ARE Job Description: Grants and Finance Manager

Location: India

Type: Contract, hybrid working

Reporting to: Director, Global Operations and Partnerships

Asia Research and Engagement (ARE) catalyses corporate change to address Asia’s sustainable development challenges. We run collaborative engagement programs across Asia, assembling coalitions of investors to address strategic sustainability issues and using dialogue and shareholder escalation tools to shift the mindsets of senior decision-makers across finance and industry.

ARE has a team of highly motivated professionals with a range of backgrounds and disciplines who help to drive change. Our activities include running investor-backed engagement programmes and producing high-grade research on sustainability themes and management by Asian listed companies. We work on financed emissions, energy-related industries, and food and agricultural systems.

The company’s head office is in Singapore and has a total of 30 employees and consultants in 3 locations across Asia. Visit www.asiareengage.com to learn more about ARE.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Grants and Finance Manager to oversee grant management, financial planning, reporting, and compliance across ARE’s global operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in grants administration, financial management, budgeting, and donor reporting within international development, non-profits, or research organisations. This position will play a key role in ensuring the financial health and integrity of ARE’s expanding portfolio of work.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Grants Management

• Manage the full lifecycle of grants, including proposal budgeting, grant agreements, financial monitoring, and financial reporting
• Develop and maintain grants tracking systems to ensure timely submissions and compliance with donor requirements
• Liaise with program leads to monitor grant-funded project budgets and expenditure.
• Maintain and update information on ARE registration and company stakeholders for grant approvals
• Ensure compliance with donor terms, grant agreements, and internal financial policies.

Financial Management

• Prepare and manage annual organisational budgets in collaboration with senior management.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for both internal use and external stakeholders.
• Manage accounts payable and receivable, financial reconciliations, and audits in coordination with external accountants.
• Process staff expense reimbursements, including travel-related advances and reconciliations.
• Manage deposits, cash flow projections, and related financial planning.
• Maintain ARE’s financial advisor registration status with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
• Support financial due diligence processes for new funding opportunities.
• Provide financial inputs for materials for the ARE Advisory Board.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with local financial and tax regulations in India, Singapore, and other jurisdictions
• Coordinate with external auditors, accountants, and legal advisors
• Support the development and refinement of internal financial controls, policies, and procedures
• Ensure timely completion of accounting and regulatory compliance filings

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with the Managing Director, Global Operations and Partnerships and other senior leaders to support organisational growth
• Provide necessary financial documentation and support for donor reporting
• Support the capacity-building of team members on financial procedures and systems
• Liaise with external vendors for financial transactions and ensure smooth financial workflows with programmatic teams

Requirements & Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field. Professional certifications (e.g., CA, CPA, ACCA) preferred
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in grants management, financial management, or related roles, preferably in non-profits, international development, or sustainability sectors
• Experience with donor-funded programs (e.g., philanthropic foundations, international agencies) is highly desirable
• Strong working knowledge of financial reporting standards and compliance requirements
• Proficiency in accounting software and advanced Excel skills
• Strong organisational skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in English

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to work with a purpose-driven organisation, driving sustainability and climate action in Asia
• Flexible, collaborative and mission-oriented work environment
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• Opportunities for professional growth and learning

Interested in this position?

Please send your CV and a short cover letter by 11 July 2025 explaining your interest in the role to: [email protected] with subject line: “Application: Grants and Finance Manager – [Your Name]”