About Tara

Tara Climate Foundation is a philanthropic climate foundation dedicated to fostering a future where Asia’s unwavering commitment to climate action paves the way for just, thriving and resilient societies. Tara operates in East, Southeast and South Asia, excluding India and China.

Our mission is to support a diverse group of partners in accelerating Asia’s energy transformation and championing climate action. Tara plays three main roles in the region:

• Grantmaker: Tara works closely with mission-aligned foundations and philanthropists to pool resources and grant funds to organisations working to accelerate Asia’s energy transition and climate action (excluding China and India).
• Convenor: Tara cultivates networks that facilitate the exchange of ideas between business, civil society, and government throughout and beyond Asia.
• Local and regional expert: With strong networks spanning civil society, businesses and government, Tara funds thorough research and analysis to address knowledge gaps, stay abreast of emerging trends, and craft evidence-based strategies to advance our mission.

Since establishing its headquarters in Singapore in 2021, the foundation has provided grants to more than 300 organisations across 13 countries and jurisdictions. Our team of over 40 experts is spread across the Asia-Pacific region, working to combat climate change in this decisive decade.

Over the last 2 years, Tara has experienced significant growth, expanding our funding base to include more than a dozen philanthropic foundations. Currently, we provide grants to over 300 organisations operating across 13 countries and jurisdictions in the Asia region.

Despite heightened global focus on climate issues, philanthropic giving toward climate change initiatives remains disproportionately low, constituting just 2% of worldwide philanthropic giving, with an even smaller percentage allocated to Asia

Our grants management team is key to our mission and is vital part of the Tara team. Grants team contributes to the effective and efficient grant making activities in the region and ensures consistency of approach and compliance with the internal processes. Serves as liaison between the programmatic work and the finance department as well as Tara Climate grantees & consultants.

About the Role

Reporting to the Senior Grants Officer, the Grants Officer’s main areas of responsibility are:

1. Internal & external stakeholder communications,
2. Grant management process oversight,
3. Support re-granting due diligence and contracting process.
4. Support management of region-wide grants portfolio

Key responsibilities

Internal & External Stakeholder communications:

• Maintain regular communication and handle requests/questions from the Tara program team and all other external stakeholders (grantees, consultants etc).

Implement the grant management process:

• Handle internal and external requests regarding grant procedures and grant management system.
• Review and process grantee proposals and documents in the grants management system.
• Oversee the contracting process and send contracts ensuring they’re countersigned.
• Monitor, review and approve grantee reports, and execute payments in close collaboration with the Finance department.
• Conduct regular checks in the grant management system for outstanding payments, due reports, pending grant agreements, and payment receipt acknowledgement letters.
• Update the budget planner on SharePoint to support the program team's budgeting process.
• Provide support in managing region wide grants portfolio

Support re-granting due diligence and contracting process:

• Support due diligence activities and provide compliance assistance with financial and operational policies and guidelines.
• Monitor the contracting process and ensure contracts are sent and signed.

Miscellaneous:

• Demonstrate Tara Values in every action
• Actively participate in Program Team activities
• Abide by Tara’s policies, procedures and practices

As and when required other responsibilities and projects will be allocated by line management in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Excited by the prospect of working for a dynamic and fast-growing international organisation with a mission to solve the climate crisis, the ideal candidate will have:

Skills & Experience:

• 3 – 5 years of experience in an administrative, grants management or financial role. Experience in region-wide or multi-country grant portfolio is an advantage
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and an Asian language would be an asset.
• Reliable computer skills with standard applications (e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Used to working flexibly at a fast pace in remote settings with multi-cultural teams across multiple time-zones
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as and when required
• Ideally, will have experience working in international non-profit or development organization
• Embraces Tara’s mission and identifies with and is committed to living the Tara Values

Education

• Advanced degree or equivalent expertise in a related field such as Business Administration, Economics, Finance or Sustainable/International Development, with a focus on operations.

Location requirements

• The candidate must be based in South Korea and be a citizen of the country, have residency status with legal permit to reside and work in the country.

What Tara Foundation can offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international team who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for career develop and challenge yourself
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• A collaborative, fun and thriving team, driven by our mission and live our values

To apply

Please submit an A4 covering letter outlining your skills and achievements against the role responsibilities, why you would like to join us and your salary expectations, along with your up-to-date CV at Recruitment@taraclimate.org. Please use the job title: Grants Officer South Korea as the subject in your email. Applications without a cover letter will not be assessed.

Tara is committed to building leadership capacity within Asia. This position is based in South Korea. Applicants must have the right to work in the country.

We appreciate everyone's application, but only have the resources to respond to shortlisted applicants. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume you are unsuccessful for this role. If this is you, we appreciate your support and consideration and hope you will continue to consider roles with Tara in the future!