Overview

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) is recruiting a Director of Finance, Grants & Strategic Funding to support its next stage of institutional growth and long-term sustainability. Based in Kigali, Rwanda, this senior leadership role is designed for experienced finance professionals who understand both operational financial management and strategic funding development within international, development, or impact-driven organizations.

ACES operates as a pan-African platform focused on sustainable cooling and cold-chain solutions that contribute to climate resilience, food security, public health, and economic development across Africa. The organization combines training, donor-funded programmes, and investment-focused initiatives to scale practical solutions with measurable impact. As ACES transitions from donor dependency toward a more financially sustainable model, the institution is seeking a finance leader capable of strengthening governance systems while also supporting revenue diversification and investment readiness.

This opportunity may particularly interest professionals with experience in NGO finance, climate finance, development finance institutions, donor-funded programmes, grants management, or strategic investment planning. Candidates with strong exposure to financial modelling, fundraising frameworks, and institutional growth strategies are likely to find this position highly aligned with their expertise.

In the current landscape of sustainable development and climate-focused investment across Africa, organizations increasingly require finance leaders who can bridge compliance, accountability, and strategic expansion. This makes the ACES position more than a traditional finance role — it is also a strategic leadership opportunity connected to long-term continental impact.

For professionals searching for senior finance jobs in Rwanda, climate finance careers, NGO leadership opportunities, or international development recruitment opportunities in Africa, this position stands out because of its regional scope and strategic importance.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This role offers exposure to one of the fastest-growing sectors in international development: sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience financing. Cooling and cold-chain systems are increasingly recognized as critical components in agriculture, healthcare, food preservation, and economic stability, especially across developing economies.

Joining ACES provides an opportunity to contribute to projects and systems that may influence sustainable development policy and investment approaches across multiple African countries. Rather than working solely in back-office finance operations, the selected candidate will participate directly in shaping funding structures, institutional sustainability, and long-term investment strategies.

Professionals in this position may gain valuable experience in areas such as:

• Climate and blended finance structures
• Donor and investor engagement
• Strategic institutional growth
• Pan-African programme financing
• Financial sustainability planning
• Cross-sector partnership development

The role also combines operational leadership with strategic influence. Many finance professionals eventually seek positions where they can move beyond reporting and compliance into decision-making, investment planning, and organizational transformation. This opportunity appears structured around exactly that transition.

Another major advantage is the international and multidisciplinary nature of ACES itself. Working with donor agencies, development finance institutions, investors, training programmes, and implementation teams can significantly strengthen a candidate’s regional and global professional network.

For experienced professionals aiming to advance into executive finance leadership within NGOs, development organizations, or impact-investment institutions, this role may serve as a strong career milestone.

Application Tips

Candidates applying for this role should avoid submitting a generic finance CV. ACES is clearly looking for someone who combines financial discipline with strategic thinking and institutional growth experience. Tailoring your application carefully could make a significant difference.

Focus Your CV on Strategic Impact

Instead of listing responsibilities only, highlight measurable achievements such as:

• Grants successfully managed
• Budget sizes handled
• Revenue growth achieved
• Financial systems improved
• Audit outcomes
• Donor compliance performance
• Investment or fundraising support provided

Recruiters for senior finance roles often look for evidence of leadership impact rather than task completion alone.

Emphasize Donor and Development Finance Experience

Because the role involves grants management and investor engagement, applicants should clearly mention:

• Experience with donor-funded programmes
• Work with NGOs, INGOs, or DFIs
• Grant reporting systems
• Financial compliance frameworks
• Climate finance or blended finance exposure

If you have worked with organizations such as USAID, GIZ, EU-funded projects, UN agencies, African Development Bank initiatives, or similar institutions, make sure this experience is visible.

Customize Your Cover Letter

A strong cover letter should explain:

• Why sustainable development or climate-focused work interests you
• How your finance leadership experience aligns with ACES’ growth phase
• Your ability to support both governance and strategic financing
• Examples of scaling systems or strengthening financial sustainability

Avoid repeating your CV word-for-word.

Demonstrate Leadership and Communication Skills

This role includes board reporting, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership. Your application should reflect:

• Experience leading finance teams
• Collaboration with senior leadership
• Communication with donors or investors
• Policy or governance involvement

Apply Before the Deadline

Senior-level recruitment processes can become highly competitive near closing dates. Applying earlier may improve visibility before recruiters begin shortlisting.

Responsibilities

The Director of Finance, Grants & Strategic Funding will oversee several core operational and strategic functions within ACES.

Financial Management & Control

• Lead accounting operations, reporting systems, and financial transactions to ensure organizational financial stability
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow plans that support both daily operations and long-term institutional sustainability
• Monitor liquidity and financial performance to help leadership make informed strategic decisions
• Prepare monthly and annual reports for management and Board oversight, supporting transparency and governance
• Strengthen internal controls, policies, and compliance systems to reduce operational and financial risk
• Coordinate statutory audits and donor audits to maintain accountability standards
• Oversee payroll administration and financial operations management across the organization

Grants & Donor Management

• Supervise the full grant lifecycle, from budgeting and compliance to reporting and accountability
• Work closely with programme teams to align project implementation with approved financial frameworks
• Prepare donor financial reports and grant budgets accurately and on time
• Maintain productive relationships with funding partners and development stakeholders
• Monitor sub-grantee financial management processes and due diligence procedures
• Improve grant-tracking systems for stronger reporting accuracy and transparency

Revenue, Investment & Strategic Finance

• Design revenue-generation models linked to training, certification, and institutional services
• Support diversification of income streams as ACES moves toward financial sustainability
• Contribute to fundraising initiatives and proposal development
• Develop financial models, investment forecasts, and investor materials including pitch decks and data rooms
• Support engagement with investors and development finance institutions
• Assist with blended finance structuring and strategic financing approaches
• Align finance strategy with the organization’s long-term growth objectives

Team Leadership & Governance

• Build and manage a high-performing finance and grants team
• Strengthen financial management capacity across departments
• Promote accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement
• Present financial insights to executive leadership and governance bodies
• Support audit oversight, governance systems, and stakeholder communication

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• Professional qualification required, such as:
  • CPA
  • ACCA
  • CFA
  • CIMA

Professional certifications demonstrate advanced financial expertise and are often essential for senior leadership and governance roles.

Experience

Candidates should have proven experience in:

• Senior-level financial management
• Grants management and donor compliance
• Development finance or impact investment environments
• Financial strategy development
• Revenue modelling and forecasting
• Stakeholder engagement with donors, investors, or DFIs

Experience working in fast-growing or internationally funded organizations may be especially valuable.

Technical Skills

Strong candidates are expected to demonstrate:

• Financial modelling and forecasting expertise
• Budget management and reporting skills
• Audit coordination knowledge
• Strategic finance planning
• Understanding of blended finance structures
• Grant tracking and compliance systems

These skills are important because the role combines operational finance with long-term institutional sustainability planning.

Soft Skills

ACES is also seeking candidates with strong professional and interpersonal qualities, including:

• Strategic thinking
• Leadership and team management
• Communication and presentation skills
• Integrity and professionalism
• Adaptability in evolving organizational environments

Senior finance leaders are increasingly expected to combine analytical ability with relationship management and organizational leadership.

Additional Advantages

• ESG or Sustainable Investing certification is considered an added advantage
• Experience in climate-related sectors or sustainability-focused organizations may strengthen an application

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• An updated CV
• A professional cover letter

Applications must be sent to:

recruitment.aces@cleancooling.org

Applicants should clearly indicate:

“Director of Finance, Grants & Strategic Funding” in the email subject line.

Important Deadline

Applications close on:

15 May 2026 at 5:00 PM

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the organization. Candidates are encouraged to review their application documents carefully before submission to ensure professionalism, accuracy, and relevance to the position requirements.