Background

ARIDLIFE Development Agency (ARIDLIFE) is a national NGO in Somalia implementing humanitarian and development programs that support vulnerable and underserved communities. Its work focuses on child protection, livelihoods and resilience, food security, climate-smart agriculture, community engagement, accountability, and evidence-based programming. ARIDLIFE works closely with communities, government institutions, donors, and development and humanitarian partners to strengthen resilience, protect vulnerable groups, and improve access to sustainable opportunities and essential services. We are inviting applications from qualified individuals for a project anticipated to start in September 2026.

Grant Officer

Department: Business Development & Quality Assurance

Reports To: Grants Management assistant / Business Development officer

Duty Station:Mogadishu

Contract Type & Duration: full-time (6 months) with a high possibility of extension.

Minimum Experience Required: 4+ years of direct experience in grant writing, donor compliance, and narrative reporting within an INGO or UN environment.

Education: Bachelor’s / Diploma in Business studies, CPA, International Development, Project Management, or a related field.

Position Summary

The Grant Officer manages the administrative and strategic lifecycle of project grants, including donor reporting, compliance tracking, and proposal development across technical units.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Proposal and Narrative Writing: drafting / writing and synthesis of donor proposals, technical narratives, concept notes, and logical frameworks (UN, EU, USAID, BHA, or similar).
• Donor Reporting and Quality Control: Draft, review, edit, and compile quarterly, annual, and final project reports, ensuring full alignment with financial records and project data.
• Grant Management Lifecycle: Maintain the Grant Tracking Matrix and organize Grant Kick-Off meetings, monthly Grant Review meetings, and formal Grant Close-Out sessions.
• Sub-Grantee Oversight: Monitor local partner sub-grant agreements, track reporting schedules, review partner reports, and ensure compliance across downstream partners.
• Compliance Advisory: Serve as the internal resource on donor rules and contractual obligations, advising program teams on allowable costs and contract amendments.

Key Skills & Competencies

• A track record of proposals or reports delivered to at least one major institutional donor
• Strong command of logical frameworks, indicator design, and budget narratives
• Excellent written English; additional donor-language proficiency (French, Arabic, or similar) an advantage
• Experience managing sub-grantee compliance and reporting cycles

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following two documents in a single email:

• An updated CV (maximum 3 pages) that includes contact details for three professional references, one of whom must be your most recent direct line manager.
• A cover letter (maximum 1 page) that states the exact position title you are applying for.

Send both documents to [email protected] with the subject line: Position Title – Your Full Name.

Applications close on 28/08/2026 at 17:00 EAT. Aridlife reviews applications on a rolling basis and may fill a position before the deadline if a strong candidate is identified, so early submissions are encouraged. Incomplete or late submissions will not be evaluated. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.