Job Title: Program Officer - Matching Grant Management (01) Position

Job Grade: KT4

Reports To : Country Team Leader

Direct Reports : None 

Employment Category: Contract 

Duty Station : Kigali – Rwanda 

Purpose of the Job

The Program Officer – Matching Grant Management is responsible for supporting the strategic oversight and implementation of the Kilimo Trust Grants Program, ensuring the design and management of transparent, effective, and efficient grant operations. The Officer oversees the entire grant lifecycle—including solicitation, appraisal, contracting, performance monitoring, financial reporting, risk management, and closeout—while providing direct supervision and support to Matching Grant Partners to ensure high-quality, compliant, and results-oriented grant implementation in line with donor requirements and Kilimo Trust policies.

Specific Responsibilities

A. Grant Management & Partner Supervision

1. Lead and coordinate the implementation of the matching grants in line with project objectives and donor expectations.
2. Coordinate calls for proposals, review applications, and support the appraisal and selection processes
3. Conduct due diligence assessments for potential grantees and prepare recommendations for approval.
4. Draft, negotiate, and finalize grant agreements, ensuring clarity of deliverables, budget allocations, and compliance obligations.
5. Supervise and support Matching Grant Partners to ensure timely execution of activities, adherence to grant agreements, and achievement of milestones
6. Maintain a comprehensive grants management database and documentation system.

B. Compliance, Risk Management & Quality Assurance

1. Continuous update of the Grants Management manual and disseminate to all KT technical staff responsible for grantees/ field supervisors.
2. Receive quarterly technical, monitoring, and financial reports and distribute to appropriate staff for review. Call meetings if necessary to ensure successful progress from all sides and approve payments based on performance. 
3. Serve as a resource for partners on questions pertaining to achievement of milestones, and compliance regulations, and prepare quarterly updates charting partner milestones.
4. Ensure that all grant activities comply with donor regulations, Kilimo Trust policies, procurement requirements, and contractual obligations.
5. Monitor grant performance risks and implement mitigation measures in collaboration with the Team Leader and Finance team.
6. Provide continuous guidance to Matching Grant Partners on compliance standards and reporting requirements.
7. Conduct regular compliance spot checks and support internal or external audits.

C. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

1. Conduct routine field visits to verify progress, identify gaps, and provide support to partners.
2. Review and validate narrative and financial reports submitted by partners before approval and disbursements.
3. Assist M&E in monitoring grantee performance toward indicators and maintain database logging milestones.
4. Prepare project reports showing grant progress updates as per contractual agreements or as may be required by other stakeholders
5. Support learning, documentation, and dissemination of best practices related to the matching grant model.

D. Financial Management of Grants

1. Work with the Finance team to review partner budgets, cost-share contributions, and expenditure forecasts.
2. Verify financial reports and support documents submitted by partners to ensure allowability and accuracy.
3. Recommend issuance of grant disbursements based on verified performance and financial compliance.
4. Participate in financial spot checks and grant closeout reviews.

E. Capacity Building & Stakeholder Engagement

1. Build the capacity of Matching Grant Partners in proposal development, financial management, reporting, and compliance.
2. Facilitate learning sessions, partner meetings, and knowledge-sharing platforms to enhance grant performance.
3. Support the Team Leader in building strong relationships with private sector actors, agribusiness SMEs, producer organizations, and government stakeholders.

Key Performance Indicators:

1. Effective supervision and performance of Matching Grant Partners.
2. Timely review and approval of partner reports and disbursements.
3. High level of compliance with donor and institutional requirements.
4. Successful achievement of matching grant targets and project milestones.
5. Quality documentation, learning, and stakeholder engagement

Technical Competence Requirements

1. Strong project management and analytical skills.
2. Solid understanding of agricultural value chains and market systems development.
3. Excellent financial analysis and budgeting skills.
4. Strong communication, facilitation, and partner management abilities.
5. High integrity, attention to detail, and strong commitment to accountability.
6. Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
7. Excellent computer skills, particularly MS Excel and grants management tools.
8. Knowledge of relevant Artificial Intelligence Applications 
9. Working knowledge of English, both written and spoken
10. Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and respect for colleagues.
11. Able to create a supportive working relationship among all project teams

Educational Qualifications and Experience Required

1. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Agriculture, Economics, Project Management, Development Studies, or a related field.
2. A Master’s degree or professional certification in project management or grants management is an added advantage.
3. Minimum 5 years of experience in grant management, SME support programs, or donor-funded development projects.
4. Demonstrated experience managing matching grants, challenge funds, or enterprise development grants.
5. Familiarity with donor compliance frameworks (e.g USAID, EU, IFAD, Mastercard Foundation).
6. Experience working with private sector partners, agribusiness firms, and farmer organizations

How to Apply

If you are the right candidate, please send your application letter plus the following: 

• An up-to-date CV, highlighting relevant skills and experience (presented in relation to each of the Responsibilities and each of the experience areas listed above). 
• The names and contacts of three referees, and a daytime contact telephone number of each of them. 
• Copies of Academic Certificate and Transcripts for O’ level, A’ level – where applicable, Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate qualifications
• The names and contacts of your immediate supervisor(s) in the current job and two of your immediate previous jobs.
• Your daytime contact telephone number; and
• A statement and proof of current remuneration package

Please submit through the Kilimo Trust online recruitment system,
 https://erp.kilimotrust.org/jobs/detail/program-officer-matching-grant-management-01-position-65

addressed to theHuman Resource Manager

Closing Date: 2nd December 2025

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted