Application Guide

How to Apply for Grants Officer – Maternity Cover - Madrid, Spain

at European Climate Foundation

🏢 About European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation is a leading philanthropic initiative uniquely positioned at the intersection of climate policy and strategic grantmaking across Europe and globally. Working here means contributing directly to accelerating the transition to a net-zero emission society through targeted funding of climate solutions, offering a rare opportunity to drive systemic change from within a major climate-focused organization.

About This Role

This Grants Officer role involves managing the full grant lifecycle for ECF's climate initiatives, from due diligence and budgeting in FLUXX to contract monitoring and financial reconciliation. It's impactful because you'll ensure funds flow efficiently to grantees working on urgent climate solutions, directly supporting ECF's mission to tackle the climate crisis through strategic philanthropy.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves reviewing grantee due diligence reports in FLUXX, updating budget trackers in Excel for upcoming climate projects, and collaborating with program teams in Madrid or across Europe to align regranting plans. You might also draft grant contracts, monitor existing agreements for compliance, and reconcile financial data to ensure smooth funding flows toward climate solutions.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who European Climate Foundation Is Looking For

  • Has 3-4 years of hands-on experience in administrative/financial roles within NGOs, foundations, or climate-related organizations, not just corporate settings
  • Is fluent in both English and Spanish (mandatory) and ideally knows another European language like French or German, given ECF's pan-European focus
  • Demonstrates advanced Excel skills for budget oversight and can quickly adapt to FLUXX or similar grant management systems
  • Shows genuine interest in climate philanthropy and understands how grant administration supports programmatic goals

📝 Tips for Applying to European Climate Foundation

1

Explicitly mention your fluency in Spanish and English in your resume summary, as this is a hard requirement for the Madrid-based role

2

Highlight any experience with grant management systems like FLUXX, Salesforce Grants Management, or similar platforms—even if basic—as ECF relies heavily on FLUXX

3

Quantify your budget oversight experience (e.g., 'managed grants totaling €X annually' or 'reconciled budgets for Y projects') to stand out

4

Tailor your application to ECF's climate focus by referencing their net-zero mission or specific programs (e.g., European Green Deal alignment)

5

Note your availability for the contract's maternity cover duration (typically 6-12 months) to address potential concerns about temporary role commitment

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're passionate about contributing to climate action through grant administration, linking it to ECF's net-zero mission", 'Detail your experience with financial oversight and grant processes, emphasizing how it aligns with the due diligence and FLUXX responsibilities listed', 'Describe your ability to support programmatic teams in budget planning, showcasing collaboration skills in a philanthropic context', "Mention your Spanish proficiency and any European language skills, as this is critical for the Madrid location and ECF's multilingual work"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore ECF's recent grant portfolios and initiatives (e.g., European Green Deal, national climate policies) to understand their strategic focus
  • → Review FLUXX grant management system features, as it's central to the role's daily tasks
  • → Look into ECF's organizational structure and Madrid office context to grasp how the Grants Officer fits within teams
  • → Study Spanish and EU climate policy landscapes, as grantees often work in these areas

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience conducting due diligence on grantees, including risk assessment and compliance checks
2 How would you handle a discrepancy between a program team's budget plan and the FLUXX system during reconciliation?
3 What steps do you take to ensure accurate and timely grant contracting and monitoring?
4 How do you prioritize tasks when supporting multiple program teams with regranting budgets?
5 Why do you want to work at ECF specifically, and how does this role fit into your career goals in climate philanthropy?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning climate or ECF's mission—this role requires alignment with their philanthropic goals
  • Overlooking the language requirement by not highlighting Spanish and English proficiency upfront
  • Focusing only on administrative tasks without connecting them to grant impact or program support, which is key at ECF

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to European Climate Foundation!

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