Job Advert
About ACES
The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) is a high-impact, pan-African platform advancing sustainable cooling solutions to support climate resilience, food systems, public health, and economic development.
Operating at the intersection of innovation, capacity building, and investment, ACES combines:
- A pan-African Institute for training and certification
- An INGO platform delivering donor-funded programmes
- A growing commercial and investment arm supporting scalable solutions
ACES is now entering a critical phase of growth—transitioning from donor dependence towards a financially sustainable and investment-ready institution.
Position: Director of Finance, Grants & Strategic Funding
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Organisation: Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES)
Reporting to: Executive Director
Role Purpose
The Director of Finance, Grants & Strategic Funding will lead ACES’ financial function, ensuring strong financial governance, effective grant management, and the development of sustainable revenue and financing strategies.
The role will play a central part in positioning ACES as a financially resilient and investment-ready platform, supporting both programme delivery and long-term growth.
The Director will report to the Executive Director and lead a growing finance and grants team.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Management & Control
- Lead overall financial operations, including accounting, reporting, and transaction management
- Develop and manage budgets, financial forecasts, and cash flow planning
- Monitor financial performance and ensure adequate liquidity
- Prepare high-quality monthly and annual financial reports for management and Board oversight
- Establish and maintain robust internal controls, policies, and procedures
- Ensure compliance with statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements
- Lead audit processes, including statutory and donor audits
- Oversee payroll and financial administration
2. Grants & Donor Management
- Oversee the full lifecycle of grant management, ensuring compliance with donor requirements
- Coordinate with programme teams on planning, budgeting, and fund utilisation
- Lead preparation of donor financial reports and budgets
- Maintain strong relationships with donors and partners
- Oversee sub-grantee financial management, including due diligence and monitoring
- Strengthen systems for grant tracking and accountability
3. Revenue, Investment & Strategic Finance
- Develop and implement revenue models for training, certification, and services
- Support diversification of income streams
- Contribute to fundraising strategies and funding proposals
- Develop financial models, forecasts, and investment materials (pitch decks, data rooms)
- Support engagement with investors and development finance institutions
- Contribute to structuring financing approaches, including blended finance
- Align financial strategy with ACES’ long-term growth objectives
4. Team Leadership & Capacity Building
- Build and lead a high-performing finance and grants team
- Strengthen financial management capacity across the organisation
- Promote accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
5. Stakeholder Engagement & Governance
- Present financial insights to senior management and the Board
- Support governance processes, including audit and risk oversight
- Ensure clear financial communication with stakeholders
Candidate Profile
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
- Professional qualification (CFA, CPA, ACCA, or CIMA) required
- ESG or Sustainable Investing certification is an added advantage
Experience & Competencies
- Proven experience in senior finance roles, including grants management
- Experience in impact investment, climate finance, or development finance
- Strong financial modelling and analytical skills
- Experience developing financial strategies and funding frameworks
- Familiarity with donor funding and blended finance structures
- Experience engaging with donors, investors, or DFIs
- Strong leadership and team management experience
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong execution skills
- High integrity and professionalism
- Ability to thrive in a fast-growing environment
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Why Join ACES
This is a unique opportunity to help shape a pan-African institution at the forefront of climate, infrastructure, and sustainable development.
The successful candidate will contribute to building:
- A financially sustainable organisation
- Innovative funding and investment models
- A platform for scaling impact across Africa
How to Apply
- Please send your CV and a cover letter to recruitment.aces@cleancooling.org
- Clearly indicate “Director of Finance, Grants & Strategic Funding” in the subject line
- Application deadline: 15th May 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted