DREEM Finance and Grants Assistant, Pan Africa

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive DREEM Finance and Grants Assistant, Pan Africa to join its Nairobi-based team. This role sits at the intersection of financial operations, grants management, and programme compliance, supporting the Decent Rural Employment and Economic Mobility (DREEM) programme funded by the Mastercard Foundation. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring that Regional Lead Organisation (RLO) financial activities are accurately tracked, documented, and compliant with both donor and WUSC internal policies.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with a passion for international development to contribute meaningfully to a Pan-Africa programme that is transforming livelihoods across the continent. You will work closely with Finance, Grants, and Programme teams to ensure smooth financial and grants management operations across multiple country contexts.

• Assist in preparing, processing, and reviewing RLO proposals, budgets, and grant agreements in compliance with Mastercard Foundation and WUSC requirements.
• Coordinate and review RLO financial deliverables, ensuring adherence to donor compliance standards and organisational policies.
• Support the preparation of internal RLO-related reports, financial summaries, and budget narratives.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for RLOs during Request for Proposals (RFPs), responding to financial and grants-related inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Develop and maintain a unified records management system for both hard and soft copy documents, using consistent naming conventions, access controls, and secure data backups to ensure audit readiness and full transparency.
• Track budget lines, reconcile expenditures, and identify discrepancies in RLO financial reports, escalating issues as necessary.
• Assist in drafting project budgets, proposal financial inputs, and budget revisions for programme activities.
• Act as a coordination focal point between Finance, Grants, and Programme teams, facilitating alignment meetings, planning sessions, and shared workstreams.
• Monitor RLO budgets and flag underspending or overspending trends to the Finance and Grants Manager.
• Ensure all grant documentation is complete, current, and stored in accordance with WUSC's document management protocols.

• Demonstrate the ability to process and track multi-partner grant expenditures accurately and on time across complex, multi-country programmes.
• Apply working knowledge of donor compliance requirements — particularly Mastercard Foundation or similar large international donors — to financial reporting and documentation.
• Maintain meticulous records and filing systems for both digital and physical grant documents, ensuring they are audit-ready at all times.
• Communicate financial information clearly to non-finance programme staff and external RLO partners.
• Use accounting or grants management software (e.g. QuickBooks, SAP, or equivalent ERP systems) to process payments and reconcile accounts.
• Identify budget variances, flag discrepancies proactively, and propose corrective actions within established timelines.
• Work collaboratively across multiple teams and time zones in a fast-paced, deadline-driven international development environment.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Bring 2–4 years of relevant professional experience in accounting, finance, or grants management, with direct exposure to donor-funded projects strongly preferred.

WUSC offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and aligned to INGO salary scales in Kenya. The estimated monthly salary range for this role is KES 100,000 – 180,000, reflecting the organisation's commitment to attracting and retaining top talent in the development sector. Additional benefits include a supportive and inclusive work environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to a high-impact Pan-Africa programme.

This role is ideal for a mid-level finance or grants professional who thrives in structured, compliance-driven environments and has a genuine interest in international development. You are highly organised, enjoy working with numbers and documentation, and are comfortable engaging with both internal teams and external partner organisations. You understand the nuances of donor reporting and take pride in maintaining error-free financial records.

Do not apply if you have no prior experience with donor-funded project finance, if you are uncomfortable with multi-stakeholder coordination, or if you prefer purely transactional accounting roles with no programme interface. This role requires both technical rigour and strong interpersonal communication skills.

• Visit the WUSC careers portal or the job platform where this listing is posted.
• Prepare an updated CV (maximum 3 pages) and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience in grants and finance management.
• Submit your application through the official WUSC application link or recruitment platform indicated in the full job posting.
• Ensure your application clearly demonstrates your experience with donor-funded projects and your familiarity with grants compliance frameworks.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. WUSC is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.