Grant Manager SO3 AEDIB2.0

About the project

As part of the Digital for Innovation Team Europe Initiative, funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium including Expertise France, Enabel, ESTDev, GIZ, Haus Institute, and RVO, Expertise France is hiring a Grant Officer based in Kigali.

This regional programme—African European Digital Innovation Bridge (AEDIB 2.0)—aims to strengthen digital transformation and the green transition in Sub-Saharan Africa by supporting digital entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. The project focuses on three pillars:

1. Strengthening digital entrepreneurship and innovation policies
2. Enhancing innovation support organisations (ISOs)
3. Improving access to finance for innovative ventures, particularly women-led and green-focused initiatives

Under Component 3, the programme will enhance support mechanisms for early-stage and scaling ventures by launching open calls, developing innovative financial tools, and building capacity among local investors and intermediaries.

Position Overview

The Grant Manager will be responsible for the full grant management cycle under Component 3, reporting to the Technical Lead. He/She contributes directly to the financial execution, partner coordination, and results monitoring of Component 3.

This includes overseeing calls for proposals, grant contracting, fund disbursement, risk mitigation, compliance with EU regulations, and coordination with partners. The Grant Manager will also support capacity-building efforts for financiers and ecosystem stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities (non-exhaustive)

Grant Management & Financial Compliance

• Lead the operational and administrative management of grants, by ensuring compliance with Expertise France’s internal procedures: call preparation, selection processes, contracting, and closure
• Monitor grant expenditures, ensuring strict alignment with EU eligibility criteria and financial regulations
• Set up an operational and optimised mechanism for the reporting between the CSOs and expertise France, backed by an appropriate monitoring and verification of expenditure
• Guarantee compliance with all contractual and donor obligations throughout the implementation cycle
• Prepare interim and final financial reports for submission to the European Commission, ensuring accuracy and consistency
• Maintain a comprehensive and audit-ready filing system for all financial and contractual documents
• Coordinate with internal legal and financial departments, and liaise with external auditors when required
• Provide a reliability grant financial reporting in line with the department’s financial coordination requirements

Partner Support & Risk Mitigation

• Support implementing partners in adhering to EU financial, administrative, and reporting procedures
• Provide training session to the partners on managing the grant contract following the donor’s procedures
• Identify potential risks (e.g., ineligible expenditures) and implement appropriate mitigation measures
• Review and validate expenditure reports submitted by grantees and organize financial follow-ups: on-site visits, committees, and feedback loops
• Ensure effective monitoring of the grant execution and timely detection of any procedural deviations
• Promote best practices and ensure alignment across all project stakeholders

Capacity Building & Strategic Coordination

• Deliver tailored trainings and continuous technical assistance to partners on financial compliance and grant management
• Facilitate coordination between project teams – technical, financial, administrative – and ensure coherence of actions under Component 3
• Contribute to the design and implementation of innovative financial instruments (e.g., repayable advances, angel investment schemes)
• Support capacity-building initiatives for local financiers and investors, with particular attention to gender-responsive and environmentally sustainable investment practices
• Participate in the tracking of project results (KPIs, outputs) and support the monitoring & evaluation framework of Component 3

Required Profile

Academic Background & Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in project management, finance, development cooperation, or a related field
• At least 3 years of proven experience in managing grant schemes, preferably within EU-funded programmes
• Familiarity with EU financial rules and procedures is a strong asset
• Experience working within international development consortia is an advantage

Technical Skills

• Excellent command of financial tools and software (Excel, accounting platforms such as SAGE)
• Capacity to draft clear and structured reports, budgets, and financial analyses
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail and rigor
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of French and/or local languages is a plus

Soft Skills

• Autonomy, integrity, and proactivity
• Strong sense of accountability and precision in financial operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multicultural environments
• Capacity to prioritise tasks and manage multiple workflows under tight deadlines

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to contribute to a transformative, high-impact initiative across Africa and Europe
• A stimulating working environment within a dynamic international team
• A 12-month renewable contract, based in Kigali, Rwanda, with potential missions in Sub-Saharan Africa
• A remuneration package aligned with Expertise France’s salary grid, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience

Planned Start Date : July 2025

Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Start Date: June 2025
Contract: 12 months, renewable until December 2027
Project Duration: May 2025 – January 2030 (56 months)