Established in 2003, the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) is a regional partnership of over 100 non-governmental organisations working together to promote a human rights-based response to HIV and TB in 18 countries in Southern and East Africa through capacity strengthening and advocacy. The Regional Office of ARASA is in Windhoek, Namibia. 

Starting in 2023, ARASA will be responsible for the Love Alliance participatory grant-making in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and at the sub-regional level. The Love Alliance is a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Aidsfonds, UHAI EASHRI, ISDAO, GALZ, Sisonke, SANPUD and GNP+ with ARASA as a grant-making partner for Southern Africa from 2023/2024. The Love Alliance runs from 2021-2025 with a focus on advocacy for HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights for sex workers, people who use drugs (PWUD), and LGBTIQ+ people, including people living with HIV. 

Reporting to the Programme Manager, the Grants Coordinator Love Alliance role will be based in Namibia, with frequent travel to programme countries. Coordinating the Love Alliance Grants in 3 countries, the Grants Coordinator will be responsible for managing the grant application process, coordinating the pre-award planning, organisation, and preparation, and the post-award administration of Love Alliance grants.

Responsibilities of the Grants Coordinator

The Grants Coordinator will report to the programmes manager Love Alliance and matrix, reporting to ARASA Head of Programme Quality and Funding. The incumbent will work to:

  • Closely coordinate with national advocacy coordinating organisation and partner organisations on all features of the love Alliance grant-making portfolio, including (but not exclusively) due diligence, contract management, reporting and monitoring, capacity support, development of multi-annual advocacy plans in line with Love alliance and regional plans, convening and informing/learning and sharing, exchange,
  • Contribute to overall events of the Love Alliance and of partner organisations’ mid-term and end evaluations, communication materials, advocacy briefs, preparations for High-Level Meetings, partners commemoration days.
  • Organise events/conferences/partner meetings in case this is planned with ARASA
  • Ensures all grant requirements are met within the stipulated time and within application parameters.
  • Completes all documents, forms, or reports required by the grant.
  • Coordinates the monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects that are funded by grants.
  • Develops and maintains master files on grants and paperwork connected to programs funded by grants.
  • Developing, in collaboration with other team members, and issuing the call for proposals for LA grants.
  • In collaboration with other team members, participate in the selection of recipients for the LA grants.
  • Supporting the finalisation of work plans, M&E frameworks and budgets for the LA grants and ensuring that grant agreements are drafted and signed.
  • Ensuring disbursements for grants are made in accordance with the grant agreements.
  • Providing ongoing technical assistance to grantees, including in respect of programme management, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.
  • Linking grantees with other organizations at the regional and international level who can provide additional resources and information, though, inter alia, the creation of a knowledge-sharing online platform(s);
  • Moderating the grantees’ email list and ensuring that additional resources and other relevant information are shared with grantees; 
  • Compiling consolidated quarterly reports on the progress of the LA grants projects.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

  • Ability to develop and produce grants and other proposals.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Knowledge of current developments/trends in the area of expertise.
  • Ability to determine informational needs, to collect and analyze information, and to devise and develop statistical analyses and reports.
  • Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
  • Database management skills.
  • Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
  • Knowledge of grant funding policies and procedures

Required skills and qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in social science, law, or public health or any other appropriate or equivalent degree. A masters in a relevant field will be an added advantage. Appropriate experience may be considered in place of a Masters. A broad-based understanding of international and regional health and human rights is required.

The candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to facilitate consultative processes. Computer literacy and finance understanding are essential. Excellent verbal and written communication, training and capacity strengthening, and research and analytical skills are required. The individual must have the right to live and work in Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, or Zimbabwe. 

ARASA offers an attractive remuneration package, commensurate with experience. Interested and qualified candidates who match the profile are invited to submit their CV and letter of interest, to recruitment@arasa.info  with the title “Grants Coordinator” in the subject line.

The closing date for applications is midnight (SAST) on the 20th of January 2023. Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.