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About AFIDEP

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Our primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. For further details, visit www.afidep.org.

About the Project

AFIDEP is implementing a three-year initiative to generate policy-relevant evidence on how governments, private sector actors, civil society organisations and communities can strengthen economic integration for migrant and displaced youth in East and West Africa. The project combines mixed-methods research, policy engagement, capacity strengthening and regional learning.

Role Overview

AFIDEP is seeking an experienced Research and Policy professional to coordinate and lead the day-to-day technical implementation of the Inclusive Economic Integration for Migrant and Displaced African Youthproject. The Project Manager will be responsible for delivering project research, coordinating partners and country teams, supporting policy engagement, supervising project outputs, and ensuring timely implementation of approved work plans and milestones.

The successful candidate will have a combination of strong applied research skills, practical project coordination, and evidence-to-policy experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Applied Research Delivery

• Research Design: Coordinate development of research protocols, survey instruments, qualitative tools, sampling plans and analytical frameworks.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Lead or support mixed-methods data collection, analysis and synthesis in collaboration with the technical team.
• Fieldwork Supervision: Supervise fieldwork preparation, enumerator training, data-quality checks and documentation.
• Ethics & Compliance: Ensure compliance with approved ethics, safeguarding and data-protection procedures.
• Reporting & Publications: Draft and coordinate technical reports, country analyses, comparative studies and manuscripts

2. Coordinate Project Implementation

• Workplan Coordination: Coordinate day-to-day implementation of the approved project workplan and deliverables schedule.
• Planning & Tracking: Develop detailed activity plans, implementation trackers and inputs for annual workplans and budgets.
• Team & Partner Coordination: Coordinate staff, partners, consultants and country-level collaborators.
• Risk Monitoring: Monitor progress, risks and dependencies and escalate strategic or material issues to the leadership.
• Meeting Management: Organise project management, technical and partner meetings and maintain action trackers.

3. Support Policy Engagement & Evidence Uptake

• Engagement Strategy: Work with the project team to implement the policy engagement and evidence uptake strategy.
• Policy Materials: Develop stakeholder maps, policy briefs, technical presentations and briefing materials.
• Stakeholder Convening: Coordinate consultations, validation workshops, policy dialogues and regional learning activities.
• Stakeholder Relations: Maintain relationships with technical officers, implementing partners, youth organisations and other project stakeholders.
• Evidence Tracking: Track evidence use, policy influence, stakeholder commitments and follow-up actions.

4. Manage Monitoring, Learning & Reporting

• Monitoring Data: Maintain project monitoring data and coordinate routine reporting against indicators, milestones and deliverables.
• Donor Reporting: Develop quarterly, annual and donor narrative reports for review
• Learning & Adaptation: Support annual learning reviews, outcome harvesting and adaptive management processes.
• Documentation: Document implementation lessons, challenges, decisions and corrective actions.
• Reporting Coordination: Coordinate inputs from partners and project staff to ensure complete and timely reporting.

5. Contribute to Knowledge Products & Communications

• Knowledge Products: Develop policy briefs, research summaries, practice notes, presentations and other knowledge products.
• Communications Packaging: Work with AFIDEP communications colleagues to package findings for policy and public audiences.
• Representation: Present project work at technical meetings and selected conferences, as delegated.
• Dissemination: Support publication planning, peer review and dissemination of project outputs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• PhD in Migration Studies, Development Studies, Public Policy, Demography, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, International Development, Population Studies, Labour Economics or a closely related social science discipline.
• Demonstrated training in quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research.
• At least five years of relevant post-PhD or equivalent progressively responsible experience in applied research, policy analysis or research programme implementation.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating a substantial research or policy project, preferably involving multiple partners or countries.
• Experience in at least one relevant area, such as migration and displacement, refugee inclusion, labour mobility, youth employment, livelihoods, economic inclusion, human capital development or public policy.
• Practical experience developing research protocols and tools, coordinating data collection, analysing evidence and preparing high-quality reports.
• Experience engaging government technical officers, civil society, development partners, research organisations or regional stakeholders.
• Evidence of translating research into policy briefs, presentations, recommendations or stakeholder engagement products.
• Experience contributing to donor-funded project workplans, budgets, monitoring and narrative reporting.
• A record of relevant peer-reviewed publications, technical reports or policy products.

