Darwin Project Grant Manager

Position

Darwin Project Grants Manager

Location:

Remote

Department

Field Conservation

Reports To

Director of Field Conservation

Employee Classification

Part-time, Approx. 10hrs/week

Employment Status

Non-exempt

Start Date

March 1, 2026

Period Of Employment

Four years

Hourly Rate

US $34.85/hour

Organizational Background: The Commonwealth Zoological Corporation d/b/a Zoo New England (ZNE) is the nonprofit organization that operates Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Both zoos are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

ZNE’s mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating engaging experiences that integrate wildlife protection and conservation, research, and education. Providing meaningful connections to wildlife has been at the heart of this mission, helping people fully understand the incredible biodiversity of our planet and the critical role they can play in ensuring it remains a healthy, thriving environment for generations to come.

Since 2017, ZNE’s Field Conservation Department (FCD) has been working with federal, state, municipal, and nonprofit partners to protect and support rare wildlife, running over 12 projects and programs in New England and supporting over 20 international programs on four continents.

Project Background: in July of 2025 ZNE was awarded a Darwin Initiative (UK) grant covering four years, to begin in April of 2026. These funds will support a community based conservation project entitled Recovering Wildlife, Protecting Forests, and Alleviating Poverty through Community Governance, to take place in the province of Gilgit-Baltistan, in northern Pakistan.

ZNE is the lead on this project, but implementation of the project workplan and activities will largely depend on two in-country partners, Pakistan Environment Trust (PET) and Wildlife Conservation and Development Society (WCDS).

Position Background: To support this project, ZNE seeks a dynamic, well-organized, hard-working, and committed team player to oversee the budget, finances, and other administrative aspects of the project, and to provide direct support to the ZNE FCD Director in managing the operations of the project. The Grants Manager provides an important support role, and duties will vary from day to day. This position requires a person who thrives in a flexible work environment, is keen to learn, and is eager to be part of a team.

Primary Responsibilities

• The Grants Manager is responsible for ensuring that ZNE, partners, and the project meet and follow all rules and regulations and expected of grantees of the UK Government, DEFRA, and Darwin.
• Work with ZNE and partners to build a management system for grant administration and to periodically review progress toward grant objectives; assist in monitoring partner expenses to ensure spending within award budgets.
• Review funding agreements to ensure compliance with terms.
• Ensure project grant administration is on track; coordinate preparation of financial reports for donor; assist with reconciling budget-to-actuals for financial reports; review and approve grant financial reports prepared by country partners prior to submission to ZNE for signature and final submission to Darwin.
• Ensure the ZNE Finance Department has processed revenue and expenses in a timely manner and according to the grant budget.
• Coordinate subgrant compliance in Pakistan; support in-country partners in understanding the grant management processes, systems, tools and donor compliance requirements; train equivalent partner staff as needed.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a program of study such as finance, accounting, economics, or business (or similar) , MBA preferred.
• Proven financial management experience in an international organization (3 years).
• Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge or similar accounting systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of grant and contract compliance with government agencies.
• Excellent organizational skills, including ability to set and follow priorities, take initiative, work on multiple items simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent computer and systems skills with respect to MS Office applications (advanced skills in MS Excel ) and major financial accounting and reporting software.