With a background working for several small NGOs, becoming a consultant in grants management seemed like a giant step into the unknown. Many questions raced through my mind:
1) Is my contribution going to make a difference?
2) Will I become detached from grassroots project work?
And probably the biggest question:
3) What exactly does a consultant in grants management do?
I figured all this out very quickly and after three short years I feel fortunate enough to say “ I love my job”, and here’s why:
1. We support fantastic projects across the world
Crown Agents is the fund manager for many exciting grant programmes around the world, including the Ghana complementary basic education programme; South Sudan health pooled fund and; Trade Advocacy Fund. I currently work on the Global Poverty Action Fund (GPAF), a demand-led challenge fund supporting projects focused on poverty reduction and the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals through tangible changes to poor people’s lives.
Funded through DFID we have facilitated funding for over 200 projects working in 68 countries, with goals ranging from halving extreme poverty rates to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education. Grant funding ranges from £250k-£4m for large scale ‘Impact’ projects and up to £250k for ‘Innovation’ or ‘Community Partnership’ projects.
There are so many fantastic projects from International Rescue Committee’s ‘back on track’ project which focuses on improving maternal health and reducing child mortality for women and new-born babies in Sierra Leone, to Grow Movement’s project which increases household income and livelihood security for thousands of people in Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi by providing free remote consulting to local micro and small business entrepreneurs.
2. I work with incredible people
There are not too many careers in the UK where ‘Hostile Environment Awareness Training’ is built into the induction plan, but for many at Crown Agents, this is vital training that has come in handy as part of their working lives. Crown Agents staff work across the world, often in very challenging situations most recently fighting the spread of Ebola in Sierra Leone and supporting DFID’s humanitarian response to the earthquake in Nepal.
Although the most peril I currently face on a daily basis is the threat of a PowerPoint crash in the middle of a presentation, I feel proud to be a part of a collective who put others first to achieve common and meaningful goals, despite the risks involved. These are the people you want around in a tough situation.
3. I influence decision-making and strategic management
I found a general definition to explain what my position involves: a consultant is “an experienced individual that is trained to analyse and advise a client in order to help the client make the best possible choices”. I think that’s a good summation of my job. Not only do I advise DFID on aspects of fund management as part of programme learning, I also work within a larger team to manage the programme. I oversee the financial and contractual compliance for grant holders, coordinate risk mitigation processes, and reduce fiduciary risk by ensuring processes are efficient and provide value for money from start to finish.
4. I get to jargon-bust and problem solve!
My team is responsible for ensuring that grant funds are being used correctly and that all GPAF projects comply with the requirements of DFID. This means a lot of support and training on areas such as financial management and how to create policies on anti-bribery, child protection, best budget practice, etc. It is therefore imperative that we are able to communicate clearly and to the point.
I adhere to the well-worn Einstein quote: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”.
5. I’m part of something bigger
Crown Agents is not only about end-to-end grants and fund management: we also help countries grow their economies, strengthen their health systems and improve their financial management.
I am part of a long-standing, trusted organisation that works side by side with governments, aid agencies, NGOs and the private sector in nearly 100 countries, taking on fundamental challenges and transforming the future for people around the world.
And, in answer to my inner-monologue of questions above:
3. As a grant management consultant I help manage the GPAF for DFID, ensuring the programme is on track, grant finances are in order and projects are running well. It is busy, challenging, fun and rewarding all at the same time.
2. I’m still very much attached to the grassroots of project work. I’m regularly in contact with as many grant holders as possible troubleshooting issues and closely following the progress of all projects.
1. Judging by the stakeholder feedback I receive and the ongoing success of the programme, I’m confident that I’ve made a positive impact. I love designing and implementing grant programmes that ensure consistency of quality project outcomes across multiple organisations, and I’m passionate about improving fairness, accountability and grant management best practice to help beneficiaries and non-profit organisations on a large scale.
I’m proud to know I play a role in safeguarding UK taxpayers’ funds whilst making a difference to peoples’ lives, and this is why I will continue to love my job.
Brenda Dempsey is a senior grants manager at Crown Agents currently working on the UK government funded Global Poverty Action Fund in a joint venture with with Triple Line Consulting.
Content on this page is paid for and provided by Crown Agents, a sponsor of the Guardian Global Development Professionals Network.
