Grants Manager (East Africa)

Role: Full time with flexibility to consider 4 days per week for the right candidate Location: The candidate would ideally be based in either Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, or Rwanda Reports to: Director of Grants who is based in Canada Travel: In person visits and meetings with our grantees across our granting countries Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The final deadline is Friday 12th December 2025, but the position may be filled earlier for the right candidate, so early applications are strongly encouraged. Start date: The position is available commencing January 2026.About The Peter Cundill FoundationThe Peter Cundill Foundation is a Bermuda-based trust established in 2012 following the death of the renowned Canadian value investor and philanthropist, Francis Peter Cundill. The Foundation applies Peter’s principles of deep value investing and thoughtful engagement to its philanthropic work, supporting organisations that improve education and promote the welfare of children and young people in Canada, the UK, Bermuda and East Africa.The portfolios in Canada, UK and East Africa are run by a dedicated Grants Manager, who reports to the Director of Grants in Canada. The Foundation is overseen by a Board of highly committed, engaged and professional Trustees. All the members of the Foundation are driven by a genuine enthusiasm for the work they fund, and a deep humility in the stewardship of Peter Cundill’s legacy. The Grants Manager will be expected to embody these values – approaching the role with integrity, openness, and a commitment to learning and collaboration. Learn more: www.thepetercundillfoundation.com About the Role The Grants Manager (East Africa) will oversee and build upon a portfolio of 19 active grantee partners, while identifying and assessing promising new opportunities aligned with the Foundation’s mission to advance the education and wellbeing of children and young people. The role requires a balance of analytical rigour, relationship management and strategic insight – ensuring that each partnership is well-supported and aligned with the Foundation’s mission.  Key Responsibilities • Manage the East Africa portfolio of grantee partners, building strong relationships and evaluating governance, financials, operations, programmes and impact.• Identify and assess new funding opportunities, presenting high-potential partners and recommendations to the Board.• Support delivery of the Foundation’s five-year strategy and continuous improvement of grant-making systems and processes.• Conduct portfolio analyses and sector reviews, providing comparative insights and identifying opportunities to strengthen the portfolio.• Organise and lead virtual and in-person meetings and site visits with grantee partners and those under consideration for the East Africa portfolio.• Work with the Director of Grants to expand the Foundation’s presence and reputation within East Africa’s and the global philanthropic community and education sector.• Build relationships with peer funders to explore co-funding, collaboration and shared learning opportunities.• Contribute to other regional portfolios (Canada and UK) when required, in line with team priorities and capacity.• Undertake additional tasks that support the Foundation’s goals and the effective delivery of its strategy. Candidate Profile • 10+ years’ professional experience, including at least 5 years in decision-making roles within philanthropy or the non-profit sector in East Africa, ideally in education.• Self-motivated and highly organised with strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.• Deep understanding of the political economy of education in East Africa, and what constitutes an effective non-profit organisation – including governance, finance, programme design and impact measurement.• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to produce clear, concise and insightful reports and information briefs of the highest quality.• Strong emotional intelligence, maturity and cultural sensitivity, with the ability to effectively navigate complex grantor/grantee relationships.• Demonstrated success in building relationships and partnerships with both non-profit organisations and philanthropic organisations.How to Apply Please submit your CV, a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability, and two samples of your own written work to hannahmay@pcf.foundation by midnight on Friday 12th December 2025.Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly encouraged.