Youth Impact’s mission is to connect youth to proven life-changing information. Our vision is all youth thriving, which we work towards through delivery of multiple evidence-based programs. We are at an inflection point in our growth: we have over 400 staff, three programs in health and education, and a cumulative reach of over 500,000 youth in 10+ countries. Our culture is unique: we are always learning, have a dynamic, youthful team, a fierce commitment to measurement and evidence, and work hand-in-hand with the government. On any given day our leaders will sing and dance, negotiate MOUs, and spend dedicated time with the field team in schools.

 

Primary Purpose

 

The Finance Specialist (Grants & Compliance) of a growing & dynamic International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) will manage the pre- and post-award processes for grants and provide financial oversight on grants. This includes grant management to ensure financial compliance, external reporting, incorporating best practices, and ensuring excellent controls. The position works closely with the finance department, business development, and program teams to ensure accurate, timely, efficient, and transparent processes are in place for a grant’s life cycle. 

 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

 

The successful applicant will be required to complete the following tasks:

 

• Manage the organizational portfolio of donors by creating appropriate databases and, where necessary, reviewing and improving existing systems and structures to ensure efficient internal and external reporting.

• Track grant expenditure, ensuring allocations are aligned with approved budgets and compliant with respective donor requirements. Provide monthly expenditure reports and guide strategic grant allocations.

• Prepare related forecast reports and, where significant variances are expected, collaborate proactively with program teams to ensure accelerated spending.

• Where project milestones are unlikely to be met within the grant period, liaise with the Business Development Unit to ensure appropriate communication with the relevant donor and, where necessary, participate in No Cost Extension discussions, as applicable.

• Provide leadership and oversight on grant compliance requirements and develop organizational practices and processes for efficient grant management, including leading onboarding and working sessions with Finance personnel at grant inception.

• Support fundraising efforts by collaborating with the Business Development Unit to ensure successful application processes, and liaise with program leads during the budget development phase to align budgets with internal policies (e.g., indirect cost recovery, percentage of personnel costs). Gain a full understanding of donor cost items, including allowable and unallowable costs and other compliance requirements.

• Support sub-grant management by providing technical support and mentoring to sub-grantees on the complexity and restrictions of restricted funding, and building their capacity to effectively manage grants. Assist in reviewing sub-granting contracts and budgets to ensure cost-effectiveness and reasonableness. Review financial reports to ensure spending is in line with approved budgets.

• Support the capacity building of managers and facilitate dissemination of grant management knowledge to others involved in grant management and implementation.

• Build organizational readiness and infrastructure to support efficient and effective compliance with bilateral, multilateral, and development agencies such as USAID, the UN, FCDO, and other government grants. Where necessary, lead discrete processes such as negotiations for an Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA).

• Work on discrete projects in collaboration with Senior Management.

• Perform other duties as assigned from time to time.

 

Required Qualifications & Experience:

​

• Bachelor’s degree (Accounting or Finance, Business Management Project Management, or similar qualifications).

• Additional professional certification such as a CIMA/ACCA or equivalent (with active membership in good standing) and related courses considered an asset.

• Relevant postgraduate work experience of three years or greater in a similar role is required. Previous experience managing large grants from International Development Bodies will be an asset.

• Previous experience managing USAID-funded projects and knowledge about US Government rules and regulations is a requirement for this position. 

• Proficiency in Pastel or similar packages required.

 

Required Characteristics:

​

• Attitude: Dedicated and hard-working with excellent ownership and accountability.

• Energy & motivation: Enthusiastic, youthful, energetic, innovative; goal-oriented self-starter. Willingness to go the extra mile.

• Analytical skills: Analytical & problem-solving abilities are required.

• Organizational skills, ability to prioritize projects & manage time & resources effectively. Ability to exercise logic & good judgement.

• Technical skills: Excellent MS Excel skills, good understanding of accounting, reporting standards & Microsoft Office required.

• Class B Driver’s License considered an asset

 

Deadline: 31st January 2026 at 23:59 CAT

Contract Period: 2-year fixed term contract with potential for extension pending performance

Location: Based in Gaborone, Botswana, with an option for remote work if not feasible to relocate 

 

Follow the link on our website for application materials: https://www.youth-impact.org/join-our-team

 

Benefits include generous annual leave, health care provision, professional development opportunities, the possibility to work remotely, access to our amazing global networks, and much more.