Grants Associate (Remote)

Title: Grants Associate

Department: Philanthropy & Community

Reporting to: Grant and Operations Partner

Location: USA - Remote

Compensation: $48K – 59K USD

Who We Are:  

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.     

About the Opportunity:

The Grants Associate will coordinate critical grant administration activities, manage and analyze data related to WES’ grantmaking, and support special projects through all stages of WES’ grantmaking cycle operations. The Associate will report to the Grants and Operations Partner and work closely with the Lead, Grantmaking, Head of Philanthropy and Community, other members of the Grantmaking team, external applicant and grantee partners.  

What You'll Do: 

Grants Administration and Coordination – 60%

• Support the administration of grants throughout the grant lifecycle. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Tracking funding initiatives and grants in the pipeline
  • Structuring funding application and review processes in Salesforce-based grants management system
  • Managing award and payment processes within WES and with funding recipients
  • Supporting and advising funding seekers, grantee partners, and staff as needed, such as providing customer service on platforms used for applications and data collection.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of grant records and donations documentation (e.g., applications, grant agreements, payment forms etc.).
• Recommend improvements to tools and resources for grants administration so these are streamlined and supportive of effective grantmaking.
• Identify and support efforts to help create, implement, and improve existing funding administration processes and policies to ensure alignment with WES values and commitment to equitable grantmaking practices.
• Support documentation of Fund administration processes and provide clear, concise instruction on policies and procedures to applicants, grantee partners, and staff.
• Identify, track, and share emerging equitable philanthropic funding approaches by conducting desk research, participating in online webinars, and learning from grants management peers, making recommendations on how the Fund can strengthen its approach. 

Data Management and Analysis – 30%

• Develop and manage surveys to gather demographic, impact, and other data from grantee partners and funding applicants, in partnership with other departments such as Investments.
• Collect data about funding recipients, maintaining up to date, accessible information using systems such as Salesforce, Microsoft Forms, and other processes and team tools.
• Analyze collected data and provide statistics, information, and recommendations that inform funding decisions to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion of communities.
• Analyze and manage data on grants and donations and contribute to reporting needed for various internal and external purposes, including the SPL team, Finance, the WES Board and senior leadership dashboards and forecasts.

Funding Management and Administrative Support - 10%

• Support WES Grantmaking team in working with their portfolios of grantee partners, including but not limited to tracking grantee deliverables and outcomes, conducting initial review of grant applications, proposals, and reports, and participating in planning meetings, as needed.
• Provide project management support to ensure successful implementation of special projects.
• Support meeting prep, coordination, calendaring, and conference call coordination, note-taking, follow-up, and logistics.

Your Experience:

Required:

• A Bachelor’s degree or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant field
• 2+ years of relevant professional experience coordinating administrative activities.. Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong data management skills coupled with analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Techy savvy and comfortable using new applications and programs; ability to gain a strong command of new systems.
• Learning oriented with an openness to trying new approaches and solutions to grantmaking.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to deliver high-quality, accurate work in a fast-paced environment and to manage multiple priorities and meet competing deadlines.
• Bring a customer-service mindset and approach, particularly in supporting funding applicants, grantee and investee partners, and WES colleagues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Desired:

• Professional experience in philanthropy, grants management, immigration, refugee resettlement, and/or social sectors strongly preferred.
• Experience with Salesforce as a CRM, data management or grants management tool

What We Offer:

Joining our team at WES means embarking on a purpose-driven career with a global impact, where you contribute daily to making a tangible difference in the lives of people worldwide. You'll thrive in an employee-centric environment, with access to learning opportunities, pathways for personal and professional development, and recognition of your achievements. Our inclusive, mission-driven culture values employees and focuses on investing in our people through our culture, people framework, and programming while offering the flexibility of remote work options.

• Work-Life Harmony: We believe that success is all about maintaining balance. Enjoy the freedom of remote work and flexible scheduling, paired with generous time-off policies designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between your personal and professional commitments. Our comprehensive wellness programs and work environment are focused on fostering your well-being.
• Rewards and Recognition: Your dedication and achievements are the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the importance of valuing your hard work, which is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and tangible rewards to celebrate your contributions.
• Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to nurturing growth within our team, recognizing that growth is essential to providing opportunities for career advancement and ongoing professional development. To prioritize your learning and success, we invest in comprehensive training programs and offer tuition reimbursement opportunities. We promote a culture of continuous learning that empowers you to thrive and evolve in your career.
• Innovation and Impact: Engage in work that directly transforms lives and empowers individuals and communities by expanding access to global educational and professional pathways. Join us in fostering a culture that values innovation, embraces new approaches, and leverages transformation to implement and drive impactful change.
• Community and Connection: Our team is made up of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have varying perspectives and ideas. Our diverse workforce reflects the global community we serve, and we take pride in it. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Experience the power of connection by participating in a range of activities, including employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our organization.

  Values:

• Opportunity - We open doors so people can build better futures.
• Inclusion - We become stronger, more creative, and more resilient when we embrace diversity.
• Equity - We uphold fairness and justice in our work and actions.
• Enterprising - We are resourceful, inventive, and driven.

  Inclusive Recruitment Process:

We welcome all applicants, irrespective of their experience perfectly fitting the job description, as we value diverse and innovative viewpoints. At our organization, individuals who thrive in a culture of continuous learning and inclusive teamwork excel. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. 

Our Commitment:

World Education Services is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.   

If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected], we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org

This position is an existing vacancy and is currently open for hire.