Subgrant Program Manager

Job Title: Subgrant Program Manager

Contract Type: Fixed-term contract until December 31, 2027, consultancy service agreement (PE 3rd group)

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine 

Reports to: Project Manager 

Start Date: As soon as possible, 1 March 2026

Deadline: 22 February 2026 - Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

ABOUT IWPR:

The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an international non-profit organisation founded in 1991, with charitable status in the US, UK and the Netherlands. We give voice to people at the frontlines of conflict, crisis and transition to help them drive change and build more stable, just and inclusive societies.

Drawing on three decades of experience in some of the world’s most challenging environments, we support media, civil society, democracy and governance, gender, and youth-focused projects in over 30 countries – promoting reliable information and responsible public debate and removing barriers to freedom of expression.

Our work includes:

• Training and mentoring: IWPR trains and mentor journalists and rights activists to improve 
  their ability to identify and present factual information;
• Providing platforms: IWPR helps local talent establish and strengthen media outlets and 
  civic groups;
• Removing barriers: IWPR works with partners to remove barriers to free expression and 
  citizen engagement;
• Strengthening media and civil society: IWPR helps strengthen the ability of media and civil 
  society to speak out;
• Empowering societies: IWPR helps societies find their own solutions;

IWPR’s reporting has exposed violations, led to political and legal reform, and improved people’s 
lives.

PROJECT SUMMARY:

IWPR has been active in Ukraine since the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, initially responding to the 
need for more balanced conflict reporting and journalists' safety and security skills. Programming 
later focused on support to a range of anti-corruption and government accountability initiatives 
fostering capacity building and collaboration between civil society and the media.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, IWPR has expanded its existing 
programming, to include support to media and civil society organisations in areas of countering 
disinformation, documenting war crimes, frontline reporting, as well as media emergency support 
and capacity building of investigative journalism centres.

In January 2025, IWPR started the new three-year “Boosting Citizens Watchdogs in Ukraine”, 
supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). The project aims at 
strengthening capacity of civil society watchdog organisations and independent investigative media 
across the country to enhance their ability to conduct public monitoring and oversight of the 
transparent and efficient management of public resources, and to foster effective advocacy for 
transparency and accountability in governance, ensure high-quality public information, and 
encourage meaningful civic engagement in decision-making processes. 

JOB SUMMARY:

IWPR is seeking a Ukrainian-based professional to fill the Program Subgrant Manager position for 
the “Boosting Citizens Watchdogs in Ukraine” project funded through Norad. The Program 
Subgrant Manager will technically oversee grant programmatic management of the designated 
subawards; they will justify and prepare local grant agreements, due diligence and vetting 
procedures, monitor grantees’ narrative and financial reports, collect monitoring data and interact 
with Program MEL Officer, coordinate engagement of subgrantees into capacity building events 

IWPR anticipates funding of five larger national subawards and over 40 small subgrants across 
Ukraine per year. A part of small subgrants will cover capacity building needs and be accompanied 
by mentoring and training interventions.

Overall, three Program Subgrant Managers serve as the primary points of contact for subgrant 
partners from solicitation to close of award. They will track subgrantee progress for contribution to 
larger reports and assist subgrantees in articulating specific impacts of their programming.
The subgrant managers closely interact with the Monitoring & Evaluation Officer and Program 
Coordinator. Candidates should have demonstrated subgrant management experience, and deep 
knowledge of civil society organizations and media in Ukraine. Previous experience in donor-funded 
development projects is required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

For IWPR's Norad-funded Boosting Citizens Watchdogs in Ukraine project (UKR/24-043) the 
Consultant shall technically oversee grant programmatic management of the designated subawards 
and serve as the primary point of contact for subgrant partners from solicitation to close of award; 
justify and prepare local grant agreements, due diligence and vetting procedures, monitor grantees’ 
narrative and financial reports, coordinate engagement of subgrantees into capacity building events 
and mentoring, coordinate grants instalments with finance, collect monitoring data and interact with 

Program MEL Officer, track subgrantee progress for contribution to larger reports and assist 
subgrantees in articulating specific impacts of their programming, including the following functions:

• Contribute to design and adaptation of the project sub-granting and capacity building 
  activities, advising respective supervisor on potential adjustments of actions and 
  procedures in light of changing requirements, issues, risks and needs
• Map potential project counterparts in Ukraine and develop effective working relationships 
  with project partners and stakeholders. Provide interaction and coordination with the 
  projects current and potential subgrantees and partners
• Carrying out training and capacity building needs analysis for targeted organisations and 
  individuals
• Ensure the delivery of project outputs and compliance with approved annual activity plans
• Develop or adapt subgrant agreements and annexes, program and finance reporting 
  templates, indicator tables and other forms for subgrants
• Provide full-cycle oversight of programmatic and financial management of grants from 
  solicitation to close out
• Manage the subgrant selection process, including determining call priorities and selection 
  criteria in coordination with the program team, managing jury members, guiding the 
  review process of applications for funding under solicitation rounds, and execute preaward procedures with the selected subgrantees
• Administer subawards, monitor program deliverables and outputs, maintain a grant 
  tracking system to ensure compliance and correct execution of all grant agreements
• Maintain updated subgrant files and a centralised portfolio of all active and closed grants
• Review reports by grantees against the local legislation, IWPR and donor requirements, 
  consult them on correct budgeting, accounting, reporting and the required supporting 
  documentation, approve financial reports towards budgets and reported activities upon 
  verification by finance officers, and coordinate subgrants’ instalments
• Perform training webinars, consultations, site visits and audits as needed to assist subgrant 
  partners in financial management and reporting, ensuring compliance with relevant USG 
  and IWPR policies
• Monitor grantees’ programmatic performance in accordance with MEL systems, objectives 
  and indicators already set up. Gather information and preparing reports for program MEL 
  procedures
• Draft, edit and contribute to programmatic reporting, analytical reports on the activity 
  impact and progress
• Provide high quality drafting, editing and/or translation of correspondence, reports, and 
  communication materials, including fact sheets, press releases, success stories, brochures 
  contributing to the project outreach and communication activities. Compile materials for 
  social media and IWPR’s global website when required
• Represent IWPR at meetings, workshops, and other events. Coordinate activities with other 
  implementers, stakeholders, and institutions

CORE REQUIREMENTS

• University degree in related fields
• Fluent or upper intermediate English, fluent Ukrainian
• At least 3 years of management experience in international donor funded projects including 
  administration of subgrants delivery and donor reporting preferably in areas of civil society 
  and media development
• Strong understanding and knowledge of international donors’ rules and requirements as well 
  as third-party funding regulations, systems and procedures on grants management and 
  subcontracting. Working knowledge of grant administration and donor reporting is required
• Ability to analyse subgrant budgets and review financial reports towards them
• Strong understanding and knowledge of media and civil society landscape is an asset
• Experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activities in international projects or 
  Ukrainian NGOs is an asset
• Experience in development and capacity building programs, anticorruption or government 
  accountability projects, media and/or civil society sectors is preferred

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Excellent analytical skills, thoroughness, accuracy with numbers;
• Exceptional report writing and editing skills;
• Excellent presentation skills and strong ability to communicate clearly and concisely;
• Advanced computer literacy in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and experience in handling 
  web-based management and communication systems;
• Proactive and reliable problem solver with a high level of attention to detail;
• Excellent data management/filing organization skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate effective discussions and 
  maintain productive relationships with a broad and diverse group of colleagues, donors and 
  partners.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures;
• Ability to work both independently, with limited supervision, and as an effective team 
  member;
• Integrity and high degree of responsibility in handling donor funding;
• Willingness and ability to travel across Ukraine (up to 10% of the time, security permitting).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and IWPR reserves the right to fill the position before the closing date; early applications are therefore strongly encouraged, and interviews may be conducted prior to the deadline. IWPR will offer a competitive salary to the successful applicant.

Principals only. No calls please. Only those who have been considered for an interview will be contacted.

IWPR is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, veteran status or pregnancy and maternity. IWPR will never ask for payment for recruitment.