The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. Created in 1948, I...

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Grants Officer, Regional Office Nairobi

Job Type

Full Time

Qualification

BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA

Experience

5 years

Location

Nairobi

Job Field

Project Management

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under close supervision of the Senior Finance Officer, CREATES and Grants and Contracts Manager, ESARO, the Grants Officer will be responsible for establishing, overseeing, and monitoring the entire grants management cycle for the CREATES project, ensuring efficient implementation and full compliance with both donor and IUCN policies.

This role involves developing and operationalizing fit-for-purpose granting and sub-granting systems, policies, and procedures that reflect the specific needs and contexts of the SMM and Mara River basins.

The Grants Officer will ensure adherence to financial, administrative, and contractual requirements across all phases of the grant lifecycle—including calls for proposals, due diligence, pre-award assessments, contracting, reporting, and risk management—in close coordination with basin teams, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

CREATES Grant Management Systems Development;

• Lead the design and operationalisation of a fit-for-purpose grant and sub-grant management system for the CREATES project.
• Develop tools, templates, and guidelines for soliciting, evaluating, and selecting sub-partners in alignment with project objectives and donor requirements.
• Coordinate and conduct due diligence assessments for potential sub-grantees, focusing on both technical capacity and financial management systems.
• Establish and maintain a risk management and monitoring framework for all sub-awards, in coordination with basin teams.
• Ensure that all PMU and basin staff are adequately informed and trained on donor compliance regulations and IUCN procedures to facilitate timely and compliant implementation.
• Deliver targeted capacity building to sub-grantees and local partners to strengthen grants management and reporting capabilities.

Grants Compliance Management;

• Support the review and processing of grant agreements, amendments, cost extensions, and no-cost extensions, ensuring full adherence to IUCN and donor protocols.
• Ensure all grant-related financial reporting and expenditures strictly comply with the terms and conditions of signed agreements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for sub-grantees on all grant compliance matters.
• Review financial and narrative reports from sub-grantees to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance prior to submission to the Project Management Unit or donor.

Support to Project Implementation and Portfolio Development;

• Contribute to the strategic and operational planning of CREATES, particularly in relation to grant-funded activities and community engagement.
• Assist in the development of annual work plans and budgets, ensuring synergy between grant-funded initiatives and overall project delivery.
• Analyse sub-grantee performance and funding history and generate periodic reports to inform project management and strategic decision-making.

Other Responsibilities;

• Perform any other duties related to grants management or project implementation as may be assigned by the Senior Finance Officer or Grants and Contracts Manager (ESARO), in line with the evolving needs of the CREATES project.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education;

• A university degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, or other relevant fields.
• Strong proficiency in standard office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet-based communication and collaboration tools.
• A master’s degree in a related field will be an added advantage.

Work Experience;

• Minimum five years of relevant experience, preferably in project or grant management within the development or environmental sectors, including:
• Demonstrated expertise in the design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of donor-funded environmental or natural resource management projects.
• Proven experience working with or supporting community-led initiatives, livelihood projects, or local capacity development programs.
• Hands-on experience in budget development, financial tracking, and compliance for projects funded by bilateral, multilateral, or philanthropic donors.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, network building, and facilitating collaboration among partners.
• Strong commitment to continuous learning, with a demonstrated capacity for adaptability and self-development.
• Proactive, results-driven and innovative

• Lead the design and operationalisation of a fit-for-purpose grant and sub-grant management system for the CREATES project.
• Develop tools, templates, and guidelines for soliciting, evaluating, and selecting sub-partners in alignment with project objectives and donor requirements.
• Coordinate and conduct due diligence assessments for potential sub-grantees, focusing on both technical capacity and financial management systems.
• Establish and maintain a risk management and monitoring framework for all sub-awards, in coordination with basin teams.
• Ensure that all PMU and basin staff are adequately informed and trained on donor compliance regulations and IUCN procedures to facilitate timely and compliant implementation.
• Deliver targeted capacity building to sub-grantees and local partners to strengthen grants management and reporting capabilities.
• Support the review and processing of grant agreements, amendments, cost extensions, and no-cost extensions, ensuring full adherence to IUCN and donor protocols.
• Ensure all grant-related financial reporting and expenditures strictly comply with the terms and conditions of signed agreements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for sub-grantees on all grant compliance matters.
• Review financial and narrative reports from sub-grantees to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance prior to submission to the Project Management Unit or donor.
• Contribute to the strategic and operational planning of CREATES, particularly in relation to grant-funded activities and community engagement.
• Assist in the development of annual work plans and budgets, ensuring synergy between grant-funded initiatives and overall project delivery.
• Analyse sub-grantee performance and funding history and generate periodic reports to inform project management and strategic decision-making.
• Perform any other duties related to grants management or project implementation as may be assigned by the Senior Finance Officer or Grants and Contracts Manager (ESARO), in line with the evolving needs of the CREATES project.

• Strong proficiency in standard office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet-based communication and collaboration tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in the design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of donor-funded environmental or natural resource management projects.
• Proven experience working with or supporting community-led initiatives, livelihood projects, or local capacity development programs.
• Hands-on experience in budget development, financial tracking, and compliance for projects funded by bilateral, multilateral, or philanthropic donors.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, network building, and facilitating collaboration among partners.
• Strong commitment to continuous learning, with a demonstrated capacity for adaptability and self-development.
• Proactive, results-driven and innovative

• A university degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, or other relevant fields.
• A master’s degree in a related field will be an added advantage.