Grants Officer

Role overview

Midlands State University is inviting applications for a full-time Grants Officer position within the Research and Innovation Division. This opportunity is open as a re-advertisement for a suitably qualified and experienced professional to support grant and consultancy activities across the University.

Qualifications and experience

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• A master’s degree will be considered an added advantage.
• Applicants should have at least 1 year of relevant experience in research grants and consultancy management, covering funding opportunity identification, proposal preparation, grant acquisition, contract negotiation, project delivery, financial and technical reporting, donor compliance, and post-award grant administration.

Key duties

• Oversee and manage external funding sources.
• Guide researchers on grants and consultancy funding rules, procedures, and policy requirements.
• Help identify research and innovation funding opportunities.
• Support academic staff in developing research proposals, contracts, subcontracts, agreements, budgets, and supporting documentation, while interpreting funding requirements.
• Lead workshops on grant writing, development, compliance, and related support.
• Coordinate grant and consultancy sub-awards as well as post-award processes.
• Help ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the expected standard.
• Work with Monitoring and Evaluation officers to track funded project progress against set objectives.
• Liaise with the Bursar’s Division to monitor grant and consultancy funds, review procurement requests, and confirm that financial and narrative reports accurately capture outputs and milestones.
• Prepare financial reports in consultation with the Bursar.
• Ensure compliance with both funder and institutional policies and procedures.
• Support proper grant closure in line with donor expectations.
• Carry out other duties assigned by the Research Manager.

Additional requirements

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities, and be able to work effectively with people at all levels inside and outside the University.

Equal opportunity note

Midlands State University is an equal opportunity employer. In support of gender parity, female candidates are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Applicants must prepare a single merged PDF containing an application letter, certified copies of certificates and transcripts, national identification, and a CV with full personal details. The CV should include full names, date of birth, qualifications, experience, current salary, availability date, contact details, and the names and addresses of three referees. The package should be addressed to the Deputy Registrar – Human Resource and emailed to academicrecruitment@staff.msu.ac.zw. The email subject should clearly state the post applied for.

Important notes

• Applications that do not strictly follow the submission instructions will be automatically rejected.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date

Applications close on 17 July 2026.

Qualifications for international applicants

Candidates with international qualifications must include a ZIMCHE qualifications assessment report.