AGWA's Hiring: Grant Compliance & Administration Manager
Title: Grant Compliance & Administration Manager
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Term: Limited full-time, 2-yr contract with option to extend, based on available funding
Company Background
The Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) is an international members-based NGO working to develop, support, and mainstream climate resilience through the medium of water resources via both technical programs and policy processes. AGWA is made up of over 2700 members, largely professionals from the water and climate communities representing utilities, academia, development banks, NGOs, government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector. A small secretariat runs the daily operations of AGWA, while many of its initiatives are crowd-sourced across the network. AGWA’s headquarters are based in Oregon, USA, but activities occur globally.
AGWA’s work culture is dynamic and fast moving and requires an independent, self-motivated and self-directed approach, with the flexibility to work across time zones, levels of formality, and culture. Every day is a trust fall at AGWA – we are a small but hard-working, innovative, and deeply collaborative team, and our organization punches well over its weight. We may have more in common with a high-tech startup in our work culture than a more traditional NGO or think tank. You will leverage and enhance your own network of resources and partners over the course of this project. We expect staff to communicate progress, problems, and solutions early and often in a deeply collaborative, practical, and (if possible) humble and even humorous way. We find that investigation, creativity, and learning are critical for successful outcomes for most of our projects. AGWA will stretch you! We hope you will stretch us in turn. Given our small size, the ability to troubleshoot is essential. So is the ability to ask for and receive help.
Job Summary
As Grant Compliance & Administration Manager at AGWA, you will play a key role in overseeing the administration of AGWA’s grant agreements. Most of our portfolio of work is funded by a mix of institutional donors, foundations, government agencies, and other grant-making entities. You will work closely with AGWA’s various project leads, an external bookkeeping team, project partners, and external funders while reporting to the Chief Operating Officer.
The role will be split among different projects, but a significant portion of your time will be dedicated to a large, multi-year initiative called the Water Resilience Tracker for National Climate Planning, which we see as a flagship project to successfully mainstream water resilience within national and subnational planning processes.
You will be responsible for general grants management, particularly around elements of administration, reporting, and finances. This will include financial tracking and forecasting, preparing financial reports, contributing to technical progress reports, and supporting the tracking of indicators for grant progress. You will play a vital role ensuring AGWA's compliance with grant terms and internal alignment across projects. Your work will help maintain efficient and effective administrative processes, allowing AGWA to deliver on grant commitments and support ongoing organizational growth. Tasks may include supporting proposal budgeting, supporting proposal development, identifying new funding opportunities, advising on budget structures, and advising on staffing and financial management.
Many of AGWA’s grants are carried out as part of a consortium. You will be expected to liaise with external project partners (individuals or organizations) and AGWA’s various consultants around aspects of contracting, invoicing, and activity reporting.
Job Responsibilities
Grant Compliance and Financial Management – 60%
Grant Expense Tracking & Finance Coordination
Collaborate with AGWA staff to track and report all grant-related expenses. This will include activities such as preparing quarterly donor reports and completion reports.
Coordinate with project staff and support staff to ensure accurate and timely expense reporting and receipt tracking, particularly around travel.
Liaise with AGWA’s COO around grant-related expenses associated with staff payroll.
Support AGWA’s COO and external bookkeepers as they prepare organizational financial reports by providing them with any necessary grant-related information.
Coordinate with AGWA’s COO to ensure prompt payment for consultants and subawards.
Assist the COO in submitting and tracking invoices (Accounts Receivable) as part of grant payments.
Grant Budget Management
Oversee grant budgets by tracking burn rate, spend-down, and forecasting expenditures based on grant activity.
Contract & Agreement Management
Work with the COO to manage contracts and agreements. This will include preparing and overseeing subawards to partners and consultants responsible for carrying out project activities and ensuring compliance with relevant tax authorities.
Audit & Compliance Support
Participating in post-award reviews or audits and addressing any issues.
Collaboration and Coordination
Engage with project leads and donors to clarify, interpret, and resolve grant-related issues.
Support project leads in their administrative interactions with consultants, subawardees, and external partners.
Process Improvement
Help to improve the overall grants management infrastructure and processes at AGWA. Identify the policies, procedures, and resources needed to help AGWA grow as a nonprofit organization, optimizing the grant administration process.
Grant Reporting – 20%
Ensure timely submission of grant reports (progress & financial), maintaining compliance with grant terms and conditions.
Coordinate the efficient collection of reporting input information from staff, consultants, and subgrantees.
Submit final reports with approvals from the COO, Exec. Director, and other relevant parties.
Engage with project leads to ensure timely progress of grant-related deliverables for reporting and payment purposes.
Coordinate with AGWA’s COO and project leads to prepare other documentation and reports as requested by donors.
Development – 20%
Support AGWA staff and contractors in preparing compelling grant proposals and letters of inquiry to donor agencies, paying close attention to timelines, deadlines, and submission requirements.
Work with the COO to develop proposal budgets that incorporate the organizational forecasts and overhead needed prior to approaching donors.
Research funding opportunities aligned with the nonprofit’s mission.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, public administration, finance).
Minimum of 4 years of proven experience in nonprofit grant development, management, and compliance, ideally dealing with international grant agreements or foreign currency issues. Experience managing grants from diverse sources, including foundations, corporations, and government agencies is preferred.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting for grants.
Exceptional attention to detail, especially with financial reporting.
Proven ability to manage multiple grant agreements and projects with varying requirements and reporting processes.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work effectively in a remote setting.
Experience and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace. Experience with grant management software is a bonus.
Fluency in English is required; fluency in other languages is an advantage.
Location
This position can be carried out remotely from within the U.S. but will require regular meetings and close coordination with members of the AGWA Secretariat. Strong preference will be given to candidates who are located in the U.S. Pacific Northwest region or Northwest Arkansas where existing AGWA staff are based.
Benefits
Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Generous benefits package, including healthcare stipend, retirement plan, remote work support, and paid time off.
Support for ongoing learning and growth.
Meaningful work with a dedicated team committed to making a difference in efforts to build climate resilience at local, national, and global levels.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (grant proposal or report) to Alex Mauroner. Applications are due by 6 December.