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

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.

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 visit this job posting to apply for the role: Apply to Sequoia Climate Foundation.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please reach out to the HR Team at [email protected].

Sequoia Climate Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Location: Irvine, CA or Washington, DC

Type: Hybrid Role 

Status: Full Time

Compensation: $149,000 – $186,000 a year

Position: Program Manager, United States

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. 

This role can be based out of Irvine, CA or Washington, DC, and is a hybrid organization.

For more information on Sequoia Climate Foundation, please visit the website here.

The Opportunity

The Program Manager will report to and work closely with the US Program Director to develop and execute high-impact strategies and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from key sectors of the U.S. economy. They will work with peer networks, government officials, thought leaders, and key stakeholders to assess emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities in the field. They will also conduct data-driven research and analysis necessary to evaluate potential opportunities based on speed, scale, probability of success, and cost. The Program Manager will leverage their networks and knowledge of the field to identify those organizations best positioned to lead and execute those strategies and initiatives. They will also work closely with prospective and existing grantees, overseeing the grantmaking process from application to award, and building strong trust-based relationships with grantees to enable thoughtful and learning-oriented management of their portfolio.

Candidate Profile

The Program Manager will be responsible for the following:

• Advance strategy execution, including conducting research and analysis on climate sector trends, developing coherent theories of change and theories of action, and identifying, screening, and supporting grantee partners in developing robust projects aligned with the theory of action.
• Write investment recommendations articulating the rationale for funding a cohort of projects and partners and present them to the Program Directors and Executive Team.
• Consistent with Sequoia’s “learning and evidence approach,” keep in regular contact with funded partners, including through site visits, and support execution consistent with goals in mind, supporting adaptive management by partners as needed.
• Undertake and occasionally commission sector-relevant research and data-driven analysis to inform the effective development, delivery, and evaluation of programs, initiatives, and strategies.
• Engage peer networks, funders, government officials, opinion formers within the climate change and sector-specific community, and other stakeholders to help develop strategies and identify organizations best positioned to execute those strategies.
• Identify appropriate partners and collaborations to advance grant-making strategies, including, as appropriate, active participation in collaboratives, conferences, and workshops.
• Monitor developments in the field to identify emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities for driving ambitious climate action.
• Works with the Evidence and Learning team to build and implement robust evidence and learning agenda in our grantmaking.
• Ensures adherence to internal grantmaking processes via appropriate documentation, grant budgeting, and reporting.
• Represents Sequoia Climate Foundation at conferences and meetings with NGOs, funders, experts, and consultants, ensuring follow-up as needed.
• Leads project and program management and handles simultaneous deadlines and assigned work.
• Works integrally with staff in accomplishing tasks, and managing junior staff as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.                   

Competencies: 

• Collegiality: Strong work ethic and experience building and working collaboratively with and across a team.
•  Self-starter: Attention to detail and timelines in a fast-paced environment with the ability to take initiative to organize, prioritize, and execute tasks.
• Efficiency/Initiative: Ability to learn quickly, juggle multiple tasks, prioritize effectively and meet deadlines.
• Innovative: Problem-solving aptitude; Actively stays on top of industry innovations and shares such findings with the broader team.
• Inspirational Leadership: Demonstrated values-based, results-driven leadership.
• Integrity: Commitment to Sequoia Climate Foundation’s mission and values.
• Systems savvy: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and virtual meeting software, with the ability to learn new or updated software.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

• A minimum of eight years of professional experience working in climate change or energy policy.
• A strong grasp of the policy, research, and advocacy landscape for key sectors of the U.S. economy.
• Strong quantitative and research skills are required.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree preferred.

Compensation & BenefitsFor positions filled in the United States, the typical salary range for this role is $149,000 – $186,000.  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.

Contact

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Alicia Salerno. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

We believe in cultivating teams with diverse backgrounds and offering equal opportunities to all. We strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every team member feels valued, and diversity is celebrated. 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 another legally protected status. 

Covid-19 Vaccination

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

Please visit this job posting to apply for the role: Apply to Sequoia Climate Foundation.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please reach out to the HR Team at [email protected].

Sequoia Climate Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.