Funding and Reporting Manager

BACKGROUND:

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Gambella National Park was established as a protected area in 1973 and is 4,575 km² in size. It forms the northern anchor of a much larger contiguous system, with a network of protected areas in southern Ethiopia and neighboring South Sudan. The park hosts several wildlife species including an important population of Nile Lechwe, Ethiopia’s largest population of elephant, healthy lion populations, one of the most endangered giraffe populations in the world and a shoebill population. Gambella also forms part of the white-eared kob migration between South Sudan and Ethiopia – the largest land mammal migration on earth comprising around 6 million animals.

JOB OVERVIEW:

Oversees the park’s grant portfolio, monitoring effective and compliant delivery of respective projects. This includes working closely with the financial manager to ensure correct allocations of donor funding and tracking burn rates, coordinating grant work plans and briefing the heads of department on key deliverables, providing required partner visibility and monitoring risks to grant project components’ delivery. Represents the park in the quarterly funding calls, debriefing APN funding and finance teams on your park’s funding needs, grant delivery and key operational updates.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maps out the park’s funding needs, and develops compelling funding packages, concept notes and proposals for fundraising among both private and institutional donors. Ensures the proposals are closely aligned with the park’s long-term objectives, business plan, approved budget and monitoring program.

• Coordinates and collates park reporting, both for internal and external purposes. This includes collaborating with the heads of departments to ensure the right metrics to capture the parks’ impact are being measured and data is being entered accurately into African Parks’ reporting systems. Next to developing timely and high-quality donor reports that reinforce our reputation, develops park factsheets for engagement events, shares monthly operational updates, makes the communications team aware of highlights and compiles analytical reports that inform data-based decision making and performance evaluations for the park.

• Coordinates or collates park-level surveys, case studies, data collection and analyses that inform impact assessments for donors and partners.

• Support the writing of operational documents such as business plans and special project descriptions.

• Develop concept notes and seek support from in-country partners for collaboration and funding.

• Craft compelling stories and narratives that distil complex project goals into relatable and engaging concepts for donors and partners.

• Develop templates, tools, and systems to streamline reporting processes.

• Assist in the development and implementation of new initiatives, recognizing the evolving needs of a young project.

• Provide support across various project areas as needed, demonstrating adaptability and willingness to contribute to diverse aspects of the project.

• Act as a bridge between field operations and donors to ensure transparent communication.

• Support capacity building for staff in grant management and reporting.

• Where needed, provides support to carbon credit or other ecosystem service valorisation processes, facilitates park visits from key stakeholders such as donors.

  Academic & experience required

• A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, International Development, Environmental Science, Conservation or a related field.

• A Master’s degree is preferred.

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in grants management, fundraising, and donor reporting, preferably in an international NGO. Institutional funding experience preferred.

• Proven track record of successfully securing and managing grants from institutional donors (e.g., USAID, EU, DFID) and private foundations.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write compelling funding proposals and donor reports.

• Advanced proficiency in budgeting and financial reporting.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain donor relationships.

• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in work.

• Willingness to travel to remote field locations and adapt to challenging environments.

• Fluency in English; knowledge of Arabic or local languages is advantageous.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work in diverse cultural settings.