Senior Associate, Grants

About Rare

Rare is a global leader in using behavior change to achieve long-lasting conservation results. For over 50 years, Rare has partnered with local communities, governments, and organizations to implement innovative solutions to protect nature and improve people's lives. Our global team brings together expertise in social science, communications, economics, and conservation to deliver high-impact, community-led programs that are scalable and replicable.

Rare's European office, Rare Europe GmbH, is based in Berlin and focuses on managing and implementing donor-funded programs, strengthening institutional partnerships, and contributing to Rare's mission of inspiring change so people and nature thrive.

Rare manages an active portfolio of over $20 million of grants and contracts funded by bilateral and multilateral sources, foundations, and corporations. Each of our donors has specific terms and conditions that Rare must meet to ensure they understand how we are spending the money they award us. It is vital to Rare's organizational reputation and to our ability to continue attracting high-profile grants and contracts that we operate in strict compliance with our donor's terms and conditions.

Position Overview & Background

Rare is seeking a Senior Associate, Grants & Finance Compliance, to support the financial and operational administration of Rare Europe's growing portfolio of public donor projects. The position will provide support to ensure efficient grants, contracts, and sub-agreement management in full compliance with Rare and donor policies and procedures.

Specifically, he/she will be responsible for the financial management function of grants and contracts, including monitoring expenses against grant budgets, reviewing grants and contracts expenditures for allowability, and assisting in ensuring that Rare complies with required donor award terms and conditions for each agreement or contract entered into by the organization. Additionally, he/she will manage procurement and sub-granting activities conducted by Rare Europe, assessing risk to identify appropriate mitigation strategies, monitoring submission of deliverables, and issuing payments. The position will report to the Director of Agreement Services and Compliance and collaborate with Rare Europe's Senior Finance & Operations Manager, as well as relevant project managers.

This position is ideal for a highly organized and detail-oriented professional who is motivated by impact-driven work and thrives in an international, collaborative setting.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Administration

• Support the cost proposal development process for new funding opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records for public donor projects, ensuring compliance with Rare's internal policies and donor requirements.
• Request, track, and support the validation of project budgets, expenditure forecasts, and disbursement schedules.
• Process payments to field offices and project partners and coordinate fund transfers with Rare's Finance department.
• Review subgrantee financial reports and expense justifications.
• Assist in the preparation and timely submission of financial reports to donors (interim and final) according to grant agreement provisions.
• Provide support for project-related financial audits, responding to audit requests and queries as needed and submitting supporting documentation.

Administrative Coordination

• Support contract management, internal reviews, payments, and logistical coordination for the assigned portfolio of donors.
• Maintain internal project documentation, including contracts, deliverables, checklists, and compliance records.
• Track relevant financial and administrative project deliverables and deadlines using project management tools, coordinating timely inputs from Rare staff and partners.
• Support coordination with Rare's 'Agreement Services and Compliance' unit as needed.
• Help the Rare Europe finance and operations where needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, public management, international development, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in project financial administration, preferably with NGOs or in the context of publicly funded development or conservation projects.
• Familiarity with donor requirements from the EU, BMZ, or other public donors is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines, track deliverables, and organize complex information.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and financial software or platforms (e.g. Sage, SAP, QuickBooks, or equivalents).
• Fluency in English and German.

Desirable Attributes

• Interest in environmental conservation, international development, or climate policy.
• Experience working with geographically dispersed teams.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and adapt in a dynamic organizational environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or Bahasa Indonesia.

Diversity and Inclusion

Rare is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.