Grant Writer

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY – This position is based in Arlington-VA, Seattle-WA, Honolulu-HI, or US (remote)

Conservation International’s Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science is a highly motivated team that leverages science to accelerate global conservation action. Our near-term goals by 2025 are to increase the impact of our science to help stabilize our climate, double ocean protection and expand planet-positive economies. Under new leadership, the Center is shaping its strategy to match CI’s ambitious targets and to deliver actionable science that supports field programs and partners around the globe.  

The Grant Writer position is a new role that is an integral part of the Moore Center’s three-person engagement team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is a skilled grant writer with a proven ability to fundraise for science or conservation. As the first dedicated Grant Writer in the Moore Center for Science, they will work with the Center’s leadership, team scientists and colleagues in CI’s Development Division to develop proposals to increase funding for our work. They will be responsible for coordinating project teams as they design new concepts for grant funding, writing grant proposals and reports, and ensuring knowledge management for the Center’s proposal process (such as creating, maintaining, and updating performance reports, stock text, and other internal resources required for developing proposals). In addition, the Grant Writer will provide critical project management support for the proposal development and reporting processes for large projects.    

The ideal candidate has significant experience in navigating complex proposal and reporting requirements, in building and maintaining relationships with grantors, and in effectively managing grant processes. They have a deep understanding of conservation and/or environmental science and a passion for helping colleagues develop new concepts and communicate current initiatives in a way that increases support for conservation science. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify grant opportunities from private and public sources.
• Draft text and/or provide thorough edits for proposals, grant reports and supplemental materials.
• Project manage proposal and report processes to ensure deliverables and deadlines are met.
• Communicate with project staff to obtain information for proposals and reports.
• Complete due diligence forms as required by donors.
• Update past performance reports.
• Keep “stock text” database up to date with quality, uniformed, accurate text.
• Participate and/or coordinate team around new concept development.
• Support project teams as needed with work plan and implementation plan development.
• Assist with the Moore Center’s annual report and other written communications materials for internal and external audiences.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment with hybrid schedule (remote work is possible).
• May need to work extended hours on occasion.
• Possible travel to team events and meetings or to support field offices on large project development (less than 25% of time).

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required, with coursework or experience in fund-raising for nonprofit causes, environmental sciences, or international development.
• 5 to 7 years of experience with funding applications and grant writing.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication and management skills.
• Proven ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously and work with interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work on projects involving expertise outside own functional and programmatic area and to develop ideas or solutions to complex problems that go beyond established practices.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to establish and manage job objectives for self.
• Comfortable working across cultures.
• Proven track record of taking initiative, working independently, and coordinating dispersed teams.
• Passion for conservation of nature and a commitment to CI’s vision and mission.

Preferred

• Multilingual
• International work or global organization experience.