Conservation Contracts Specialist

The Nature Conservancy • George, NC

23d • $55,000 - $70,000

About The Position

What We Can Achieve Together: The Conservation Contracts Specialist will work on strategic priorities of the North Carolina Business Unit’s Conservation Team, through efficient administrative support of contracts. The types of contractual and financial agreements within the scope of this job include but are not limited to contracts for services, public and private grant sub-awards, other money out agreements, task orders, and related amendments. The Conservation Contracts Specialist will complete an internal training program to become a “Certified Contracts Specialist” and participate in recertification training and community-of-practice discussions and meetings. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The primary role of the Conservation Contracts Specialist is to serve as a resource to Conservation Project Managers by coordinating all aspects of the lifecycle for contracts and other financial agreements. They will develop, review, manage, and track contracts and other agreements. They will ensure that contracts and agreements comply with TNC’s policies and procedures, as well as external requirements. The Conservation Contracts Specialist will communicate with staff in various programs across the Conservancy, as well as with vendors, consultants, partners, and business relations. The North Carolina Business Unit has a high volume of contracts and grants, and this position will be embedded in the Conservation Team to streamline workflow and improve effectiveness. To better serve programmatic needs, the Conservation Contracts Specialist will have a broad understanding of conservation and stay informed of TNC’s conservation projects and programs. Specific responsibilities of the Conservation Contracts Specialist include: Advising Project Managers on requirements for contracts and agreements, including the necessary forms, approvals, and reviews. Assisting Project Managers with financial administration of contracts, agreements, grants, and sub-awards including preparing and monitoring budgets. Drafting contracts and agreements with input from Project Managers, using available templates. Assessing risk factors and reviewing contract documents for reasonableness, thoroughness, and accuracy. Acting as the primary liaison for communication between Conservation Project Managers, Finance, Legal, and Grant Specialists, including circulating contracts and other essential documents for approvals and signatures. Working directly with vendors, consultants, grantees, and partners to support requests for proposals and bids, obtain required forms and information, and coordinate efficient payment of invoices. Maintaining internal auditable files for each contract with required documentation to ensure they are complete and in compliance with TNC’s standard operating procedures. Maintaining a database to track information, approvals, deadlines, and payment schedules related to contracts and agreements. Determining if a contract amendment is needed based on various factors related to the work and implementing steps to draft amendments and obtain approvals. Closing out contracts and agreements by confirming that all tasks and deliverables are complete, and the final payment is made. Communicating or distributing information to assist Conservation staff in making decisions, solving problems, and improving workflow. Providing guidance, training, and/or materials to Conservation staff related to compliance with standard operating procedures and best practices for contracts and agreements. Assisting Conservation staff with other contract-related administrative tasks, as needed, such as responding to inquiries, processing forms, creating reports and program materials, drafting correspondence, planning meetings, and supporting hiring and training. Work is primarily in an office or home office and involves little to no exposure to outdoor settings and infrequent minor physical exertion. This position may occasionally require travel and working flexible hours as needed. The position is full-time for a three-year term subject to renewal based on available funding.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years related experience or equivalent combination
• Experience coordinating administrative processes
• Experience generating reports and interpreting data
• Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading
• Experience organizing time and managing diverse activities to meet deadlines
• Experience working across teams and communicating with a wide range of people

Nice To Haves

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated
• Knowledge of conservation is appreciated but not required
• Experience related to reading, writing, or interpreting contracts, agreements, or other legal documents
• Strong organization skills, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Ability to analyze information for the purpose of coordinating and planning activities, and solving problems
• Ability to use existing technology to achieve desired results
• Excellent customer service skills and focus
• Experience interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results
• Knowledge of current trends in specific field of contracts and agreements

Responsibilities

• Advising Project Managers on requirements for contracts and agreements, including the necessary forms, approvals, and reviews.
• Assisting Project Managers with financial administration of contracts, agreements, grants, and sub-awards including preparing and monitoring budgets.
• Drafting contracts and agreements with input from Project Managers, using available templates.
• Assessing risk factors and reviewing contract documents for reasonableness, thoroughness, and accuracy.
• Acting as the primary liaison for communication between Conservation Project Managers, Finance, Legal, and Grant Specialists, including circulating contracts and other essential documents for approvals and signatures.
• Working directly with vendors, consultants, grantees, and partners to support requests for proposals and bids, obtain required forms and information, and coordinate efficient payment of invoices.
• Maintaining internal auditable files for each contract with required documentation to ensure they are complete and in compliance with TNC’s standard operating procedures.
• Maintaining a database to track information, approvals, deadlines, and payment schedules related to contracts and agreements.
• Determining if a contract amendment is needed based on various factors related to the work and implementing steps to draft amendments and obtain approvals.
• Closing out contracts and agreements by confirming that all tasks and deliverables are complete, and the final payment is made.
• Communicating or distributing information to assist Conservation staff in making decisions, solving problems, and improving workflow.
• Providing guidance, training, and/or materials to Conservation staff related to compliance with standard operating procedures and best practices for contracts and agreements.
• Assisting Conservation staff with other contract-related administrative tasks, as needed, such as responding to inquiries, processing forms, creating reports and program materials, drafting correspondence, planning meetings, and supporting hiring and training.

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level