Grants Programme Manager, Europe
At the Centre for Public Impact, we believe in the transformative potential of government to improve lives and create better outcomes for all. Yet, we recognize that many of today’s government systems, structures, and processes are not yet designed to address the complex challenges of our time. That’s why we are committed to reimagining government- working towards systems that truly serve everyone, equitably, and effectively.
As a not-for-profit organization founded by the Boston Consulting Group, we act as a learning partner for governments, public servants, and a diverse network of change makers. Though we are a small organisation, our global footprint is expansive. We have dedicated and innovative teams in Asia, Australia/ Aotearoa New Zealand, Europe and North America. We are all aligned by our Global Hub operational team who provide people & culture, operational, finance, and communications partnership across the regions.
CPIE was founded in 2020 and our culture is founded on the values and principles within our vision for government. So in everything we do we aim to be humble, open, empathetic, authentic, trusting and trustworthy, curious and to champion diversity and inclusion. We continually experiment with ways to embody our values, striving to share power and devolve decision-making to those best placed to make the decision. We challenge traditional hierarchies, adopt a strengths-based approach, and prioritise mutual support.
The AI Opportunity Fund, led by the Centre for Public Impact with support from Google . org, is currently a €16 million initiative aimed at empowering underserved workers across Europe with essential AI skills. The programme has selected 73 organisations from hundreds of applications to provide tailored AI training to at least 20,000 workers across 24 European countries. These organisations focus on diverse communities, including rural job seekers, underemployed women, and public sector workers, aiming to bridge the digital divide and promote economic resilience. The initiative underscores AI’s potential to drive social mobility and equitable growth across the continent. We are also hoping to scale our work in this area in the future.
Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Grants Programme Manager to ensure the successful delivery of the AI Opportunity Fund. This role is responsible for the operational leadership of the programme, ensuring that it is planned and executed effectively on time, on budget and within scope. A key focus of the role is ensuring that the grant-giving component of the programme is designed and stewarded diligently.
This is a middle management role that is primarily operational with some elements of strategic leadership. It requires strong project management skills, good grant-making practice and the ability to manage relationships with diverse partners. We’re looking for someone who is comfortable working with considerable scope and complexity; and who embraces the challenges and opportunities of a startup environment where learning, adaptability, and building the plane as we fly it are central!
Responsibilities and Competencies:
Programme Development and Delivery
Lead on shaping the design and execution of the AI Opportunity Fund utilising appropriate project management frameworks.
Coordinate high quality project deliverables including implementing an AI training programme at scale and convening peer learning and knowledge sharing workshops.
Collaborate closely with Finance and Senior Leadership to manage and monitor the programme budget and expenditure.
Identify, escalate and contribute to addressing programmatic risks to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and donor requirements.
Grant Making and Management
Lead the design and implementation of the AI Opportunity Fund grant making function, embedding good grant making practice whilst adhering to donor expectations.
Develop and implement robust grant-making systems, processes and structures to successfully execute each stage of the grant lifecycle.
Provide excellent stewardship of a large portfolio of grants, providing technical support and effectively managing escalated issues to ensure the programme achieves its strategic objectives.
Build the capacity of the wider AI Opportunity Fund team in grant making skills and capabilities.
Manage and coach the Grants Officer, ensuring they deliver their grants administration responsibilities effectively.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Management
Provide excellent donor stewardship of Google . org, securing their confidence in CPIE as a thought and delivery partner.
Cultivate, maintain and oversee strong relationships with wider stakeholders on the programme including service providers and evaluation partners.
Support senior leadership to position the programme strategically internally and externally in order to advance CPIE’s reputation and offer.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Ensure that CPIE prepares and submits accurate, timely and high quality programme and grant reports to Google, CPI’s Board and other key audiences.
Collaborate closely with the Communications Team, Senior Leadership and external providers to ensure robust impact measurement of the AI Opportunity Fund.
Identify and leverage opportunities to share insights from the AI Opportunity Fund to a range of stakeholders including broader CPI teams, wider civil society and current and potential clients.
Embed a culture of learning and reflexivity in the team, utilising insights from the Programme to shape project management in an iterative way.
DEIB & Collaborative Working
Actively contribute to a diverse, equitable, inclusive and belonging (DEIB) culture by embracing different perspectives and fostering an environment of respect.
Dedicate time to continuous learning about DEIB and how it informs our mission, and commit to disrupting white supremacy in the workplace.
Demonstrate empathy for government and the communities they serve to advance DEIB within systems that government influences
Embed DEIB within the AI Opportunity Fund design approach and team.
This job profile isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list of your duties, rather it gives an outline of what your role will involve.
Skills & Qualifications:
We expect applicants for this role will generally have 5-8 years work experience.
Essential
Significant project management knowledge and experience, with demonstrable application of project management methodologies and frameworks.
Proven grant making experience including designing, developing, implementing and monitoring sizable portfolios, and maintaining good grant making practice.
Proven experience of identifying, assessing, prioritising, and managing risks when executing programmes.
Proven experience of building productive relationships with external parties, including in convening stakeholders for learning or wider objectives.
Intercultural competence, experience of managing high performing teams. and proven commitment to advancing DEIB.
Desirable
A recognised project management qualification e.g. PRINCE2, Agile Certifications etc.
Experience of successfully delivering complex contracts for high value donors/clients e.g. third party grant programmes.
Experience or understanding of AI or related technologies.
