Desk Coordinator Job at Relief International

Relief International is seeking a highly organized and proactive professional to join its Program Implementation Department as a Desk Coordinator. This position offers an opportunity to work across an international portfolio of humanitarian and development programmes while supporting programme design, grants management, donor compliance and programme quality.

The role covers programmes in several challenging and diverse contexts, including Myanmar, the Philippines, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Palestine and South Sudan. Because the position supports multiple country programmes, the successful candidate will need to be comfortable working with different teams, managing competing deadlines and adapting to changing programme requirements.

The Desk Coordinator will work closely with Desk Managers, Country Offices, Awards Management, Resource Development and other support teams. The position will contribute to ensuring that programmes are properly designed, effectively implemented and reported according to the required standards.

A Role Across Multiple Programmes

This is not a position limited to one country programme or one area of project management. Instead, the Desk Coordinator will work across a portfolio of country operations and provide support at different stages of the programme cycle.

The work will involve proposal development, grants management, donor reporting, programme quality and capacity strengthening. This makes the position relevant to development and humanitarian professionals who enjoy working across different projects and collaborating with teams operating in complex environments.

A high level of organization will be necessary because several activities may need attention at the same time. The successful candidate should be able to identify priorities, keep track of deadlines and ensure that important programme documents and processes remain up to date.

Supporting Programme Design

One of the key areas of responsibility will be supporting the development of humanitarian and development programmes.

The Desk Coordinator will assist teams with programme design, proposal development and programme modification processes. This may involve working with Country Offices and other internal teams to ensure that programme ideas are properly developed before they are submitted for funding or modified during implementation.

The role will also support the preparation and review of donor proposals, concept notes and partnership documentation.

Quality and compliance will be important throughout this process. Documents need to meet the relevant requirements while clearly presenting the programme's objectives and approach.

The successful candidate should therefore be comfortable reviewing detailed documents and identifying areas that require clarification, improvement or correction.

Donor Reporting and Compliance

Donor reporting is another major component of the position.

The Desk Coordinator will work with Country Offices and Desk Managers to support the timely submission of high-quality donor reports. This requires close attention to donor requirements and the ability to coordinate information from different programme teams.

The position will help ensure that reporting obligations are properly tracked and that Country Offices have the support they need to meet their commitments.

Experience with institutional donors is particularly relevant. The successful candidate should have worked with major donors such as US Government donors, ECHO, AICS and UN agencies.

Experience with European Commission and development donors would also be an advantage.

Grants and Awards Management

The role also provides ongoing grants management support.

The Desk Coordinator will maintain grants management systems, reporting trackers and programme documentation. These records need to remain accurate and current so that programme teams and management have access to reliable information.

The successful candidate will participate in grants and awards management reviews, portfolio management discussions and project monitoring activities.

This requires an understanding of how different parts of the programme cycle connect. Grants management does not operate separately from programme implementation, reporting and monitoring, so the Desk Coordinator will need to understand the wider project process.

Building Capacity Within Country Teams

Another important responsibility will be helping Country Offices strengthen their programme management capabilities.

The Desk Coordinator will provide training, coaching and capacity-building support to country teams in areas such as qualitative reporting, grants management and donor compliance.

This means the successful candidate should be able to explain requirements clearly and work constructively with colleagues who may have different levels of experience.

The role is not simply about identifying mistakes or checking documents. It also involves helping teams develop the knowledge and systems needed to improve their work.

Improving Programme Quality

Relief International is also looking for someone who can contribute to programme quality improvement initiatives.

The Desk Coordinator will support the development and refinement of tools, templates and standard operating procedures. These resources can help create greater consistency across programmes and provide teams with practical guidance for carrying out their responsibilities.

The position will therefore require analytical and problem-solving abilities. The successful candidate should be able to identify areas where processes can be improved and contribute to practical solutions.

Supporting Donor Engagement

The Desk Coordinator will also help prepare materials that support donor engagement and business development activities.

These may include programme updates, briefing materials, capacity statements and country profiles.

Producing these documents requires strong writing skills and the ability to turn programme information into clear and useful materials for different audiences.

The position will work alongside Resource Development and other teams, meaning collaboration will be important when preparing information for potential donors and partners.

International Field Support

Although much of the role involves coordination and support, the position can also require international travel.

The Desk Coordinator may be deployed to country programmes when additional support is needed. Deployments could involve surge support, capacity strengthening, reporting assistance or assistance during humanitarian crises.

Candidates should therefore be willing and able to travel internationally when required.

Previous experience working in one or more countries within the portfolio would be useful. Experience related to Sudan is particularly desirable, while Arabic and/or French language skills would also be an advantage.

Understanding the Full Programme Cycle

The successful candidate should have a strong understanding of the full programme cycle.

This includes the process from initial programme design and proposal development through implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.

Having this broad understanding will help the Desk Coordinator work effectively with different teams and identify how decisions made at one stage of a project can affect later stages.

Experience in humanitarian or development settings is therefore important for this opportunity.

Education and Professional Background

Applicants should have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in International Development, Humanitarian Studies, Management or another relevant field.

In addition to academic qualifications, candidates should have demonstrated experience in programme development, proposal development and grants management within humanitarian or development environments.

Experience working with institutional donors is also required, particularly donors such as US Government donors, ECHO, AICS and UN agencies.

Candidates with experience working with the European Commission or development-focused donors may have an additional advantage.

Communication and Organizational Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for this role.

The Desk Coordinator will be expected to produce donor-facing documents, contribute to proposals and reports, prepare programme materials and communicate with stakeholders across different countries and departments.

The ability to build consensus among people with different responsibilities and perspectives will also be important.

The position requires excellent attention to detail because donor documentation, grants records and reporting information need to be accurate.

Applicants should also have strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills. They should be capable of managing several priorities under pressure without losing track of important deadlines or programme requirements.

Microsoft Office Skills

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is required.

Candidates should be comfortable working with:

• Microsoft Word

• Microsoft Excel

• Microsoft PowerPoint

• Microsoft SharePoint

These tools will be useful for preparing reports, maintaining information, developing presentations and managing programme documentation.

Who Is This Opportunity For?

The Desk Coordinator position is suited to a development or humanitarian professional who enjoys working across several programmes and collaborating with international teams.

The ideal candidate will combine programme management knowledge with strong writing, grants management and donor compliance abilities. They should also be comfortable working in complex environments where priorities can change quickly.

Experience across the full programme cycle will be important, particularly where the candidate has worked on programme design, proposals, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.

A willingness to travel internationally is also essential because the position may require deployment to country programmes during periods when additional support is needed.

Application Profile

Candidates interested in this opportunity should ensure their application clearly demonstrates their academic background, humanitarian or development experience, donor exposure and programme management skills.

Experience with institutional donors, strong Microsoft Office capabilities, international field experience and knowledge of Arabic or French should also be highlighted where applicable.

The Desk Coordinator role provides an opportunity to contribute to programmes across several countries while working at the intersection of programme development, grants management, donor compliance and programme quality. For professionals with the required background, it offers a broad international role supporting teams working in humanitarian and development settings.

Application

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