External Consultant, Grassroots Grant Assistance

About this role

The Embassy of Japan in Tanzania is recruiting a local Japanese external contractor to support the Grassroots Grant Assistance programme, a flagship component of Japan\'s Official Development Assistance implemented through diplomatic missions abroad. This programme provides grant funding to small-scale development projects proposed by local NGOs, community groups, and governmental bodies operating in Tanzania, and the appointed contractor will assist the Embassy in managing the full project cycle from application through completion. Core responsibilities include conducting preliminary surveys and preparing assessment materials for incoming grant applications, evaluating the operational capacity of applicant organisations, and reviewing site-specific conditions and implementation risks. The contractor will also monitor active and completed projects through field visits, stakeholder consultations, and regular reporting, maintaining detailed monitoring reports and financial records throughout.

Additional duties encompass logistical support for grant agreement signing ceremonies and project handover events, along with broader liaison and coordination tasks with implementing partners. Candidates must hold a bachelor\'s degree or higher and demonstrate professional-level English proficiency sufficient for coordinating with counterpart agencies, preparing documentation, and conducting negotiations. Swahili language ability is considered an advantage. Applicants should possess basic computer literacy in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with development cooperation knowledge or prior experience in related fields.

Strong interpersonal and representational skills are essential, as the role involves engaging with diverse stakeholders across multiple simultaneous projects. The contractor must be in good physical and mental health to conduct fieldwork involving long-distance travel to remote areas within Tanzania. The appointment is based at the Embassy of Japan in Dar es Salaam, with a contract term running from September 2026 through March 2027 and the possibility of renewal for up to three years subject to mutual agreement and annual budget availability. Working hours follow the Embassy\'s standard schedule with no overtime requirements, and weekends are designated as rest days.