Desirable

• Migration & Displacement Expertise: Research or programme experience relating directly to migration governance, forced displacement, refugee policy or labour mobility in Africa.
• Regional Experience: Experience working across more than one African country or with regional policy institutions.
• Language Skills: Working knowledge of French or another language relevant to the project contexts.
• Evidence Uptake: Experience with evidence uptake, outcome harvesting or policy-influence tracking.

Skills and Competencies

The following competencies are integral to success in this role:

• Applied Research & Analysis: Strong applied research, analytical and synthesis skills.
• Project Coordination: Effective project coordination, planning and follow-through.
• Communication: Excellent written and spoken English, including strong technical and policy writing; ability to communicate research clearly to policy and non-technical audiences.
• Facilitation & Stakeholder Management: Strong facilitation, presentation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively under senior leadership and across multidisciplinary, multicultural teams.
• Judgement & Attention to Detail: Sound judgement, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Research Ethics: Understanding of research ethics, safeguarding and data protection.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with relevant research, data-analysis and project-management tools.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, detailed CV, and the names and contact details of three professional referees to  Recruitment@afidep.org with the subject line “Project Manager – Migration” by 18 September 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

AFIDEP is an equal opportunity employer.

Click here to download hob description

About AFIDEP

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Our primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. For further details, visit www.afidep.org.

Role Overview

AFIDEP is seeking to recruit a dynamic and experienced Communications and Policy Engagement (CPE) Officer to support the design and implementation of the Institute’s policy engagement, branding and communications strategies. The role will contribute to strengthening AFIDEP’s visibility, profile and influence as a leading regional research and policy institute, while promoting the effective communication and uptake of research evidence to inform development policy and practice across Africa.

Key Responsibilities

1. Content & Publications

• Institutional Publications: Manage the development of, and write content for, institutional publications such as the annual report, newsletters and African Development Perspectives, as well as the website and social media platforms.
• Knowledge Translation: Facilitate engagement with policymakers and support research staff in translating and packaging evidence into policy-oriented and general-reading outputs, including policy briefs, infographics, factsheets, video/animation scripts, blogs, media releases, media kits, Op-Eds, explainer videos, podcasts and photo-stories.

2. Research & Policy Communications:

• Support the development of communications materials that translate AFIDEP’s research, policy positions and technical work into clear and accessible content for different audiences.
• Policy Engagement Support: Support the communication and documentation of policy dialogues, consultations and other engagements, including preparing event materials, capturing key messages and developing post -event communications.
• Reporting & Content Development: Contribute to institutional, programme and donor reporting by providing relevant communications inputs, including highlights, success stories, media coverage, visibility activities and other communications outputs

3. Media & Public Engagement

• Media Relations: Establish and sustain links and contacts with journalists and media houses to ensure visibility of AFIDEP’s work in the media.
• Capacity Building: Contribute to building the communications and evidence-informed decision-making capacity of AFIDEP staff, other researchers, policymakers and journalists.

4. Digital & Social Media

• Social Media Management: Contribute to managing AFIDEP’s social media platforms (Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube), ensuring regular, high-quality content sharing our work, and stay abreast of emerging social media platforms, digital tools, and content formats to extend the reach and impact of AFIDEP’s work.
• Website Management: Contribute to managing the AFIDEP website, ensuring that web content related to our programmes is well presented and up to date, including developing content for the website.

5. Knowledge Resources

• Library & Information Management: Support the development and management of AFIDEP’s library and information resources, both physical and digital.

6. Event Management

• Ability to plan, coordinate and deliver successful events, meetings and conferences, including logistics, stakeholder coordination and on-the-ground execution.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Communications, Media, International Relations or a related field.
• At least five (5) years’ experience in science and development communications.
• Excellent and demonstrable writing and technical editing skills, especially for policy-oriented publications and media products.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking/verbal communication skills.
• Technical skills in publications design, website management, and social media platforms.
• Experience translating and communicating research to non-scientific audiences, such as the media and the public.
• Knowledge of the African context and how this influences decision-making in health, population and development, education, environment and climate change, and governance.
• Knowledge of current global issues and debates in development policy and international development politics.

Competencies

• Writing & Content Development: Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, compelling and accurate content tailored to different audiences and platforms.
• Networking & Relationship-Building: Ability to negotiate, network and form credible relationships within the organisation and with senior decision-makers in external institutions.
• Representation & Credibility: A skilled communicator, able to dialogue effectively with a wide range of audiences and represent the organisation with authority and credibility to the outside world, including the media.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should include:

• A motivation letter indicating your suitability for the position.
• A detailed CV, including three relevant referees.

Please send your application, with the position title “Communications, Policy and Engagement Officer” in the email subject, to Recruitment@afidep.org no later than 25 September 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

AFIDEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Click here to download job description

About AFIDEP

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Our primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. For further details, visit www.afidep.org.

About the Role

AFIDEP seeks a motivated and experienced candidate to fill the position of Resource Mobilisation Officer within the Institute’s Business Development Unit. The Unit leads the implementation of AFIDEP’s Resource Mobilisation Strategy, driving strategic opportunity identification, donor engagement, partnership development and positioning of the Institute to secure sustainable and diversified funding. The Resource Mobilisation Officer will work with the Business Development team and technical and support functions across the Institute.

The Resource Mobilisation Officer will directly support the coordination and delivery of institutional resource mobilisation efforts, including mapping opportunities for strategic partnerships, coordinating engagement with potential funders and partners, coordinating and contributing to proposal development, contributing to the continuous improvement of the Department’s strategies, processes and procedures, supporting monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and contributing to institutional brand-building activities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning & Opportunity Mapping

• Contribute to strategic planning to implement the Business Development Department’s work plan.
• Research and identify potential funders and update the historical maps in the Microsoft Fundraising and Engagement application and other tools.
• Scan for relevant calls for proposals and concept notes and generate summaries for quick decision-making.

2. Partnership & Funder Engagement

• Support the establishment and maintenance of collaborative relationships with the Institute’s partners — including research organisations, academia, government, media and civil society — to optimise proposal development and project implementation and enhance the AFIDEP brand.
• Support engagement with funders and partners.
• Populate partnership assessment and due diligence documentation.

3. Proposal Development Support

• Support proposal development, including background research, collating project and organisational information, and customising biographies and curricula vitae to specific calls.
• Support registration to funders’ and partners’ online proposal submission platforms.

4. Events, Monitoring & Reporting

• Support the planning of, and participate in, events and meetings relevant to resource mobilisation and partnership-building.
• Support monitoring of the Department’s impact and reporting.
• Undertake other miscellaneous tasks as required.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should have:

• A Master’s degree in international development, social sciences, humanities, communications, business development, or another relevant discipline.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilisation, business development, proposal development, grants management, donor reporting, strategic communications, or a related field, preferably within an international development or research organisation.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the funding regulations, compliance requirements, and priorities of major bilateral and multilateral donors, research funders, foundations and philanthropic organisations.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify, gather, synthesise and translate complex information and evidence into compelling proposals, concept notes, donor reports and other resource mobilisation materials.
• Demonstrable experience in planning, coordinating and delivering strategic events, stakeholder engagements, donor meetings or similar institutional positioning initiatives.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively to different audiences.

Competencies

• Interpersonal and Relationship Management: Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse internal teams, donors, partners and other external stakeholders.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, persuasively and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Planning and Organisation: Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate complex processes and consistently deliver high-quality work within tight deadlines.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural and cross-functional environment, fostering collaboration across teams and organisational functions.
• Initiative and Proactivity: A proactive and results-oriented approach, with the ability to identify opportunities and take initiative

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, detailed CV, and the names and contact details of three professional referees to Recruitment@afidep.org with the subject line “Resource Mobilisation Officer” by 25 September 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

AFIDEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Click here to download job description

About AFIDEP

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Our primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. For further details, visit www.afidep.org.

