Director of Finance, Grants & Strategic Funding at Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain

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.

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 

• 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