Relationship Manager: Northern Africa

Relationship Manager Equator North

Grantmaking Division | Location: Stellenbosch

About the Role

This is a growth opportunity role for an experienced relationship practitioner ready to take on greater depth and responsibility within Mergon's Equator North portfolio. The successful candidate will be based at Mergon's Stellenbosch office, working as part of a close-knit grantmaking team.

Equator North is one of Mergon's most dynamic and complex grantmaking regions, spanning countries north of the equator across Central and East Africa, and extending into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The role involves building and stewarding trust-based partnerships with church leaders and ministry networks across this geographically and culturally diverse region with regular travel into the field.

This role offers a genuine opportunity to grow within a collaborative, high-calibre team, to deepen your understanding of African ministry, and to contribute meaningfully to strategic conversations about the region.

We are looking for someone who brings demonstrable experience in partnership or relationship management, thinks strategically, and has the maturity and interpersonal depth to represent Mergon well with senior ministry leaders.

Key Responsibilities

Partner Discernment and Development

• Identify and cultivate a pipeline of ministry partners aligned with the Equator North regional strategy.
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with church leaders, ministry networks, and practitioners across the region.
• Conduct thorough relational due diligence to assess organisational health, spiritual vitality, leadership, governance, and strategic fit.
• Develop clear partnership recommendations, grant motivations, and partner assessments.

Relationship Management

• Nurture meaningful, trust-based relationships with partners, marked by humility, respect, and cultural sensitivity.
• Manage partnership rhythms including communication, reporting, renewal processes, and follow-up actions.
• Track partner progress and ensure reporting is meaningful, proportionate, and accurate.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate partner records in Salesforce.

Stewardship and Execution

• Support grant oversight against agreed objectives, budgets, timelines, and reporting requirements.
• Identify risks early, communicate them clearly, and remain constructive and solutions-focused.
• Take ownership of processes, manage multiple deadlines and workflows simultaneously.
• Prepare clear summaries, meeting notes, and recommendations for internal decision-making.

Strategy and Regional Insight

• Contribute meaningfully to the development of Equator North regional strategy -- offering contextual insight and strategic input alongside day-to-day execution.
• Help identify strategic gaps, emerging leaders, and collaboration opportunities within the region.
• Bring a learning posture that translates partner and field insight into better grantmaking practice.

Team and Culture

• Work closely with the Head: Grantmaking and wider team for strong alignment and shared learning.
• Represent Mergon with integrity, professionalism, humility, and warmth in all engagements.
• Contribute to a healthy, faith-filled, collaborative team culture.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum qualification: Matric/Secondary School Certificate
• Ideal: Tertiary qualification in a relevant field (theology, social development, non-profit leadership, or related).
• 7-10 years' experience in cross-cultural partnership management, grantmaking, ministry leadership, or related roles.
• Demonstrated leadership capability and experience contributing to strategy -- beyond execution level.
• Strong existing knowledge of and networks within the Equator North regional context.
• Strong relational intelligence, able to build trust across cultures and engage senior ministry leaders.
• Excellent administrative discipline, project management capability, and follow-through.
• Strong written and verbal English; proficiency in a relevant regional language is a significant advantage.
• Proficient in Salesforce (or equivalent CRM), digital collaboration tools, and MS Office.
• Regular travel to all regions required (40-60 days per year)

Faith and Character

• Strong, mature Christian faith with a posture of humility, discernment, and prayerfulness.
• Cultural sensitivity and spiritual maturity across diverse African and Middle Eastern contexts.
• High levels of discretion, personal accountability, and integrity.
• A genuine learning posture eager to grow, be stretched, and contribute to a high-calibre team.
• A genuine passion for the ministry partners and communities Mergon serves.

Invitation to Apply

If you are an experienced relationship manager with depth, strategic instinct, and a heart for Africa's Church, and you are looking for a role where you can grow into greater responsibility, we would love to hear from you.

This is a rare opportunity to join a Stellenbosch-based team that works across 30 countries, walks alongside extraordinary ministry leaders, and invests for lasting Kingdom impact across one of the world's most complex and fruitful grantmaking regions.

Applicants must be South African citizens or meet the legal requirements for full-time employment in South Africa.