Grants Coordinator – East & Southern Africa @East & Southern Africa: Permanent Fully Remote Role, Apply by 1 May 2026

Grants Coordinator – East & Southern Africa: Career Opportunity with Front Line Defenders

Published: April 2026

Front Line Defenders is currently recruiting a Grants Coordinator – East & Southern Africa, offering a unique opportunity for professionals passionate about human rights and protection work. This permanent, remote role is based in Africa and reports directly to the Director of Protection Grants.

About Front Line Defenders

Front Line Defenders is an international organization headquartered in Ireland, dedicated to protecting human rights defenders (HRDs) at risk. These individuals often face persecution due to their peaceful efforts to promote and defend human rights.

The organization provides practical support through:

• Protection grants
• Physical and digital security training
• Advocacy, lobbying, and global campaigning

Role Overview

The Grants Coordinator plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission by supporting HRDs facing immediate threats. The Protection Grants team is responsible for delivering fast, flexible, and effective responses to urgent protection needs.

This includes financial support for:

• Legal assistance
• Medical care
• Emergency relocation
• Security measures for individuals, families, and organizations

The Grants Coordinator ensures that grants are distributed efficiently while maintaining accountability, transparency, and a “do no harm” approach.

Key Responsibilities

The position involves managing the full lifecycle of protection grants and working closely with HRDs, partners, and internal teams. Core duties include:

Application Assessment and Verification

• Reviewing grant applications against eligibility criteria and organizational mandate
• Verifying risks and threats faced by applicants
• Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of proposed measures

Engagement and Communication

• Communicating directly with human rights defenders to understand their needs
• Providing guidance and assessing whether additional support (e.g., psychosocial assistance) is required
• Maintaining empathy and professionalism, even when delivering difficult decisions

Coordination and Collaboration

• Working with internal teams to ensure a holistic response to each case
• Coordinating with regional and international partners to avoid duplication of support
• Participating in regional meetings to identify trends and emerging risks

Grant Management and Reporting

• Managing high volumes of applications in a structured and timely manner
• Maintaining accurate documentation, including assessments, financial reports, and decisions
• Ensuring compliance with donor requirements and organizational standards
• Producing reports and analysis on grant impact and program effectiveness

Salary and Benefits

Front Line Defenders offers a competitive compensation package, including:

• Salary range: €36,241 – €66,700 per annum
• 26 days of annual leave
• Pension scheme
• Paid health insurance
• Income protection and life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Monthly well-being provisions

Candidate Requirements

To succeed in this role, candidates must demonstrate a strong combination of technical expertise, regional knowledge, and interpersonal skills.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• In-depth understanding of human rights issues in East and Southern Sub-Saharan Africa
• Ability to produce accurate, objective reports under pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders respectfully
• Proven experience working in fast-paced, emergency environments

Additional Experience

• Experience managing collaborative projects across teams and partners
• Familiarity with spreadsheets, databases, and information management systems
• Experience working in multicultural and high-stress environments

Why This Role Matters

This position is more than an administrative role it is a frontline opportunity to directly support individuals at risk. The Grants Coordinator contributes to strengthening resilience within human rights movements and ensures that urgent assistance reaches those who need it most.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit a CV and cover letter by 4:00 PM (Irish time) on May 1, 2026 via the official Front Line Defenders vacancies page.

APPLY HERE

This role offers a meaningful career path for professionals committed to human rights protection, combining strategic coordination with direct impact on the lives of defenders across East and Southern Africa.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.