Anindya Mani

1. Grant Proposal Development:

Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and staff to guide the development of competitive grant proposals and ensure it meets school policies and funding agency guidelines. Provide oversight and guidance on proposal structure, budget preparation, and submission processes and ensure clarity accuracy and compliance with funding agency requirements.
Oversee timely and accurate submission of grant applications

2. Grant administration

Serve as the primary contact for funding agencies and institutional stakeholders regarding grant-related matters.
Supervise post-award processes including budget modifications, reporting, and compliance with grant terms and conditions by periodical audit and reporting it to the Dean F&R.
Facilitate effective communication between researchers, administrators, and funding agencies to ensure smooth grant operations.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders like Finance & legal functions and RCIs in effective record keeping and data management.


3. Funding Opportunity Identification:

Oversee, identify and maintain a comprehensive database of grant opportunities from government agencies, private foundations, and corporate sponsors that align with the school’s strategic goals and RCI’s capabilities.

4. Training and Capacity Building:

Organize workshops and training sessions for faculty and staff on grant seeking, grant writing, budget preparation, and compliance requirements.

5. Monitoring and Reporting:

Track the status of grant applications and awarded projects and provide regular reports on the progress and outcomes of grants to the school’s leadership.

6. Strategic Planning:

Contribute to the development and implementation of the institution’s strategic plan for research and external funding.

7. Continuous Process improvement:

Ensure periodically the processes are revisited and continuously improved. Explore use of technology to make the process administration seamless.
Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in administration preferred.
• Substantial experience in grant administration, compliance, writing proposals, preferably in a higher education setting.
• In-depth knowledge of the guidelines and compliance requirements of various domestic and international funding agencies and the associated regulatory requirements.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously in a multistakeholder environment.
• A keen eye for detail with strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in any grant management software and databases will be preferable.

Financial Management

· Budgeting & Forecasting - Overseeing financial planning and forecasting for both internal and grant-related budgets.

· Financial Reporting - Ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting for the organization and grant funders.

· Cost Control & Analysis - Focusing on managing and reducing costs effectively, ensuring fund allocation is optimal.

· Financial Planning & Strategy - Developing and implementing financial strategies aligned with organizational and grant objectives.

Grant Management

· Grant & Proposal Development - Preparing grant applications, ensuring alignment with funding priorities, preparation of financial value analysis.

· Grant Compliance & Reporting - Adherence to grant terms and conditions, including timely and accurate reporting.

· Donor Relations & Stewardship - Managing relationships with grantor, ensuring transparency in fund utilization.

· Fund Allocation & Disbursement - Oversees the allocation and disbursement of grant funds, ensuring compliance with budgetary restrictions.

Accounting

· FCRA – Deep understanding of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), thereby ensuring compliance during implementation of projects

· GAAP/IFRS Knowledge - Strong understanding of accounting principles and standards, particularly as they apply to grant management.

· Audit Management (Internal & External) - Manages internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with both organizational policies and grantor requirements.

· Taxation & Compliance - Ensures compliance with tax laws and regulations, particularly as they relate to grant funds.

Leadership & Management

· Team Leadership - Leads and mentors the finance and grants management teams.

· Strategic Thinking - Provides strategic insights to support both organizational and grant-related financial decisions.

· Decision-Making - Making data derived and timely financial decisions, particularly in the context of grant management.

· Stakeholder Management - Managing relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, funders, and internal teams.

Technical Skills

· Financial Software (e.g., ERP Systems, Grant Management Systems) - Proficient in using financial and grant management software, have worked on multiple platforms like Zoho, Salesforce, FLUXX.

· Excel & Financial Modelling - Advanced skills in financial modeling and data analysis, particularly for grant budgets.

· Data Analysis & Interpretation - Ability to analyze complex financial data related to both organizational finances and grants.

Risk Management

· Risk Assessment & Mitigation - Identifying and mitigating financial and grant-related risks.

· Regulatory Compliance - Ensures adherence to financial and grant-related regulations.

Communication

· Report Writing - Prepares clear and concise financial and grant reports.

