Application Guide
How to Apply for Grants and Contracts Officer
at WoMin
🏢 About WoMin
WoMin is a unique African ecofeminist alliance that directly challenges the extractive industry's impact on women and communities, advocating for a post-extractivist, ecologically just alternative. Working here means contributing to a pan-African movement that places women at the center of environmental and social justice, offering a rare opportunity to align your skills with a transformative mission.
About This Role
As the Grants and Contracts Officer, you will be the backbone of WoMin's donor accountability, ensuring that grants are managed with precision and compliance, while also supporting partnership contracts. Your work will directly enable WoMin to maintain trust with funders and partners, allowing the organization to focus on its mission without administrative disruptions. This role is impactful because it safeguards the financial and ethical integrity of a feminist alliance working on the frontlines of environmental justice.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve updating the grants register with new donor payments, reviewing a partner contract for compliance, and sending reminders to program staff about an upcoming report deadline. You'll also spend time liaising with the Operations & Grants Manager to ensure financial and narrative reports align, and perhaps setting up a new folder structure for an upcoming audit. Your day is a mix of meticulous record-keeping, proactive communication, and supporting the team to stay on track with donor commitments.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who WoMin Is Looking For
- Has at least 3-5 years of experience in grants administration, donor compliance, or financial management, preferably within NGOs or social justice organizations.
- Possesses a keen eye for detail and is highly organized, with a proven ability to maintain accurate registers and track multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Understands the nuances of donor reporting (e.g., for foundations, bilateral donors) and can navigate complex compliance requirements, especially those relevant to African contexts.
- Is comfortable working remotely across different time zones, with strong digital literacy and experience using tools like spreadsheets, CRM systems, or grant management software.
- Aligns with WoMin's ecofeminist values and is committed to supporting women-led, community-based movements in Africa.
📝 Tips for Applying to WoMin
In your CV and cover letter, explicitly highlight your experience with donor reporting schedules and managing grants registers, using specific examples of how you ensured compliance and met deadlines.
Research WoMin's recent publications and campaigns (e.g., on extractives in Mozambique or Nigeria) and subtly reference them in your application to show genuine interest in their work.
Since the role includes information management, emphasize any experience you have with database management or creating efficient filing systems, and mention specific tools you've used (e.g., Salesforce, Airtable).
Address your ability to work remotely in Africa: mention your time zone, internet reliability, and any prior experience collaborating with multinational teams.
Tailor your cover letter to reflect an understanding of ecofeminism and the importance of donor accountability in supporting grassroots movements, rather than just focusing on administrative tasks.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your motivation for wanting to support WoMin's mission specifically, and how your personal values align with ecofeminist principles.", 'Your concrete achievements in grants management, such as improving reporting efficiency, reducing compliance issues, or successfully auditing donor funds.', 'Your ability to collaborate with program teams and provide timely reminders without being intrusive, demonstrating your communication and interpersonal skills.', 'Your experience with remote work and your readiness to manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic, small-team environment.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read WoMin's website and recent annual reports to understand their funding sources and the types of donors they work with.
- → Familiarize yourself with their campaigns and publications on extractive industries and women's rights, particularly in Southern and East Africa.
- → Look up any recent news about WoMin's partnerships or projects to speak intelligently about their current work.
- → Understand the concept of ecofeminism and how it applies to the African context, as this will likely be a core part of the organizational culture.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic application—failing to mention WoMin's mission or your understanding of ecofeminism will make your application seem careless.
- Avoid emphasizing experience with corporate or government grants without connecting it to the non-profit/social justice sector, as this may raise questions about your alignment.
- Don't overlook the information management aspect; not addressing your ability to handle data and maintain organized systems could be a missed opportunity.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: September 20, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!