Grants Officer, China & Southeast Asia

About Sequoia Climate Foundation

Sequoia Climate Foundation is a new philanthropy that seeks to decarbonize the world economy at a speed and scale equal to the challenge. We support bold strategies and efforts that will have both a near-term impact and the greatest probability of long-term success. We believe that solving climate change requires the adoption of ambitious, evidence-based policy solutions that transform markets, advance clean technology, and lead to large-scale change. Our focus areas include power, transportation, buildings, industry, land use, agriculture and forestry, finance, communications, movement building, and public engagement. Sequoia Climate Foundation is active in major emitting geographies, including China, the United States, India, and the European Union, among others. We are dedicated to building the political will and powerful coalitions needed to achieve these bold policy solutions.

• Our office and staff are based in Irvine, California.
• For more information on Sequoia Climate Foundation, please visit the website here.

The Opportunity

The Grants Officer, China & Southeast Asia will work across Sequoia’s program areas to ensure effective and efficient grantmaking, while providing dedicated support to the China & Southeast Asia program team. They will be responsible for partnering with program staff and serving as a resource and thought partner on anything related to grants operations and management. Additionally, they will lead and support on various projects with in the Grantmaking Department. This role will support the day-to-day operations of the grantmaking process in both compliance and best-practices. The Grants Officer is also responsible for understanding grant compliance and grantmaking practices supporting the programmatic goals across the foundation.

This position requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, comfort with ambiguity in a changing environment, relationship-building, and project management skills. They will report to the Director of Grantmaking Operations and work closely with colleagues across Sequoia Climate Foundation and external partners, including peer funders and grantees.

This role will provide support to the China & Southeast Asia team, which will include the flexibility to work across time zones as needed and bring a cultural competency lens to their work. Fluency in language spoken in Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) is strongly preferred. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is self-starter and will enjoy supporting Sequoia’s portfolio in the growing and emergency body of work.

• Location: Irvine, CA
• Type: Hybrid Role (In-person 3 days per week and remote 2 days per week)
• Status: Full Time
• Compensation: $110,000 – $150,000 a year
• Position: Grants Officer, China & Southeast Asia

Candidate Profile

The Grants Officer will be responsible for the following:

• Supports the full lifecycle of all grants, from concept through all diligence and compliance processes to reporting and grant close.
• Promote and create a learning and knowledge-sharing culture around grants and grant practices to support program staff.
• Project management for various grantmaking operations projects across the organization.
• Helps translate the Sequoia mission and values into grantmaking process and practice.
• Partners with program and legal staff to ensure that all administrative, legal, and tax compliance of grants are met.
• Collaborates with the Evaluation and Learning (E&L) Department to ensure that strategic reflection and reporting requirements are met.
• Drive proactive communication across internal stakeholders to promote effective change management.
• Help set norms for internal collaboration.
• Understand the roles and workflows across the entire grantmaking process and strive for continuous improvement around gaps/barriers. Facilitate input gathering from staff for improvements and efficiencies.
• Ability and flexibility to support grantmaking across different time zones and geographies, specifically China & Southeast Asia.
• Manages and ensures data integrity for Sequoia’s grants management platform.
• Provides counsel and support to staff on how to solve potential issues and challenges that may be presented by a grant or grantee, such as organization status, certain legal requirements, and other questions.
• Approaches the work with a grantee-centric and collaborative mindset.
• Represents the Grantmaking Operations team in foundation-wide initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Integrity: Commitment to Sequoia Climate Fund’s mission and values.
• Inspirational Leadership: Demonstrated values-based, results-driven leadership.
• Project management experience, particularly with large-scale projects.
• Collegiality: Strong work ethic and experience working collaboratively with a team.
• Efficiency/Initiative: Ability to learn quickly, juggle multiple tasks, prioritize effectively and meet deadlines.
• Quality/Compliance: Attention to detail and timelines.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively, collaboratively, and diplomatically across a broad range of internal and external constituents.
• Agility: Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations while exercising good judgement.
• Data management experience, familiarity with data systems and business processes.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

• A minimum of five – seven years of professional experience working in a similar position.
• Experience with grants management systems is required.
• Experience in effective project management is required.
• Experience in international grantmaking is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and one additional language that is spoken in China (Mandarin or Cantonese).
• Bachelor’s degree is required.

Compensation & Benefits

For positions filled in the United States, the typical salary range for this role is $110,000 to $150,000 USD. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, job level, internal equity and budget. Exact salary offers will be determined by factors such as the candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience and geographic location.

You will be a part of an organization that promotes positive change in the world to minimize the impacts of climate change. We provide competitive wages, health, and wellness benefits, paid vacation, holidays, and other perks to promote work/life harmony. We operate in a hybrid model, which means both workdays from home and in the office located in Irvine, California.

Please note, at this time, our preference is that applicants have the authorization to work in the United States.

Covid-19 Vaccination

Sequoia Climate Foundation encourages its employees to be fully vaccinated and up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

• Please click "Apply" below to email your resume and a cover letter, or use this link: Apply to Sequoia Climate Foundation.
• If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please reach out to the HR Team at PeopleOps@sequoiaclimate.org.

Sequoia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or legally protected status. We strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and diversity is celebrated.