· Presentation Skills - Presents financial and grant-related information to stakeholders.

· Negotiation - Negotiates contracts and financial terms, particularly with grant funders.

Industry Knowledge

· Grant Funding Trends & Opportunities - Keeps updated on trends in grant funding and identifies new opportunities for the organization.

· Sector-Specific Regulations - Understanding of industry-specific financial regulations, particularly as they pertain to grants.

Ethics & Integrity

· Ethical Financial Practices - Upholds the highest standards of financial integrity and ethics, especially in managing grant funds.

Grant Management

· Crafting and submitting successful grant applications - e.g. financial narratives and value analysis

· Ensuring adherence to grant terms and conditions

· Preparing accurate and timely reports for donors

· Developing and managing budgets specifically for grants

Financial Management

· Ability to create and manage budgets, forecast financial needs

· Preparing and presenting financial reports, understanding of GAAP

· Monitoring and managing costs effectively

Software & Tools

· Using software for tracking and managing grants

· Advanced use of Excel for financial analysis and reporting

• Ensured compliance with donor guidelines, minimizing errors in reporting and enhancing the organization''s reputation.
• Increased funding opportunities by researching and identifying new grant sources, expanding organization's financial resources.
• Monitored grant expenditures against budgets, ensuring funds were utilized appropriately and within scope of funded projects.
• Coordinated with program managers to ensure grant-funded projects aligned with organizational goals and funder expectations.
• Monitored project timelines closely, ensuring timely completion of tasks to meet donor deadlines.
• Streamlined grant application processes by implementing efficient tracking systems and organized databases.

1. Grant Proposal Development:

Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and staff to guide the development of competitive grant proposals and ensure it meets school policies and funding agency guidelines. Provide oversight and guidance on proposal structure, budget preparation, and submission processes and ensure clarity accuracy and compliance with funding agency requirements.
Oversee timely and accurate submission of grant applications

2. Grant administration

Serve as the primary contact for funding agencies and institutional stakeholders regarding grant-related matters.
Supervise post-award processes including budget modifications, reporting, and compliance with grant terms and conditions by periodical audit and reporting it to the Dean F&R.
Facilitate effective communication between researchers, administrators, and funding agencies to ensure smooth grant operations.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders like Finance & legal functions and RCIs in effective record keeping and data management.


3. Funding Opportunity Identification:

Oversee, identify and maintain a comprehensive database of grant opportunities from government agencies, private foundations, and corporate sponsors that align with the school’s strategic goals and RCI’s capabilities.

4. Training and Capacity Building:

Organize workshops and training sessions for faculty and staff on grant seeking, grant writing, budget preparation, and compliance requirements.

5. Monitoring and Reporting:

Track the status of grant applications and awarded projects and provide regular reports on the progress and outcomes of grants to the school’s leadership.

6. Strategic Planning:

Contribute to the development and implementation of the institution’s strategic plan for research and external funding.

7. Continuous Process improvement:

Ensure periodically the processes are revisited and continuously improved. Explore use of technology to make the process administration seamless.
Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in administration preferred.
• Substantial experience in grant administration, compliance, writing proposals, preferably in a higher education setting.
• In-depth knowledge of the guidelines and compliance requirements of various domestic and international funding agencies and the associated regulatory requirements.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously in a multistakeholder environment.
• A keen eye for detail with strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in any grant management software and databases will be preferable.

• Collaborated with marketing team to effectively promote fundraising initiatives, resulting in higher participation rates.
• Evaluated existing fundraising programs, identifying opportunities for improvement and growth within each initiative.
• Coordinated volunteer involvement in fundraising efforts, leading to greater community support and increased donations.

• Designed and executed fundraising campaigns.
• Identified CSR opportunities in the region.
• Presented at donor meetings and events.
• Analyzed donor trends and preferences, allowing for more targeted outreach strategies to maximize fundraising success.
• Increased donor engagement by implementing targeted fundraising campaigns and events.
• Implemented comprehensive donor database management system, improving donor retention and tracking capabilities.