Cowater International

Partnerships and Grants Officer

Posted
10 April 2026 03:17pm
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Regions
South-East and East Asia
Sectors
Building Resilience
Multisector
Summary

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Partnerships and Grants Officer
Sector: Inclusive Growth
Position Type (full/part time): Full time
Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): Long term
Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Bangkok, Thailand
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The Southeast Asia Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Platform (the Platform) is an AUD20 million investment over five years (2023-24 to 2028-29). The investment will build on Australia's leadership in GBV prevention and response, by addressing a need and demand for increased investment in, and coordination of, GBV prevention initiatives in the Southeast Asia region. The Platform's guiding principles include: locally driven, evidence-based, intersectional, survivor-centred and trauma informed, adaptive, collaborative and catalysing, minimise harm, accessible and innovative. It will bring together partner governments, WROs, NGOs, donors, international organisations, and regional bodies, providing a convening platform for these stakeholders to collaborate to build capacity and evidence, and improve and accelerate action to prevent GBV.
 
The Platform will utilise and build on global evidence and learning to support practitioners to strengthen and increase locally informed and led evidence-based policy and practice to prevent GBV within households, communities and countries across diverse settings. This includes both careful and high-quality adaptation of evidence-based models from other regions, support the capture and use of locally informed and led GBV prevention evidence and practice, as well as support to develop, strengthen and test new and innovative approaches to GBV prevention. The Platform will leverage Australian government partnerships with UN Women and UNFPA, and several complementary DFAT bilateral and regional investments. In addition, it will link Southeast Asian knowledge, capacity and practice to global, multilateral and Australian GBV prevention initiatives to extend and amplify program impacts and outcomes.
 
The regional Secretariat will be supported by Collaborator team (Cowater International Inc. consortium), whose main role is to support organisational infrastructure (IT, HR, finance etc.) and organisational development of the Platform. This support is complemented by a Technical Partner (Social Development Direct) who will build the Secretariat's capacity in GBV primary prevention.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
Based in Bangkok and reporting to the Partnerships Manager, Partnerships & Grants Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day partnerships and grants administration, to ensure the grants mechanism is maintained with continuous improvement and partnership agreements are on track, and compliant with Cowater and DFAT policies and processes. The Officer will support the Partnerships Manager by managing grants processes, from administration to compliance. This involves helping to review applications, conducting due diligence, monitoring partner progress, and ensuring that all grant activities comply with the required DFAT and Cowater standards and guidelines. The position coordinates partnerships with grantees, including facilitating communication, clear documentation, and reporting.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Partnership Management

  • Assist in coordinating partnership engagement activities, including scheduling consultations and meetings.
  • Provide administrative and logistical support for partnership documentation, such as grantee selection materials, and prepare agreement packages.
  • Maintain regular communication with grantees to support information flow, follow‑up requests, and routine issue escalation to the Partnerships Manager.

Grants Management

  • Support the end‑to‑end grants administration process by organizing calls for proposals, screening applications for completeness, and conducting initial eligibility checks.
  • Contribute to preliminary due diligence steps, including collecting documents and preparing checklists related to safeguarding, fraud risk, financial status, and organisational capacity.
  • Assist in preparing draft grants agreements and compiling compliance documentation in line with DFAT and Cowater requirements.
  • Coordinate administrative steps for grants disbursements and maintain up‑to‑date financial reporting calendars.
  • Assist in the review of grantee technical and financial reports, working closely with MEL and Finance teams.
  • Update tracking tools for grant indicators, risk logs, timelines, and compliance follow‑ups.
  • Provide support during audits, spot checks, and donor verification exercises by preparing documents and coordinating schedules.

Partner Capacity Strengthening

  • Assist in collecting data and documentation for partner capacity assessments and help identify potential areas for strengthening.
  • Support the logistics and coordination of capacity‑building activities, including training sessions, workshops, and mentoring meetings.
  • Maintain accurate records of all capacity‑strengthening activities, attendance, materials, and follow‑up actions.

Monitoring, Learning, and Reporting

  • Support the Partnerships team during annual work‑planning processes by gathering inputs and drafting initial sections as required.
  • Assist in collecting data and documentation from partners for MEL/MIS reporting requirements.

Secretariat Operations Support

  • Maintain orderly, accurate, and up‑to‑date digital filing systems, databases, and SharePoint folders.
  • Assist with logistical arrangements for meetings, partner consultations, travel, and regional events.
  • Support adherence to DFAT safeguarding, protection, and ethical standards by ensuring required forms and documentation are completed and filed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: 

  • A bachelor's degree
  • Minimum 3-5 years of experience in partnerships coordination, grants management, program operations, or donor‑funded project support.
  • Experience working with civil society, women's rights organisations, or community‑based partners.
  • Strong understanding of grants cycles, donor compliance (DFAT or similar), and due diligence processes.
  • Experience in relationship management and partner engagement across diverse cultural contexts.
  • Proven ability to effectively provide administrative support and to accurately report project outputs and outcomes.
  • Excellent interpersonal, writing, and coordination skills.
  • Ability to work both independently and in a diverse and collaborative team environment. 
  • Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, GBV prevention, safeguarding, and feminist principles.
  • Proficiency in English and at least one Southeast Asian language, both written and oral. 

APPLICATION PROCESS
This position is based in Bangkok and open for citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. We will not consider applicants from other regions/countries.  
 
We strongly encourage applications from women in all their diversity, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those from historically marginalized or underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the values of gender equality and intersectionality.
 
Candidates are encouraged to apply by 3rd May 2026. For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.  
 
To apply, please submit the following:

  • Updated CV that highlights relevant experiences and achievements vis-a-vis this job description
  • Cover letter outlining your interest and suitability in the role.

Equal Opportunity:  
Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring based on merit and qualifications. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.  
 
Salary Information: 
This position offers a salary within the range of AUD 3,500 - AUD 4,000 per month, based on the successful candidate's experience and qualifications.  
 
For More Information:  
For further details or to apply, please contact collaborate@prevention-platform.org or visit https://prevention-platform.org/ Join us in driving impactful GBV prevention efforts in Southeast Asia!  
 
Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
 
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.