About Water.org

1 in 10 people around the world lack access to safe water and 1 in 4 people don’t have access to a toilet. We are working every day to change this. We are Water.org. We’re here to bring water and sanitation to the world. We want to make it safe, accessible and cost-effective because we believe that water is the way to empower a bright future that we can all share, worldwide. We are an international nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, we pioneer market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 25 years, we’ve been providing women hope, children health and families a future.

Summary

The Senior Grant Finance Specialist is an integral member of the Headquarter Accounting & Operations team within the Global Finance department. This individual is responsible for managing processes and compliance requirements related to the financial aspects of development, monitoring, and reporting on the philanthropic resources entrusted to the organization.

Working cross-functionally with key business partners in the Global Impact, Revenue and Global Finance departments to drive global pre and post award policies, standards, and processes, this position will lead preparation and publication of financial data, grant budget development and monitoring and ensure compliance with funder guidelines, including donor-required audits.

The Senior Grant Finance Specialist will leverage subject matter expertise with grant finance administration and analysis, business partnering acumen, continuous improvement mindset and operates with impeccable integrity with respect to the timeliness and accuracy of financial data.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Finance Planning, Monitoring & Reporting (70%)

Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between the Headquarter Accounting + Operations team and Global Impact and Development Operations + Planning for grant-related financial questions and deliverables. In conjunction with key business partners within Global Impact, Revenue and other members of Global Finance to develop cost modeling tools and principles that are based on current and future product and service offerings, including, but not limited to:

• Optimize and oversee the grant-related budgeting process and templates from pitch phase to close out. Ensure all commitments and related budgets are accurately reflected in the organization’s financial systems and records.
• In collaboration with the project teams, develop spending forecasts for all projects. Where variances are identified, work with the Finance team and project staff to develop corrective action. Where needed, work with the Development team to report variances to the funder.
• Maintain robust oversight of budgets/spends for all grants, with ownership of a specific sub-set of grants.
• Develop all financial reports to donors and secure required signoffs within deadlines. Accountable for accuracy and timeliness of all data provided to internal and external parties.
• Creates spending mitigation action plans for grant budget variances in collaboration with internal stakeholders particular to grant requirements.
• Participates in quarterly portfolio review meetings to ensure expectations of grants are met.
• Collaborate with Global Finance team to develop a grant monitoring system to report against external and internal budgets.
• Responsible for tracking and coordinating projects that have multiple funding sources, including strategies for spending out each funder.
• Monitor staff time allocations and perform project code updates within established procedures and processes.
• In partnership with Learning & Development, develop and deploy training on grant finance requirements and use of project financial systems and reporting.

Grant Accounting + Compliance (30%)

In collaboration with other members of the Headquarter Accounting & Operations team, collate grant related cash flows, receivables and payables, as well as relevant allocations to support month-end close processes and internal reporting needs, including, but not limited to:

• Support the Finance Director, Headquarter Accounting & Operations and team in preparing schedules and reports for the annual audit, including donor-required audits. Compile and review all relevant grants support for the annual audit process.
• Maintain a schedule of all grants receivable and collaborate with relevant Global Finance teams to develop cash flow projections.
• Supports preparation of transactions and accounting reconciliations for grants and revenue-related accounts to ensure grant and U.S. GAAP compliance.
• Ensures implementation of donor requirements and regulations are integrated into grant finance monitoring and reporting processes, including tracking and providing documentation to evidence compliance with grant financial terms. Provides briefing staff on any new or updated funder policies and procedures.
• Develops, validates and deploys internal processes and guidelines for effective financial management of grants.
• Review all requests for grant expense reclassifications and financial data relevant for overhead rates for approval by the relevant authority within the Headquarter Accounting & Operations team.

Management Responsibility:

• Individual contributor with no subordinates.

This description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of scope, stakeholders and linkages for every project, duty or responsibility but is intended to highlight internal or external processes, functions and jobs/roles that are expected to regularly interact with this position to deliver work. Scope may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Skills and Competencies

• Customer Focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Communicates Effectively – Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Drives Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Optimize Work Processes – Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Manages Ambiguity – Manages ambiguity by operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
• Financial Acumen – Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent relevant working experience.
• At least eight years of progressive experience with grant administration, business analytics and/or cost accounting, with a strong emphasis on public sector or non-profit finance, including:
  • Advanced proficiency with cost accounting and/or grant management principles and methods, with extensive experience in grants-level cash flow management and financial analysis, with demonstrated ability and willingness to learn new systems, techniques, and procedures.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting payable/receivable principles, including but not limited to basic GAAP.
  • Strong technical savvy, including fluency with Microsoft Office, advanced Excel and database management.
  • Proven track record of driving strong financial processes and performance within a complex, global organization.
• Excellent initiative and ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must be well organized and detail oriented.
• Language(s): Proficient (written and verbal) in English.

Preferred:

• Experience working outside of the U.S.
• Experience supporting international development projects and/or acting as a project manager.
• Language(s): Proficiency (written and verbal) in other languages is a plus.

Travel Requirement:

Up to 5% of domestic travel.

Being authorized to work in the country posted is a precondition of employment.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers full-time benefits inclusive of medical/dental insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement program; as well as periodic review for merit and incentive pay based on organizational and personal achievement.

Water.org is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, military and veteran status, genetic information, and any other status protected by law. We provide qualified applicants and employees reasonable accommodation, when necessary, to enable individuals to complete the application process and/or perform the essential functions of the job. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We strive to build and maintain a diverse team that will advance our mission and work and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.