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Ref.
2025/SGO/13649

Job offer type
Field staff jobs

Type of contract
CDDU

Deadline date
2025/08/31 23:55

Duration
12 months

Mission description

To support the implementation of the SWITCH-2-CE programme, co-implemented with GIZ and funded by the European Union,  Expertise France is looking for two Grant Managers who will join the Project Team based in Lusaka.

Under the line management of the Administrative and Finance Manager (AFM) and in strong collaboration with the Private Sector Financing Expert, the Grant Managers will work in a complementary manner to ensure effective project implementation. They will work closely with GIZ colleagues setting up their part of the MGF.

 

Indicative Tasks to be carried out are:

 

 

Key Responsibilities

1. Preparation and Launch of Calls for Proposals

·       Draft key documents: Terms of Reference, guidelines for applicants, evaluation criteria, and timeline.

·       Coordinate internal validations with legal and finance teams.

·       Ensure publication on relevant platforms and organise information sessions.

·       Respond to applicant queries during the publication phase.

2. Application Review and Selection

·       Coordinate and facilitate the evaluation committees.

·       Check the eligibility, organisational, and financial capacity of applicants.

·       Support in carrying out due diligence of applicants,

·       Support the committee in risk assessment and recommendations.

·       Liaise with applicants for clarification when needed.

3. Support to Applicants and Grantees

·       Provide guidance on procedures, eligibility, and deadlines.

·       Assist with proposal development in coordination with the private sector financing expert.

·       Offer continuous support to grantees on contractual, administrative, and financial requirements.

·       Support in carrying out information sessions/webinars to provide guidance to applicants,

4. Monitoring of Funded Projects

·       Ensure proper implementation of grant-funded activities and compliance with EF and donor rules.

·       Review narrative and financial reports, ensuring quality and timeliness.

·       Deliver training and capacity building on roles, responsibilities, and reporting.

·       Maintain monitoring tools (dashboards, procurement plans, budget forecasts, etc.).

·       Support planning and follow-up of field missions, evaluations, and audits.

5. Administrative Management and Archiving

·       Ensure proper signature and archiving of grant agreements and annexes.

·       Maintain records of all key documents (publication proof, committee minutes, notifications, etc.).

·       Organise document management related to grant implementation.

6. Reporting and Internal Coordination

·       Monitor grantee reporting schedules and follow up on deliverables.

·       Support the technical team in preparing monthly/quarterly reports and updates.

·       Contribute to learning and improvement of grant procedures and support mechanisms.

7. Knowledge management and learning

·       Provide ongoing feedback on the MGF’s effectiveness, sharing field insights and contributing to improvements in the design of eligibility criteria, support mechanisms, and reporting tools.

·       Document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories from MGF implementation.

8. Risk management and fraud prevention

·       Identify potential fiduciary and operational risks in the grant disbursement chain

·       Support the design and implementation of mitigation measures, including fraud prevention protocols and red flag reporting mechanisms.

 

Project or context description

The SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa Program (SWITCH-2-CE) is co-financed by the European Union and jointly implemented by Expertise France (EF) and GIZ. The program aims to foster an inclusive transition to a circular economy in the East and Southern Africa region through policy frameworks, workers and SMEs participation, and improved financing mechanisms for CE businesses. The activities will contribute to mitigation of climate change by promoting green and circular business models. The foreseen capacity development and strengthening of the regulatory and policy framework aim to contribute to the East and Southern Africa (ESA) countries efforts to meet their obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is the regional political partner of the project.

 

The program is structured around three main outcomes, with the two priority value chains: “packaging/plastics waste” and “electronics/e-waste”.

The program aims to achieve the following outcomes:

  • Outcome 1: To establish an enabling policy framework for circular economy across the ESA region;
  • Outcome 2: To enhance the participation of formal and informal workers and SMEs, including women and youth, in circular economy models;
  • Outcome 3: To improve access to and use of financing by circular economy businesses

 

This role is specifically tied to Outcome 3

To address the financial challenges faced by circular economy (CE) businesses—particularly those owned by women and youth—Specific Objective 3 (SO3) aims to enhance access to finance across the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region.

As part of this objective, the Action will establish a regional Matching Grant Facility (MGF) with a total allocation of €6,000,000 for EF. The purpose of the MGF is to reduce investment risks for early-stage CE enterprises, supporting businesses from the early development phase through to the formation of joint ventures.

 

·       EF will focus on seed-stage companies, start-ups, and MSMEs,

·       While GIZ will support transitioning firms and joint ventures.

 

The facility will operate through multiple funding windows, tailored to different stages and types of CE businesses. To ensure the effective use of the grant funds, complementary advisory services will be offered alongside the financial support.

 

The MGF will be implemented via third-party organisations, which will be responsible for co-selecting and disbursing grants to eligible businesses operating within the two targeted value chains. Given the complementary roles of EF and GIZ, strong coordination between both agencies will be essential. Their collaboration will ensure a coherent regional approach and provide a progressive support framework for final beneficiaries.

 

In addition to the MGF, Grants Managers will also oversee grants more tied to outcome 1:

 

·       The €500,000 grant to COMESA, and

·       The €100,000 grant to international thematic organisations aimed at strengthening knowledge production and dissemination in the CE field.

Required profile

Education

  • University degree equivalent university degree in the field of project management, Law, management control, international cooperation, or another relevant discipline. Master’s degree is a plus.

 

Proven Experience

·       At least 5 years of professional experience in implementing development / international cooperation programmes on a similar scale at least 2 years in a similar role handing over and managing grants.

·       Significant professional experience in a similar position including instruction and monitoring of grant files.

·       Experience or knowledge of the geographical area

 

Qualification and skills

·       English skills is a requirement

·       Interest in the field of intervention: innovation, entrepreneurship support, support to the private sector;

·       Knowledge of the European Union's management procedures is an asset.

·       Excellent command of the Office package, in particular Excel and other office software.

·       Strong skills in project management and strong appetite for financial management

·       Good organisational and communication skills.

·       Be methodical, organized and responsive,

·       Strong sense of judgement and good time management

·       Initiative and self-motivation

·       High personal integrity and professionalism

 

Additional information

Localisation:                                   Lusaka, Zambie

Type of contract:                          Wage portage

Contract duration:                        12 months (renewable)

Remuneration:                              based on profile

Estimated start date:                    01/10/2025

 

Deadline to apply: 31/08/2025 11:55 pm (Paris time). Expertise France reserves the right to select a candidate before this date.

 

To apply, please send via the link below :

 

·       Your resume (max. 2 pages), including contact details for 3 professional references,

·       A cover letter (max. 1 pages)

 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Deadline for application : 2025/08/31 23:55

Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :

  • democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
  • peace, stability, and security ;
  • climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
  • health and human development ;

In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results. 

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