Grants Officer – North America Programs

The Grants Officer – North America Programs supports the International Crane Foundation mission by fully managing grants to fund our North America Programs from foundations, corporations and government sources. The Grants Officer leads the Foundation’s grant researching, writing, review, submission, reporting, donor communications and renewal processes, in close collaboration with staff based at our headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and our office in Rockport, Texas. The Grants Officer also collaborates closely with the International Crane Foundation senior leadership, including development, finance and administration, to determine priority submissions where multiple projects are eligible, track program revenue and expenses budgets linked to grants, and coordinate grant submission with individual donor and prospect relationships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the International Crane Foundation’s comprehensive grants program with respect to funding needs for our North America Program and projects/partners across the continent. 
• Engage in regular, effective work planning and fundraising meetings as an integral member of the Regional Program team to understand their needs and priorities. 
• Research new grant sources for mission match with International Crane Foundation programs and funding needs, communicating opportunities with program staff and directors.
• Cultivate relationships with large private and corporate foundations and government agencies to increase the International Crane Foundation’s competitive advantage for larger grants (>$100,000), multi-partner grants and bilateral/multilateral funds. 
• Write, edit and package well-crafted proposals that include letters of inquiry, compelling project descriptions and detailed budgets, logical frameworks, progress/stewardship reports, grant agreements and other materials for donors and prospective supporters. 
• Manage each stage of the grant process with program and finance staff, from the proposal development stage to proposal submission, to notification and reporting and acknowledgment. 
• Working closely with program staff, ensure successful grants are managed in accordance with donor specifications, tracking and reporting on any variations to output and budgets.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Maintain and regularly update an archive of project proposals to reflect the current thinking and approaches for individual projects, including language that can be used or easily modified for new proposals to increase the efficiency of new proposal development. 
• Periodic travel to project sites to enhance program knowledge aimed at improving grant writing and management. 
• Maintain a portfolio of select major donors and potential donors, aimed at advancing personal connections. 
• Use databases to track and record grant and program activity, maintain lists, perform information queries, generate reports, and maintain foundation deadlines and stewardship schedules. 
• Provide occasional editing assistance to development, marketing and communications teams related to the Regional Programs.

Qualifications Required:

• Master’s degree or equivalent strongly preferred but not required. 
• Five years of grant writing experience including researching grant sources, writing grants and reporting. 
• Ability to assimilate complex and technical information from various sources and prepare clear, persuasive communication using various writing styles to meet the needs of the donor/granter communications. 
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing large (>$100K) foundation or government grants. 
• Knowledge and understanding of conservation, biology, ecology or related field. 
• Familiarity with livelihoods, community development and links between conservation and poverty alleviation desirable. 
• Excellent grammar and written communication skills, including the ability to draft, proofread and edit grants and reports.

Critical Skillsets for This Position:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software. 
• Familiarity with the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation. 
• Ability to prioritize, use time efficiently and effectively, and make strategic decisions. 
• Ability to work independently and manage time to meet deadlines. 
• Thoroughness and attention to detail. 
• Excellent verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to research, assess relevance, and analyze issues from multiple perspectives, assimilate information, reach sound conclusions, make appropriate decisions and recommendations. 
• Ability to work cooperatively with others to develop and implement solutions to achieve mutually desired results. 
• Ability to handle multiple simultaneous demands/projects by organizing, prioritizing competing deadlines and completing work accurately and on time. 
• Ability to work the number and schedule of hours needed to accomplish assigned tasks and regular job responsibilities. 
• Demonstrated skill working as a constructive member of a team, including the free sharing of information and technical expertise as needed. 
• Respect and sensitivity for others, including international cultural competency; trustworthiness; and strong work ethic and integrity. 
• Ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changes in work objectives, processes and technology.