Grants Officer

The Position

We are looking for a Grants Officer who can coordinate our grants team and support diverse tasks that include research, ideation and writing of proposals. In this role you’ll be a key contributor to the continued existence of Second Tree, a small, grassroots NGO that is dependent on grants to survive.

To do this successfully, you will employ meticulous time-management and organization skills, as juggling multiple tasks with competing deadlines is common in this role. You’ll also be able to work efficiently independently, managing your own time and tasks; and in a team, overseeing project timelines and ensuring deadlines are met.

You’ll have demonstrable writing experience and the ability to communicate professionally in English. You will also have experience researching and/or writing grants, producing content that is compelling and that will help Second Tree secure new funding streams. Finally, you’ll have an adaptable and flexible attitude, knowing that problem-solving and meeting tight deadlines are inevitable aspects of this role.

The role will include:

• Researching and identifying new grant opportunities on a weekly basis;
• Summarizing relevant grant opportunities and suggest how to best respond and comply with them;
• Researching information and data necessary for grants and grant reporting;
• Managing the organization of proposals and other documents created by the grants team;
• Supporting the development of outlines, timelines, staffing and budgets for grants according to funding guidelines;
• Supporting grants team with proposal writing;
• Creating timelines and coordinating team to ensure deadlines are met;
• Maintaining necessary records, files, reports, databases, and resource materials for Grants team;
• Working with the wider Second Tree team to ensure that all project proposals align with organisational, and program strategies;
• Establishing and maintain connections with funding bodies;
• Performing other duties as assigned;

Skills Required:

• Ability to professionally communicate in English (verbally and in writing);
• Ability to compile and maintain a variety of documents needed for the research, monitoring, development and submission of a proposal;
• Ability to read, comprehend, interpret, summarise and follow proposal guidelines;
• Ability to conduct thorough, high-quality, independent research;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to manage and prioritize projects effectively to meet team and proposal deadlines;
• Ability to work to tight deadlines with flexibility and problem-solving attitude;
• Ability to hold team members accountable to tight deadlines

Skills Desired:

• Working knowledge of project management techniques such as LFA;
• Knowledge of and experience with grant-giving bodies and other external funding sources (e.g. European Commission);

What We Offer:

• Accommodation in a shared house.
• Transportation to/from work.
• After completion of a three-month trial, if you commit long-term, small monthly expenses refund.

We believe that a good proposal must embody the spirit of the organization and the cause it is asking funding for. In order for this to happen, the successful candidate will be encouraged to join us on the ground and immerse themselves in our work. In addition to coordinating the grant team (not a full time position), your participation could take on many forms, from support in the education programs to the delivery of workshops and expeditions with the Youth Scouts – we look forward to hearing your ideas on how best to apply your skills in this context. By coming here, you would gain first-hand experience of the situation on the ground, working in a grassroots organization with a small but dedicated team. This immersion will give you a solid sense of our work, our mission and our approach – which would facilitate your ability to attract supporters.

We have two volunteer houses that can host up to nine people where long-term volunteers are accommodated. Some volunteers choose to rent their own accommodation. In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the volunteer houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the volunteer houses are full, this would allow us to offer a volunteering opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

We encourage applicants to join us in person, but if this is not possible we will consider remote applications for this role.