Grant Manager
ZMB: Lusaka, ZMB: Frankfurt Zoological Society Zambia, ZMB-Grants and Fundraising, Local Employee, full-time, 5-7 years of experience
About the Project
The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is a global conservation organisation dedicated to protecting biodiversity and wilderness areas through resource protection and sustainable management, and promoting environmental and social equity. In Zambia, we have been working in partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) for nearly 40 years in North Luangwa National Park under the North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP) and, since 2017, in Nsumbu National Park through the Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme (NTCP).
FZS in Zambia focuses on field operations, ecological monitoring, endangered species recovery, and community engagement. With North Luangwa home to Zambia’s only black rhino population and Nsumbu marking significant conservation milestones with the recent reintroduction of lions, both landscapes are advancing ambitious, integrated conservation strategies. These ecological gains increasingly rely on strong resource and financial partnerships. The majority of activities conducted by NLCP / NTCP are thanks to donors including international government institutions, foundations and trusts, and private individuals.
About the Position
This position offers the opportunity to work with FZS Zambia in fundraising and resource development focusing on community engagement, governance, sustainable livelihoods, and human-wildlife coexistence across both programmes.
As the Grant Manager, you will drive FZS Zambia’s growth in securing and managing funding streams – from initial technical development to final reporting closeout – working closely with donors and project team staff. You will be responsible for contacting and communicating with donors, nurturing and building these relationships, and explore new funding opportunities.
You will contribute to conservation planning, budget tracking, and adaptive management in the North Luangwa and Nsumbu landscapes. Additionally, you will translate programme data and metrics into impactful reporting, leveraging FZS’s monitoring, evaluation, adaptation, research and learning (MEARL) framework to showcase results and share lessons learned.
Location: Lusaka, Zambia (preferred; remote with travel may be considered)
As the Grant Manager, you will drive FZS Zambia’s growth in securing and managing funding streams – from initial technical development to final reporting closeout – working closely with donors and project team staff. You will be responsible for contacting and communicating with donors, nurturing and building these relationships, and explore new funding opportunities.
You will contribute to conservation planning, budget tracking, and adaptive management in the North Luangwa and Nsumbu landscapes. Additionally, you will translate programme data and metrics into impactful reporting, leveraging FZS’s monitoring, evaluation, adaptation, research and learning (MEARL) framework to showcase results and share lessons learned.
Location: Lusaka, Zambia (preferred; remote with travel may be considered)
Your Tasks
- Collaborate with FZS Zambia programme teams to understand funding needs and identify opportunities to address gaps
- Develop and administer high-quality proposals and plans aligning with NLCP/NTCP’s strategy and donor requirements
- Ensure and complete process with internal / external bodies (FZS / donor) including guidelines, best practice, policies and compliance requirements
- Review award Budget vs. Actual for all grants for discussion in review meetings and follow up on burn rates to inform programmatic decisions
- Support the development of logic frameworks, risk analysis, M&E tables, and business models
- Review draft proposals, budgets, and supporting materials against requirements to ensure all guidelines are followed and all materials are in appropriate formats
- Coordinate timely and collate accurate donor reports, working closely with the programme, finance and MEARL teams
- Manage institutional knowledge and documentation related to donors, partners, funding and grants
- Align grant indicators and metric frameworks with the FZS Zambia MEARL framework.
- Share project outcomes, impacts, and lessons learned to support organisational learning and showcase FZS Zambia successes
- Assist with capacity building and training colleagues in e.g. grant writing skills and donor relations.
Your Profile
- University degree in Business Administration, Social Science, Conservation, or a related field
- Minimum 5+ years’ experience managing high-value donor-funded proposals, budget development and tracking, high-quality reporting, and grant administration
- Expertise in NGO grant funding, proposal design, development, and grant management
- Understanding of community-based conservation approaches
- Experience with donor regulations, reporting procedures, policies and grant management from large international development agencies such as USAID, EU, UN, DEFRA, etc.
- Fluent in English (German an advantage) with exceptional writing, editing, and attention to detail
- Strong organisational, time management, and analytical skills to handle competing priorities under pressure.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, etc.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, adaptable to diverse contexts and cultures.
- Willingness to travel as needed to remote and rural locations.
We Offer
- Engaging and meaningful work with a dynamic team that encourages independent and entrepreneurial thinking
- Opportunity to contribute towards the protection of impressive wilderness areas
- 2-year contract with probation period
- Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
- If based in Zambia, you will be supported to obtain a Zambian work permit
Your Application
Only candidates who meet the specified requirements should apply with a chronological Curriculum Vitae in PDF format of not more than 3 pages; a cover letter (including net salary expectations and earliest possible start date) describing grant management experience; and the names and email addresses of 3 contactable references with a brief description of your working relationship. Please send to:
Application deadline: 11th August 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.