Grant Officer

I. Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, Grants, the Grants Officer will support Malala Fund’s grantmaking as a core member of the Country Programmes & Advocacy (CPA) team. Working closely with Malala Fund’s Grants team, they will be responsible for vetting, awarding and managing a portfolio of grants designed to get all girls learning and in school for 12 years of safe, quality education. The ideal candidate is a highly organised self-starter with experience in grantmaking to support advocacy and development in the Global South, and with professional fluency in Portuguese.

II. Responsibilities

Grant Management and Oversight

●      Manage a portfolio of grants covering several Malala Fund programme countries and/or programmes.

●      Evaluate grant proposal applications for potential appropriateness, effectiveness and project design quality; and      support grant applicants in refining proposals, including budgets, project deliverables and MEL plans.

●      Prepare recommendations for grant approvals to Malala Fund’s CEO and/or Board of Directors.

●      Identify and resolve grant implementation issues and recommend grant modifications when needed.

●      Monitor project progress through review of grantee narrative and financial progress reports, regular communication and periodic monitoring visits.

●      Prepare funding disbursement requests tied to grantee deliverables.

●      Represent Malala Fund to external education networks and partnerships.

●      Assume other programmatic or grants-related responsibilities as needed.

 Organisational Culture

●      Upholds the values of Malala Fund.

●      Actively contributes to making Malala Fund a diverse and equitable workplace through inclusive practice and openness to different perspectives, cultures and ideas.

●      Maintains behaviour and conduct that uphold the highest standards for safeguarding, professionally and personally.

●      Acts as a role model for a ‘learning organisation’ culture by seeking insight and using problems as opportunities to learn.

III.  Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours

 Essential

●      Significant relevant grantmaking experience.

●      Experience with programme implementation in the Global South.

●      Skilled in all stages of the grant management cycle – from grant proposal review to grantee project monitoring and troubleshooting.

●      Familiarity with budgets and financial information.

●      Ability to form trusting and honest relationships with grantee partners. 

●      Highly proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace.

●      Professional fluency in Portuguese.

●      Excellent written, research and organisational skills.

●      Solid judgement and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail, accuracy and quality.

●      Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with issues and trends in international education, women and girls’ empowerment and youth focused programmes.

●      Strong commitment to Malala Fund’s mission, purpose and values.

●      Strong commitment to gender equality, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, decolonisation and social justice.

●      Strong commitment to professional development and continued learning.

●      Excellent team player with ability to work independently and in collaboration with colleagues at all levels across departments and external stakeholders.

Desirable

●      Experience with grantmaking focused on advocacy or international education.

●      Experience in one or more of Malala Fund’s current programme countries, particularly in Brazil.

 Malala Fund is committed to racial equity and social justice. We actively seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities, to provide a wide range of perspectives, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who have lived in countries in which Malala Fund is operating.

IV. About Malala Fund

Registered as a public charity in the U.K. and U.S., Malala Fund is working toward a world where all girls can learn and lead. With more than 130 million girls out of school today, we're breaking down barriers that hold girls back.

Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education. The girls we serve have high goals for themselves and we have high expectations for leaders who can help them. We invest in local education leaders and front-line organisations — the people who best understand girls in their communities — in regions where most girls are missing out on secondary school. We give girls the tools they need to advocate for education and equality in their communities and a platform for the world to hear their voices. We believe girls should speak for themselves and tell leaders what they need to learn and achieve their potential.

V. How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter through the application link by 4 December 2023

Please note that due to the very high number of applications we receive when positions are posted, we are only able to respond directly to candidates with whom we wish to move forward in the interview process.

Malala Fund is an inclusive organisation and welcomes applications from under-represented and intersectional groups including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We are seeking people from different backgrounds, cultures, age, experience and identities, to provide a wide range of experience, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund.

Malala Fund is committed to ensuring the safety of those involved in our work. Our first priority is protecting everyone who comes in direct or indirect contact with our organisation. Malala Fund has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and exploitation by any of our staff, representatives or partners. We commit to ensuring that those who work with Malala Fund or on our behalf are able to work in an environment that is free from harm. To this end, Malala Fund reserves the right to conduct background checks on prospective and current employees