About the Department

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is an international, not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization. Together with more than 200 public research and industry allies worldwide, we use the power of partnership, innovation, open science, and advocacy to develop and deliver new treatments for neglected diseases that disproportionately impact millions of the world’s poorest people.

The Operations Department manages DNDi’s corporate infrastructure globally across eight locations through its Business Development, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems and Technology, Legal Affairs, and Project Management Office teams. The Department plays a central role in DNDi’s compliance and performance.

Overview

The Finance Manager - Grants Management is responsible for managing DNDi’s financial activities related to grant and budget management. This includes contributing to proposal development, supporting donor compliance and reporting processes, financial monitoring, and ensuring compliance with DNDi policies and applicable regulations throughout the grant lifecycle.

The position also contributes to project budget planning, financial forecasting, and the effective use of budgeting tools across the organization.

The role supports program teams in the effective financial management of grants and project activities, including project budget preparation, monitoring, and collaboration with external partners to ensure appropriate financial oversight and follow-up. In a collaborative international environment, finance plays a key role in supporting R&D projects and donor-funded projects while working closely with colleagues across functions and countries, and helping in strengthening financial management, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Senior Head of Financial Control, the Finance Manager - Grants Management plays a key role in ensuring that financial processes and compliance activities are carried out accurately, efficiently, and consistently.

As part of the global finance team, the Finance Manager contributes as a business partner to project teams, supporting the implementation and monitoring of global projects in line with organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Project teams, External Relations, and Finance teams:

• Lead the financial component of proposal development in collaboration with R&D, External Relations, and Finance teams, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and internal policies.
• Review and validate donor agreements and contracts prior to signature, ensuring clarity on financial terms, eligibility rules, and reporting obligations. Including provide guidance to internal teams and partners on donor financial conditions and implications for project implementation.
• Oversee financial management practices of implementing partners, ensuring compliance with donor agreements and DNDi policies, including providing guidance and support to partners on budgeting, reporting, and financial controls.
• Ensure that all financial reporting to donors is accurate, timely, and compliant with contractual, regulatory, and organizational requirements. Monitor compliance with donor rules (e.g. eligibility, procurement, VAT, timesheets) and escalate risks or discrepancies as needed.
• Contribute to organizational funding analysis, including forecasting income, tracking funding gaps, and supporting resource planning to support senior management in decision-making through analysis of funding trends, resource allocation, and financial performance of grants. Build trusted relationships with project teams, helping them understand the financial implications of decisions and supporting better planning and resource allocation.
• Support the preparation and coordination of donor audits in collaboration with Project teams, External Relations and Accounting teams. Ensure proper documentation, archiving, and traceability of donor financial information.
• Lead the financial coordination of donor audits, ensuring readiness, documentation completeness, and alignment with audit requirements.
• Act as a key point of contact for financial matters with donors and external partners, including participation in meetings and negotiations as required. Represent the function in internal working groups and contribute to cross-functional initiatives.
• Act as the finance systems champion, developing training material, coaching finance and project teams, and promoting consistent and effective use of finance tools across the organization.