Administrative Assistant (Grants), Gates Foundation Partnerships

Partners In Health; Mississippi; On-site; USD 18,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) seeks an Administrative Assistant (Grants) to support grants administration for Gates Foundation partnerships. The role involves coordinating meetings, travel, documentation, and reporting, under the Head of Grants.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least one year of administrative or grants experience, with fluency in English and a willingness to work in Kigali, Rwanda with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related field.
• At least one year of relevant administrative or grants support experience.
• Fluency in English required; Kinyarwanda preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to grant activities.
• Coordinate meetings, travel, and related documentation for grants staff.
• Prepare agendas, minutes, and follow up on action points.
• Assist in compiling financial and programmatic information for reporting.
• Maintain donor and project documentation and records.

Skills

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related field

Job description

Job Title: Administrative Assistant (Grants), Gates Foundation Partnerships

Position Details

Reports To: Head of Grants

Location: Kigali, Rwanda with occasional travel as required.

Position Type: Full-time, fixed-term, three years

Direct Reports: None

Key Working Relationships: Lead Gates Foundation Partnerships; Administrative Assistant (Grant), Senior Advisor and Project Coordinator; Head of Grants; Finance and Grants Management; ANA, ANN and Jhpiego

Background

With support from the Gates Foundation, UGHE is expected to serve as the primary grant recipient and institutional steward for investments supporting the African Neonatal Association (ANA), the African Neonatal Network (ANN), and government‑led neonatal respiratory care investment roadmaps implemented with Jhpiego. UGHE will administer grants and subawards, oversee financial and programmatic accountability, and report progress and results to the Foundation. With the increasing number of Gates Foundation investments, moving towards a single account and oversight lead is needed.

Purpose of the Job

The Administrative Assistant (Grants) will provide administrative documentation, coordination and operational support to the investments through the grant’s life cycle.

The Administrative Assistant (Grants) will support the effective administration of grants by maintaining accurate records, coordinating communication and meetings, tracking deadlines and deliverables, organizing grant documentation, and facilitating timely follow‑up on administrative and reporting requirements.

The role contributes to efficient grant administration, compliance with UGHE policies and donor requirements, and effective collaboration among the Grants Management team, finance, program teams, and external funding partners.

Key Responsibilities

• General Administration
• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the project activities implantation.
• Coordinate meetings, appointments, workshops, training sessions, and other project-related activities.
• Prepare meeting agendas, take minutes, maintain attendance records, and follow up on action points.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, logistics, and related documentation for grants staff and project activities.
• Prepare routine correspondence, memos, presentations, and other administrative documents.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Grants Documentation and Records Management
• Follow up with project teams, Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, and other relevant departments to obtain required information and documentation.
• Assist in compiling financial and programmatic information required for internal monitoring and donor reporting.
• Communication and Stakeholders Coordination
• Maintain contact lists and stakeholder directories for donor and implementing partners.
• Assist in compiling grants close out files and support the coordination of the final review meetings.

Qualifications, Knowledge, And Skills

• Academic qualifications
• A bachelor's degree in business administration, Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Experience
• At least one year of relevant experience in administrative support, project administration, grants administration, or related field.
• Experience working with a university, research institution, NGO, or donor-funded organization is an advantage.
• Technical competencies
• Demonstrated strength in relevant computer software including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Fluency in English is required, proficiency in Kinyarwanda is preferred.
• Superior attention to detail and adaptability to rapidly changing work environments.
• Commitment to Global Health Equity and Social Justice .
• Behavioral competencies
• Demonstrated competence in assessing priorities and managing a variety of activities in a time‑sensitive environment.
• Ability to make decisions based on data findings.
• Exemplars interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, start‑up environment leading to new initiatives.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with culturally diverse staff across departments and countries.
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated tactical thinking and analytical skills.
• Good judgment and creative problem‑solving.
• Possess diplomatic instincts, the ability to gracefully and humbly work within challenging professional contexts requiring tact and judgment.

University of Global Health Equity is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Organizational Profile

The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in healthcare delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015 with its flagship degree program: the Master of Science in Global Health Delivery. Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system.

UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non‑profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high‑quality health care to some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu Buzima—PIH’s sister organization—and our government partners have driven innovation for a decade.

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Sexual Harassment

At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work—including community members—as well as our students, contractors, staff, and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre‑employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants' previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.