Operations Associate - Grants and Budget Management

About the role

The Climate Smart Forest Economy Program (CSFEP) is seeking an Operations Associate for a new, full-time, fully remote position. The role sits at the heart of how CSFEP runs, helping a young, growing organization stay compliant with its funders and fiscal sponsors while tracking a complex budget spanning two fiscal sponsors, three funders and several currencies. It also covers preparing budgets and financial reports for grant proposals and funder reports, supporting contracting, and managing travel, events and scheduling. The post reports to the Executive Director.

Key responsibilities

• Consolidate financial information from the two fiscal sponsors into one clear, up-to-date organizational budget and help the team plan, fundraise and report
• Track spending against grant budgets and flag variances, underspends and risks early
• Support grant proposals by developing and reviewing budgets and budget narratives, and prepare the financial parts of grant reports
• Keep contracts, grant agreements and funder requirements up to date and track key obligations and deadlines
• Arrange travel and logistics, coordinate schedules and meetings across time zones, and coordinate event logistics
• Where relevant, start developing internal policies and procedures, and create simple templates and documentation

Required profile

• 3 to 5 years of experience in operations, grants management, finance or related roles in nonprofit, development or philanthropic settings
• Experience managing grant budgets from philanthropic funders, especially across multiple currencies
• Proven ability to consolidate financial information from multiple sources and explain it clearly to non-finance colleagues
• Experience supporting grant proposals and donor reporting
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to work independently in a remote, decentralized team
• Availability to join meetings between 14:30 and 18:00 SAST (UTC+2)

Required skills

• Comfort with spreadsheets
• Strong written and verbal communication in English
• Ideal: experience with fiscal sponsors, small or fast-growing organizations, and forest, land use, climate or conservation work

The contract is full-time and fixed-term for two years, with possible renewal depending on grant funding. Applications require a cover letter and a CV sent by email with the subject line "Operations Associate"; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.