The Skoll Global Threats Fund - San Francisco, CA

Grants and Program Associate, Climate and Water

Jeff Skoll launched the Skoll Global Threats Fund in 2009 with a mandate to drive large-scale global change on the most critical issues facing mankind. With a focus on four global threats, the organization identifies and supports innovative high-impact initiatives to combat climate change, water insecurity, pandemics, and nuclear proliferation. The Skoll Global Threats Fund (SGTF) is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Position Description
We are seeking a focused and energetic team player to help manage grants within the Climate Change and Water Security portfolios. Reporting to the Director of Climate Change and working closely with two program teams, this key staff member will help maintain relationships with partners and help manage a grants portfolio around both climate change and water security. S/he will actively track threat activity, grantee performance and results, and keep the team informed. As a focal point for coordinating team activity, the Grants and Program Associate will seek input and feedback from the Climate Change and Water Security teams, in order to support communication and continuous improvement of team performance.

Primary duties and responsibilities

Working closely with the Climate and Water Security teams, the Grants and Program Associate will:

• Use strong project management skills to support the team by tracking all grants and contracts from concept to conclusion, including:
  • Draft and track operational and grant budgets for the two threat areas, and manage initiative budget spreadsheets, as directed.
  • Draft and edit grant proposal summaries and recommendation memos for management and board review, and assist with memo revisions.
  • Professionally and respectfully respond to unsolicited proposals as needed.
  • Review and liaise with grantees on reporting requirements to ensure compliance.
  • Monitor grant processes and reporting, and participate in the development of processes to measure, learn from, and improve impact.
  • Manage grant payouts and track grantee and contractor compliance with grant and contract agreements.
  • Assist in maintaining partner relationships, including regularly checking in with grantees and key partners, and tracking deliverables.
  • Interact and manage projects as needed with staff at grantee organizations.
  • Support grant due diligence efforts, including research, financial due diligence, and reference checks.
  • Input and maintain grants data in Foundation Connect database.
  • Engage colleagues at Skoll Foundation for guidance on legal and grant matters, as needed. 

• Provide project management, operations, and planning support for the Climate and Water Security teams’ meetings, including:
  • Maintain and track actuals to keep the budget up to date with expenditures.
  • Develop and organize workshops, conferences, and events, coordinating with appropriate team staff.
  • Assist colleagues in building out work plans and operationalizing the strategies of the climate change and water security teams.
  • Identify and implement methods to improve processes and procedures.
  • Assist in drafting content for biweekly reports to our board.
  • Other duties as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Assets

• Basic knowledge of climate change and water security, including strategies used to address these issues.

• Ability to multi-task, maintain exceptional attention to detail, and proactively manage project timelines and deliverables.
• Desire to work with budgets, paired with experience using Excel or similar tools.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with positive attitude; desire and ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to problem solve and find creative solutions.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.

• Outstanding communication skills that manifest in high quality written documents, presentation and meeting materials, and verbal communication.
• Consensus builder who is tactful in interactions with partners and grantees.

• Ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion.
• Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Gmail Calendaring, and Salesforce.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, including experience working for a foundation or other grant making entity.
• Bachelor’s degree required; masters degree desired.
• Experience working on climate advocacy and/or global water security issues is strongly desired.

Compensation

The position is non-exempt, plus bonus potential. Benefits include employer paid medical, dental, vision, matching 403(b), and paid parking or transit subsidy.

Applicants

Send a cover letter, writing sample and resume to [email protected] indicating Grants and Program Associate, Climate and Water in the subject line by July 31, 2016.