The Position
*Associate Grants Officer – Kenya – Position ID: AGO/PD/KE/05/2026*
The role involves supporting grant management activities in Kenya, requiring strong analytical and organizational skills. Key responsibilities include monitoring grant disbursements, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and maintaining accurate records. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field, along with at least three years of experience in grants administration or a similar role. Proficiency in financial reporting and donor communication is essential, and experience with international development programs is highly desirable. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful initiatives in a dynamic environment.
The Associate Grants Officer will collaborate closely with the Country Team, delivering adaptable and cooperative assistance in both pre-award and post-award grant management functions as part of the broader grants management team.
He or she will provide oversight to country teams—including the In-country Grants Officer and the Headquarters Grants team—by assisting with the execution of key grants-related functions such as reviewing financial reports, validating expenditures, and ensuring grantee adherence to AGRA’s internal policies and processes.
Oversee a comprehensive range of duties and responsibilities, ensuring seamless execution of assigned tasks. Provide leadership in managing core functions, maintaining alignment with organizational objectives. Facilitate efficient workflows, prioritize key initiatives, and drive measurable outcomes. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-impact results, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Monitor performance metrics, identify areas for enhancement, and implement strategic solutions. Uphold compliance with established policies and standards while promoting best practices in all operational activities.
Oversee the daily administration and oversight of project and In-Kind grant initiatives for assigned grantees, ensuring effective management of their respective portfolios.
Develops and manages a grant tracking database using AMIS and additional tools to track project proposals from receipt of complete grant documentation in the grants unit through issuance of the grant award and the disbursement of the first payment.
Identifies organizations receiving grants that need technical support and delivers informative training sessions on AGRA’s grant compliance and reporting obligations.
Perform comprehensive pre-award due diligence assessments on prospective grantees, with a focus on evaluating their organizational capacity.
Ensure grantees comply with all donor-mandated requirements throughout the duration of the grant, from issuance to completion.
Offer expert guidance to national leadership regarding compliance obligations associated with in-kind grants.
Works in partnership with Kenya’s country leadership and HQ regional grants officers to implement frameworks, protocols, and processes pertaining to In-Kind grants administration.
Collaborates seamlessly with program staff to meticulously assess, refine, and formalize essential adjustments or amendments to grants and contracts.
Enhances the capabilities of AGRA In-Kind grantees in Kenya by delivering targeted training sessions and offering ongoing technical support in monitoring and evaluation systems and tools as necessary.
Advocates for adherence to donor and AGRA-specific regulations governing in-kind grant disbursement, as well as all relevant delegation of authority policies concerning signatory powers and established thresholds.
Demonstrates proactive engagement with program staff to ensure grants are closed in a timely manner, maintaining consistent follow-up throughout the process.
Monitor the grant-making pipeline, process RFCN submissions, and issue GAL documents.
Ensure that grantees and AGRA upload fully complete and accurate expenditure support documentation to AMIS, adhering to the requirements set by the MCF and other relevant donors as applicable.
Conducts thorough grant charter reviews and compiles comprehensive grant materials for submission to the Grant Committee.
Oversee the evaluation of grantee operations and assess the overall health of the portfolio through systematic performance reviews.
Facilitate the development and delivery of onboarding orientation sessions for newly awarded projects, then organize and lead monthly or quarterly gatherings with project personnel to verify adherence to grant contract provisions and all associated project obligations.
Evaluates the completeness, accuracy, and compliance of all grant and contract documentation prepared by program staff, ensuring adherence to AGRA and donor-established policies and procedures.
Responsible for managing and coordinating reporting obligations and disbursements for newly awarded grants.
Maintain precise data entry and organize the annual grant-making budget for AGRA within the AMIS system.
Demonstrated expertise and professional experience in the following areas are essential for this role:
A Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Finance, or a related field, along with an accounting certification, is required.
Experience in grant making environments and a proven track record of adhering to donor compliance standards are essential requirements for this role.
Proven track record in financial management, encompassing strategic planning, budgetary oversight, and resource allocation.
Demonstrated skill in instructing grantees on grant management and compliance protocols is required.
Demonstrated ability to analyze challenges and implement structured improvements to policies and procedures is essential.
Possesses strong organizational abilities, demonstrates unwavering dedication to precision and the maintenance of a streamlined, efficient workflow, and exhibits an exceptional attention to detail even in high-pressure environments.
Skilled in fostering positive relationships through strong interpersonal abilities, including demonstrating courtesy, tact, and patience in all interactions.
Proven capability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while prioritizing responsibilities effectively is essential.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
