Director of Grants, Development and Partnerships
About the Role
The Director of Grants, Development and Partnerships leads EcoClimate Vision’s efforts to mobilize the financial resources and strategic relationships necessary to grow the organization and advance its mission across the Global South.
The Director leads the Grants, Development and Partnerships Department and works closely with the CEO, COO, Finance Department, Research Department, country teams, and other departments to identify funding opportunities, develop competitive proposals, cultivate donors and partners, and strengthen the long term financial sustainability of EcoClimate Vision.
This is a highly strategic and results oriented leadership position for someone who can turn EcoClimate Vision’s ideas and impact into compelling opportunities for funders and partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Grant Research and Acquisition
Identify relevant funding opportunities from foundations, governments, international organizations, development agencies, corporations, and other institutions that align with EcoClimate Vision’s mission and programs. - Proposal Development
Lead the preparation and submission of high quality grant proposals, concept notes, expressions of interest, funding applications, and supporting documentation. - Fundraising Strategy
Develop and implement a fundraising and resource mobilization strategy that helps EcoClimate Vision diversify its funding sources and build long term financial sustainability. - Partnership Development
Identify, initiate, and cultivate strategic relationships with NGOs, universities, businesses, governments, international organizations, foundations, and other institutions that can strengthen EcoClimate Vision’s programs and reach. - Donor and Funder Relations
Build and maintain professional relationships with existing and prospective donors and funders, ensuring consistent communication, stewardship, and engagement. - Program Development
Work with the Research Department, country teams, and other departments to transform climate challenges and community needs into strong, fundable projects and programs. - Grant Management and Compliance
Coordinate with relevant departments to ensure grant requirements, deliverables, budgets, reporting deadlines, and donor expectations are properly understood and fulfilled. - Department Leadership
Lead and coordinate members of the Grants, Development and Partnerships Department, establish departmental priorities, assign responsibilities, and ensure implementation of quarterly action plans. - Country Team Support
Support country teams in identifying appropriate local funding and partnership opportunities and provide guidance on proposal development and resource mobilization.
Commitment
This is currently a voluntary leadership position requiring an expected commitment of approximately 6 to 10 hours per week, with flexibility depending on grant deadlines, partnership opportunities, and organizational activities.
The Director is expected to participate consistently in Core Team and departmental meetings and maintain active oversight of the organization’s funding and partnership pipeline.
The role requires initiative. The Director should actively identify and pursue opportunities rather than wait for funding opportunities to be assigned.
Quarterly Expectations
The Director will develop a Quarterly Department Action Plan with measurable priorities.
Activities may include identifying new funding opportunities, submitting grant applications and concept notes, developing a funding pipeline, initiating partnership conversations, securing institutional partnerships, organizing fundraising or partnership focused events, conducting grant writing training for ECV teams, developing donor materials, and supporting country teams with fundraising.
Performance will consider both results and consistent progress, recognizing that successful fundraising and partnership development often require sustained relationship building over time.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience or strong capabilities in areas such as grant writing, fundraising, business development, international development, nonprofit management, donor relations, partnership development, project development, or related fields.
Strong research, writing, communication, relationship building, and organizational skills are essential.
Experience developing grant proposals, working with donors or foundations, preparing project budgets, or building institutional partnerships is highly desirable.
Knowledge of climate change, environmental sustainability, development challenges, or the Global South is an advantage.
Compensation and Growth
The Director of Grants, Development and Partnerships position is currently voluntary and unpaid.
EcoClimate Vision intends to transition key leadership positions to compensated roles as the organization develops sufficient and sustainable financial resources.
Future compensation may be supported through approved organizational budgets, eligible personnel costs included within funded projects and grants, unrestricted resources, or other appropriate funding sources.
The Director may also become eligible for performance based compensation as EcoClimate Vision develops the financial capacity to support it. Any such compensation will be based on predetermined performance goals and organizational achievements and will not be calculated as a percentage of grants, donations, or funds raised.
Any future compensation will be subject to organizational financial capacity and appropriate governance approval.
Reporting and Accountability
The Director reports to the CEO and COO and leads the Grants, Development and Partnerships Department.
The Director is expected to provide regular updates on funding opportunities, applications submitted, partnerships under development, secured funding, upcoming deadlines, challenges, and departmental performance.
Who Should Consider This Role?
This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys finding opportunities, developing compelling proposals, building relationships, and helping organizations grow.
The ideal candidate should be persistent, proactive, strategic, and comfortable pursuing opportunities where success is not guaranteed.
This is a role for someone prepared to identify opportunities, build relationships, write, pursue, negotiate, and deliver.
Mobilize Resources for Climate Action
Help EcoClimate Vision build the partnerships and financial foundation needed to transform climate ideas into meaningful action across the Global South.