Role Overview

AFIDEP is seeking to recruit an experienced Head of Finance and Operations (HoFO) to join its Senior Management Team. The HoFO is a critical leadership role responsible for the financial health, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance of the Institute across all its country offices and programmes.

The successful candidate will be a strategic, results-oriented leader who combines deep technical expertise in finance and accounting with the ability to manage diverse operational functions — including administration, procurement, ICT, and facilities — and to lead and develop a multifunctional team. The HoFO will serve as the Institute’s primary financial steward, ensuring that resources are managed with rigour, transparency, and accountability to donors, the Board, and the communities AFIDEP serves.

This is a senior leadership role. Candidates must demonstrate both the strategic vision to drive institutional financial planning and the operational rigour to ensure robust systems, controls, and compliance across a complex, multi-donor, multi-currency environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Financial Leadership

• Institutional Financial Strategy: Contribute to the development of AFIDEP’s institutional strategic plans, translating organisational priorities into multi-year financial plans and resource frameworks.
• Annual Planning & Budgeting: Lead the annual institutional planning and budgeting process, including financial resource allocation, cash flow projections, and cost recovery planning across all projects and country offices.
• Resource Mobilisation Support: Contribute to institutional resource mobilisation efforts by developing budgets for new grant proposals, reviewing donor agreements for financial feasibility, and advising on cost structures and indirect cost recovery rates.
• Financial Performance Oversight: Monitor and report on financial performance against approved plans and budgets; provide the Executive Director and Senior Management Team with timely, actionable financial analysis and risk insights.
• Policy development and implementation oversight: Lead the development, review and execution of financial management, grant management, cost allocation, procurement, and related policies for input by the Senior Management Team and approval by the Board.

2. Financial Management & Reporting

• Finance & Accounting Operations: Oversee all finance and accounting functions, including general ledger management, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close processes.
• Treasury & Cash Management: Manage treasury operations including foreign currency management, banking relationships, investment of institutional reserves, and maintenance of adequate liquidity across all country offices.
• Financial Reporting: Ensure the preparation and timely submission of accurate financial reports for the Board, Executive Director, donors, and statutory authorities, in compliance with applicable accounting standards (IFRS) and donor requirements.
• Board & Audit Committee Engagement: Present financial reports, budget updates, and risk assessments to the Board and Finance/Audit Committee on a regular basis; serve as a trusted financial adviser to Board-level governance structures.
• External Audits: Coordinate and manage the annual external audit process, maintaining audit-readiness throughout the year and implementing audit recommendations in a timely manner.
• Payroll & Tax Compliance: Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing and compliance with statutory deductions, tax obligations, and labour law requirements in Kenya and Malawi, and any other jurisdictions where AFIDEP operates.

3. Grants & Donor Compliance

• Grants Management: Provide oversight of the full grants management lifecycle — from award acceptance and budget activation through expenditure tracking, financial reporting, and grant close-out — ensuring strict adherence to donor-specific financial requirements.
• Donor Compliance: Extensive experience managing finances in a complex multi-donor environment, with knowledge of the requirements of bilateral, multilateral and private foundation donors.
• Sub-Grantee Management: Oversee financial due diligence, contracting, monitoring, and capacity building for sub-grantees and implementing partners.
• Donor & Partner Relations: Maintain strong, trust-based financial relationships with donors and partners, managing financial queries, facilitating donor financial reviews, and proactively communicating on budget variances or compliance matters.

4. Risk Management & Internal Controls

• Internal Control Environment: Design, implement, and continuously improve financial and operational internal controls to safeguard institutional assets, prevent fraud and conflict of interest, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, laws, and regulations.
• Asset Management: Maintain an accurate and up-to-date institutional asset register; ensure appropriate insurance coverage for all institutional assets and operations.
• Risk Management: Lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of financial and operational risks; maintain the institutional risk register and report risk status to the Senior Management Team and Board.
• Audit & Compliance Oversight: Provide administrative line management to the Audit and Compliance Officer, supporting the effective functioning of the internal audit function while safeguarding its independence. Ensure timely implementation of internal audit recommendations.

5. Operations Management

• Administration & Facilities: Provide strategic oversight of institutional administration, including facilities management, office operations, lease agreements, and vendor contracts across all AFIDEP offices.
• Procurement: Ensure the development and consistent application of transparent, value-for-money procurement policies and procedures, including supplier prequalification, tendering, and contract management.
• ICT Governance: Oversee AFIDEP’s ICT infrastructure and systems, ensuring that technology investments support institutional effectiveness, data security, and business continuity.
• Policy and Systems Development: Lead the continuous development, refinement, and upgrading of financial and operational management policies and systems to ensure robust, efficient, and audit-ready institutional infrastructure.

6. Team Leadership & Development

• Team Management: Recruit, lead, mentor, and develop the Finance and Operations team across all AFIDEP locations, fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and learning-oriented culture.
• Capacity Building: Build the financial management and operational capacity of non-finance staff across the Institute, ensuring that programme teams understand and adhere to financial and compliance requirements.
• Succession & Continuity: Identify and develop internal talent to ensure continuity of key finance and operations functions and build organisational resilience.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Education: A Master’s degree and Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field from a recognised university.
• Professional Certification: A full, current professional accounting qualification is mandatory — CPA, ACA, ACCA, ACMA, CFA, or equivalent.
• Professional Membership: Current membership in good standing with a recognised professional accountancy body (e.g. ICPAK in Kenya, ICAM in Malawi, ACCA, ICAEW, or equivalent).
• Senior Experience: A minimum of 10 years’ progressive professional experience in finance and operations, with at least 5 years in a senior, multifunctional leadership role — preferably as Head of Finance, Director of Finance and Operations, or equivalent — within an international NGO, research organisation, or development institution.
• Multi-Donor Environment: Extensive experience managing finances in a multi-donor environment, with demonstrated hands-on familiarity with the financial regulations and compliance requirements of major international development
• Multi-Country & Multi-Currency: Demonstrated experience managing financial operations across multiple country offices and currencies, including foreign exchange risk management and consolidated multi-currency reporting.
• People Leadership: Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop high-performing, multifunctional teams; experience building team capacity and managing staff across geographically dispersed locations.
• Financial Systems: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or a comparable ERP system, Microsoft Excel and financial modelling. Experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools would be an advantage.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of statutory and regulatory environments in Kenya and/or Malawi, including NGO governance requirements, tax compliance, labour law, and relevant financial reporting obligations.
• Board-Level Communication: Demonstrated ability to prepare and present complex financial information clearly and confidently to Board members, donors, and non-financial stakeholders.

Desirable

• Audit Management: Experience managing internal and external audit processes, including donor financial reviews and statutory audits in multiple jurisdictions.
• ICT Governance: Experience providing strategic oversight of institutional ICT infrastructure, systems security, and digital transformation initiatives.
• HR Administration: Familiarity with HR administration, compensation and benefits management, and employment law compliance in East or Southern Africa.
• Grant Management Systems: Experience with grants management platforms such as Salesforce, Fluxx, or similar tools.
• Procurement Systems: Experience establishing or strengthening institutional procurement policies and supply chain management in an NGO context.

Competencies

The following competencies are integral to success in this role:

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to think and plan strategically across a complex, multi-function portfolio; translate institutional strategy into operational and financial plans.
• Financial Acumen: Deep technical mastery of financial management, accounting standards, and donor compliance requirements; ability to identify financial risks and develop practical solutions.
• People Management: Commitment to developing others; ability to build cohesive, high-performing teams across functions and geographies, and to manage performance constructively.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present complex financial and operational information clearly to diverse audiences, including Boards, donors, and programme colleagues.
• Integrity & Accountability: The highest standards of personal and professional ethics; a visible champion for financial transparency and institutional accountability.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities; ability to diagnose complex operational and financial challenges and design pragmatic, sustainable solutions.
• Relationship Management: Ability to build and maintain effective, trust-based relationships with donors, partners, auditors, and internal stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment; able to manage competing priorities and adapt approaches in response to evolving organisational needs.

Working Conditions

The position will be based either in Lilongwe, Malawi or Nairobi, Kenya. Given its institute-wide mandate, the role requires regular travel to AFIDEP’s other country offices and project sites across Africa. Travel is estimated at up to 20–25% of working time. A valid travel document and willingness and ability to travel are essential requirements of the role.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following to recruitment@afidep.org no later than 11 September 2026:

• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) clearly articulating your suitability for the role, with specific reference to your experience in multi-donor financial management, team leadership, and operational oversight in an international NGO or research organisation context.
• A detailed curriculum vitae including three professional referees with current contact details.

Please state “Head of Finance and Operations” in the subject line of your email. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged.

AFIDEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. AFIDEP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Click here to download job description

About AFIDEP

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Our primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. For further details, visit www.afidep.org.

Role Overview

AFIDEP is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Grants Manager to lead the effective management of the Institute’s grants portfolio, from pre-award due diligence through to award close-out. The Grants Manager will work closely with the Finance and Programmes teams to ensure that all grants are managed in full compliance with donor requirements and AFIDEP’s policies. He/she will play a key role in strengthening the Institute’s systems for grants and sub-grants management.

The successful candidate will be a meticulous, results-oriented professional who combines deep technical expertise in grants and contracts management with strong donor compliance knowledge.  The Grants Manager will serve as a key link between AFIDEP and its donors, ensuring that grants are managed with rigour, transparency, and accountability to donors, the Board, and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Grants Strategy

• Grants Portfolio Planning: Contribute to institutional planning by tracking the grants pipeline, funding gaps and renewal timelines across all projects and country offices.
• Proposal Budgeting: Develop and review budgets and budget narratives for new funding proposals, in collaboration with programme teams.
• Financial Feasibility Review: Review donor solicitations and draft agreements to assess financial feasibility, flag unfavourable terms, and advise on cost structures and indirect cost recovery rates.
• Cost Recovery Planning: Support the application of AFIDEP’s cost allocation and indirect cost recovery methodology across new and existing grants.

2. Grants & Donor Compliance Management

• Award Set-up & Activation: Lead the review and activation of new awards, ensuring donor terms and conditions are understood and translated into internal budgets and compliance checklists.
• Donor Compliance: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the compliance requirements of bilateral, multilateral and private foundation donors, and ensure grant implementation adheres to these at all times.
• Grant Close-out: Coordinate timely and compliant close-out of completed awards, including final financial reporting, asset disposition and documentation archiving.
• Donor & Partner Relations: Serve as a key point of contact for donors on grants administration matters, managing financial queries and facilitating donor financial reviews.

3. Financial Monitoring & Reporting

• Budget Monitoring: Track grant expenditure against approved budgets, flag variances, and work with project teams to ensure spending remains on track and within donor rules.
• Donor Financial Reporting: Coordinate the preparation and timely submission of accurate financial reports to donors, in compliance with donor requirements and applicable accounting standards (IFRS).
• Management Reporting: Provide the Finance and Programme leadership with timely, actionable analysis of grants portfolio performance, burn rates and compliance risks.
• Audit Support: Support internal and external audits related to grants and contracts, maintaining audit-ready documentation and helping implement audit recommendations.

4. Sub-Grants & Partner Management

• Due Diligence: Lead financial and organisational due diligence assessments of prospective sub-grantees and implementing partners.
• Sub-Agreement Management: Draft and manage sub-grant and sub-contract agreements, ensuring donor flow-down clauses are correctly applied.
• Disbursement & Compliance Monitoring: Track sub-grantee disbursements, review partner financial reports, and monitor compliance with agreed budgets and donor rules.
• Partner Capacity Building: Build the financial management and compliance capacity of sub-grantees and partner institutions through training and ongoing support.

5. Risk Management & Systems Development

• Grants Risk Management: Identify, assess and escalate financial and compliance risks across the grants portfolio, and maintain an up-to-date grants risk log.
• Internal Controls: Support the design and consistent application of internal controls over grant income, expenditure and sub-grant disbursements.
• Grants Management Systems: Maintain an accurate, up-to-date grants tracking system and ensure accessible records of all active and closed awards.
• Policy Development: Contribute to the continuous review and improvement of AFIDEP’s grants and sub-grants management policies and procedures.
• Identify and escalate risks in grant implementation and contribute to the continuous improvement of AFIDEP’s grants management policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, International Development or a related field.
• At least [5–7] years of relevant progressive experience in grants and contracts management, preferably within the NGO sector or donor-funded environment.
• Strong working knowledge of the compliance requirements of major donors
• Demonstrated experience managing sub-grants or sub-contracts to partner organisations.
• Professional accounting or grants management qualification (e.g. CPA, ACCA, CIMA) is an added advantage.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and financial management skills, with high attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain compliance requirements clearly to non-specialists.
• Proficiency in financial and grants management software and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• A collaborative, proactive approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines under minimal supervision.

Desirable

• Audit Management: Experience supporting internal and external audit processes, including donor financial reviews and statutory audits across multiple jurisdictions.
• ICT Governance: Familiarity with grants and financial data systems, with an appreciation of data security and system controls relevant to grants management.
• Staff Cost Management: Familiarity with staff costing as it relates to grant-funded staffing, including donor rules on staff costs, benefits and compliance.
• Grant Management Systems: Experience with grants management platforms
• Procurement Systems: Familiarity with procurement policies and processes as they relate to donor compliance and grant-funded purchases in an NGO context.

Competencies

The following competencies are integral to success in this role:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think and plan strategically across a complex, multi-donor grants portfolio; translate institutional and donor priorities into practical financial and compliance plans.
• Financial Acumen: Deep technical mastery of financial management, accounting standards, and donor compliance requirements; ability to identify financial risks and develop practical solutions.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present complex financial and compliance information clearly to diverse audiences, including donors, auditors and programme colleagues.
• Integrity & Accountability: The highest standards of personal and professional ethics; a visible champion for financial transparency and institutional accountability.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities; ability to diagnose complex compliance and financial challenges and design pragmatic, sustainable solutions.
• Relationship Management: Ability to build and maintain effective, trust-based relationships with donors, partners, auditors, and internal stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment; able to manage competing priorities and adapt approaches in response to evolving organisational needs.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, detailed CV, and the names and contact details of three professional referees to  Recruitment@afidep.org with the subject line “Grants Manager” by 11 September 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

AFIDEP is an equal opportunity employer

Click here to download job description

PLIANCE OFFICER

About AFIDEP

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Our primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. For further details, visit www.afidep.org.

Role Overview

AFIDEP seeks to recruit an experienced Audit and Compliance Officer to join its team on a fixed-term contract. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the Institute’s financial and operational integrity by establishing and operating a risk-based internal audit and compliance function that provides independent assurance to AFIDEP’s leadership and Board.

The role carries an institute-wide mandate, covering all departments, projects, and country offices, to ensure adherence to international accounting standards, donor-specific financial regulations, statutory obligations, and internal AFIDEP policies.

Key Responsibilities

1. Audit Planning & Management

• Annual Risk-Based Audit Plan: Develop and obtain Board Audit Committee approval for an annual internal audit plan based on a systematic risk assessment of the Institute’s activities, projects, and processes.
• Audit Execution: Lead and conduct audits in accordance with IIA standards, producing formal audit reports with clear findings, root causes, management responses, and agreed corrective actions and timelines.
• Follow-up: Track implementation of audit recommendations and escalate unresolved or high-risk findings to the Board Audit Committee.

2. Financial & Accounting Compliance

• Financial Records Audit: Conduct rigorous audits of all financial records to ensure compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), AFIDEP’s financial policies, and applicable statutory requirements in Kenya and Malawi.
• Donor Compliance: Demonstrated, hands-on familiarity of complex multi-donor environment, with knowledge of the requirements of bilateral, multilateral and private foundation donors
• Internal Controls: Evaluate, monitor, and recommend improvements to financial and operational internal controls to safeguard institutional assets and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

3. 3. Risk Management

• Enterprise Risk Assessment: Maintain and periodically update AFIDEP’s institutional risk register using recognised frameworks (e.g. COSO, ISO 31000), and work with management to ensure appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place.
• Fraud Prevention & Response: Establish and communicate fraud risk policies and whistleblower mechanisms; lead or support investigations into suspected financial irregularities.
• Risk & Compliance Databases: Identify and curate relevant financial data and evidence to maintain internal risk and compliance tracking systems.

4. Systems & Operational Review

• ERP & Financial Systems: Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of AFIDEP’s financial management and ERP systems, including IT general controls and access management, to ensure data integrity and security. Policy & SOP Development: Design and operationalise tools, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and processes to ensure institutional policies are consistently applied across all departments and country offices.
• Operational Efficiency: Identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements that strengthen value for money across institutional operations.

5. 5. Governance & Reporting

• Regulatory Compliance: Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements in all countries where the Institute is registered (currently Kenya and Malawi, USA), including NGO regulations, tax obligations, and labour law provisions relevant to AFIDEP’s operations.

6. Capacity Building

• Staff Training & Mentorship: Design and deliver targeted, practical training for staff across all departments to build sustainable in-house understanding of financial compliance, internal controls, and accountability requirements.
• Compliance Culture: Promote a culture of proactive compliance and ethical conduct across the Institute, acting as a visible champion for accountability standards.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: A Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Professional Certification: A current, full professional certification is mandatory — CPA, ACCA, CIA, or equivalent. CIA certification (Certified Internal Auditor) is particularly desirable given the nature of this role.
• Experience: A minimum of 8 years’ progressive professional experience in internal audit, financial management, or compliance, with at least 5 years in an international NGO, research organisation, or development institution operating within a multi-donor environment.
• Donor Compliance Knowledge: Demonstrated, hands-on familiarity of complex multi-donor environment, with knowledge of the requirements of bilateral, multilateral and private foundation donors.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of statutory and regulatory environments in Kenya and/or Malawi, including NGO governance, tax compliance, and relevant financial reporting obligations.
• Financial Systems: Demonstrated experience designing and managing financial control systems or audit software within complex, multi-project environments; proficiency with ERP systems and advanced use of Microsoft Excel.
• Risk Frameworks: Familiarity with recognised risk management frameworks such as COSO or ISO 31000, and experience maintaining institutional risk registers.
• Audit Standards: Demonstrated working knowledge of IIA International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) or equivalent internal audit standards.

Desirable

• IT/Systems Audit: Experience in IT general controls review, ERP access management audits, or cybersecurity compliance assessments.
• Grants Management Systems: Experience with grants management platforms.
• Multi-country Experience: Prior experience working across multiple country offices or managing compliance in a geographically dispersed organisation.

Competencies

The following competencies are integral to success in this role:

• Professional Integrity & Independence: The highest standards of personal and professional ethics; ability to maintain objectivity and independence under pressure.
• Analytical Rigour: Strong capacity to interpret complex financial data, identify patterns, and reach well-reasoned audit conclusions.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical audit findings clearly and persuasively to non-financial stakeholders — including senior management and Board members
• Relationship Management: Ability to build trust and constructive working relationships with colleagues across the Institute while maintaining the professional scepticism required of an independent audit function.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to documentation, evidence, and reporting, with a commitment to accuracy.
• Initiative & Self-Management: Ability to plan and prioritise a complex workload independently, adapt to shifting priorities, and deliver to deadlines without close supervision.
• Data Literacy: Ability to organise, interpret, and present complex financial information clearly, including proficiency in data visualisation tools for communicating audit findings.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit the following to recruitment@afidep.org no later than 11 September 2026:

• A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) clearly articulating your suitability for the role, including relevant experience with donor compliance and internal audit.
• A detailed curriculum vitae including three professional referees with current contact details.

Please state “Audit & Compliance Officer” in the subject line of your email. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged.

AFIDEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. AFIDEP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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