accepted: