Associate, Awards & Compliance

About RRI

The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition of over 200 organizations dedicated to advancing the forest, land, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Afro-descendant Peoples, and in particular the women within these groups. RRI’s members capitalize on each other’s strengths, expertise, and geographic reach to amplify the voices of local peoples and help governments, multilateral institutions, and private sector actors to support the realization of rights.
By advancing a strategic understanding of the global threats and opportunities resulting from insecure land and resource rights, RRI also develops and promotes rights-based approaches to business and development and catalyzes effective solutions to strengthen communities’ rights, livelihoods, and sustainable resource governance.

If you are passionate about working with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples in the Global South to strengthen their rights, development, and environmental efforts, this could be the place for you. For more information, check out our current openings.

Studies show people of color, people from Indigenous and local communities, women, and LGBTQ+ persons are less likely to apply for positions unless they meet every qualification. RRI strongly encourages candidates to apply even if they don’t meet every required qualification as all applications will be accepted, reviewed, and evaluated equally. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Associate, Awards & Compliance

The Awards & Compliance (A&C) Associate will support the management of grants, awards, and compliance processes within the organization. This role ensures that grant-funded programs align with donor requirements, internal policies, and regulatory frameworks. The candidate will assist in tracking grant performance, reviewing compliance documentation, and supporting internal reporting processes to maintain transparency and accountability. 
Two associates will be hired: one associate will be based in Washington, DC, USA and the other in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Applicants for the Washington, DC location should apply to this offer. To apply for the Montreal location, please visit:  https://rights.bamboohr.com/careers/32

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC with the option of teleworking two days per week (Mondays and Fridays). Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the US and located in the DC metro area prior to the start date.  This is an entry-level position that is classified as non-exempt under the US Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is therefore subject to compensation for overtime. 

 
Primary Responsibilities: 
1. Procurement and Subgrant Management 

• Support procurement processes within the organization, including drafting, publishing, and monitoring requests for proposals.
• Assist in reviewing subgrant, consultant, and other organizational agreements and ensuring compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies.
• Support the tracking of grant implementation progress, including financial and programmatic deliverables.
• Help maintain grants management systems and documentation for audits and internal reporting.
• Support due diligence review of new collaborators, vendors, suppliers, consultants, etc. 

2. Compliance and Risk Management 

• Support the A&C team in monitoring adherence to donor policies, regulations, and internal procedures.
• Assist in conducting compliance checks and identifying risks related to grants and awards.
• Help prepare reports on compliance issues, providing recommendations for corrective action.
• Ensure proper documentation of compliance-related activities, including procurement and financial transactions. 

 3. Capacity Building and Training 

• Help prepare documentation and guidance on compliance-related matters. 
• Support training sessions for staff on donor compliance and award management policies.
• Support capacity building for subrecipients by helping prepare training and other compliance resources to support their financial management, grant compliance and reporting.
• Serve as the primary point of contact within the organization for questions about procurement and compliance, referring other teams to organizational policies or responding to questions on behalf of the A&C team. 

4. Financial and Administrative Support 

• Collaborate with finance team to ensure accurate budgeting and expenditure tracking for grants, consultant contracts, or other agreements.
• Assist in reconciling contract expenditures and ensuring proper financial documentation, as needed.
• Help coordinate audits and financial reviews, preparing required documentation for auditors and donors, as requested by the finance team. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, finance, business administration, law, or a related field is required.
• 1-2 years of experience in grants management, compliance, finance, or nonprofit administration.
• Familiarity with donor regulations is an advantage.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail are required.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional-level fluency in English is required. Proficiency in French or Spanish preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is required. Experience with grant management software is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; willing and able to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Able to work independently or in a team environment, collaborating with and supporting teammates.

Salary Range: $51,500 - $63,860 USD annually.   

 
Benefits:  Rights and Resources recognizes the value of benefits to employees and their families. We take great pride in offering our dedicated and committed employees a competitive benefits package. Our comprehensive benefit programs provide you with a reliable, effective, and affordable array of choices that will meet your needs and those of your family.  

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; dependents and domestic partners eligible
• 100% coverage of employee premiums for the following: short-term/long-term disability insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, and the employee assistant program
• If eligible, 401(k) retirement plan (US) with employer match
• 25+ days of PTO, in addition to paid holidays
• Flextime and teleworking options
• Tuition reimbursement up to $1,500 per year after 1 full year of employment
• Dynamic growth opportunities with merit-based promotion philosophy 

Rights and Resources Group is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the organization and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, RRG makes all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation or any other category protected by applicable law.