Grants Manager

About us

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) is the first and only African-led climate change re-granting organisation on the continent. Through its grant making and thought leadership, the ACF seeks to support interventions at the nexus of climate change and development that have the greatest potential to deliver long-term socio-economic transformation and inclusive development.

Purpose

The Grants Manager will handle the day-to-day administration of assigned grant portfolios, acting as the first point of contact for grantees. This will be an end-to-end function, working closely with Programmes and Finance teams, and will execute the full grant lifecycle scope of programmatic portfolios as well as reporting on outcomes.

The Grants Manager will be adept at managing a project from inception to completion and have an innate ability to prioritise and synthesise information in an analytical and systematic manner.   This role reports to the Head of Grants.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Grants Administration & Management:

• Oversee the full grant lifecycle for assigned programmatic portfolios.
• Coordinate reporting requirements and payment schedules.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of grant payments, amendments, and extensions.
• Maintain grant records in the GivingData system and ensure compliance with internal protocols.

Grantee Relationship Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for grantees, providing guidance on compliance, reporting, and financial management.
• Work closely with program leads to align grants with strategic priorities.
• Address and resolve grantee queries in a timely manner.

Monitoring & Compliance:

• Track grantee performance and reporting obligations.
• Conduct due diligence reviews and escalate compliance concerns when necessary.
• Ensure all grant documentation meets donor and internal compliance requirements.

Financial Management:

• Oversee the timeous and accurate payments of all approved grants and consultancies.
• Work closely with the finance team to manage the processing and tracking of grants/ consultancy payments.
• Work closely with programmes and finance on re-granting budgets.

Internal Coordination & Support:

• Work closely with the finance team to ensure accurate financial tracking of grants.
• Support the Senior Grants Manager (if applicable) in workflow improvements.
• Provide data and insights for board reporting and strategic decision-making.
  

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Social Sciences or Project Management (or similar)
• 5-7 years of work experience in grant making and administration
• Experience working with government entities and non-profit organisations
• Experience with donor and grant making software and databases i.e. Giving Data, Fluxx, and/or SalesForce
• Proficiency in maths, excellent computer skills and advanced Excel skills
• Ability to relate to other staff and foster teamwork
• Ability to organise multiple tasks and manage deadlines
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively
• Ability to implement effective workflow processes and procedures
• Detail oriented and works with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to think critically, act decisively, and integrate program and operational issues
• Able to take initiative, and work according to pace
• High level of self-motivation and drive
• Comfortable working independently as well as part of a team
• Skilled in managing up and across and building resilient collegial relationships
• Ability to objectively analyse a situation and evaluate pros and cons of any course of action
• Personal qualities of integrity, honesty, and discretion

Start date: Position available immediately

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable based on mutual agreement)

Location: Africa-based, with a time zone no more than 1 hour ahead or behind South Africa (UTC+2)

Application closing date: 30 April 2025                                            

For further information about the ACF, visit www.africanclimatefoundation.org

Should you not hear back from us by 30 June 2025, please consider your application to be unsuccessful.

 
The ACF strives to be an equitable organisation with a team which reflects the diversity of Africa. 

 
In compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), The ACF assures all applicants that any personal information provided during the recruitment process will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for recruitment purposes. Your privacy and data security are of paramount importance to us. By applying for this position, you consent to the collection, processing, and storage of your personal information for recruitment-related activities only. The ACF is committed to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining the trust you place in us.