Programme Associate

Oak Foundation's mission ( www.oakfnd.org ) is to contribute to a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world. With offices in Europe, Africa, and North America, Oak Foundation makes grants to organisations globally.

This is a great opportunity to join a diverse, international team within Oak Foundation’s Environment Programme team. The programme comprises three interconnected sub-programmes: Marine Food Systems and Livelihoods, Nature and People, and Regenerative Landscapes. Our strategy supports approaches that safeguard our future and restore our connection to nature. Through a systems-change approach we seek to address the root causes of environmental and social challenges, generating lasting benefits for people and biodiversity. You can read more about the Environment Programme’s strategy here.

Programme Associate

The programme associate will provide grant-making, analytical, operational, administrative, and knowledge management support to the Environment Programme. Working closely with programme officers, programme assistant, and the programme director, the role contributes to effective grant-making, portfolio analysis, programme learning, grantee engagement, cross-programme coordination, and operational excellence in support of the programme’s strategic objectives.

Passion, motivation, and a commitment to efficiency and meeting tight deadlines are essential, as is a desire to work as part of a team. This role offers a successful candidate the opportunity to help shape Oak’s grant-making in the most impactful way possible. This role offers some international work travel opportunities.

The programme associate’s responsibilities will include:

Grant management and portfolio support

• Support grant-making processes across the Environment Programme, from application review through to grant closure, including due diligence, grant summaries, recommendations, reporting, and database management.
• Manage routine administration of assigned grants and ensure accurate and timely records within Oak's grants management system.
• Monitor the portfolio of grants, including occasional site visits, and support grant reporting, learning, and compliance processes.

Strategic analysis, learning, and reporting

• Conduct research, portfolio analysis, and data visualisation to support programme strategy and decision-making.
• Identify trends, risks, opportunities, and lessons across the programme portfolio and synthesize findings for internal learning and planning.
• Prepare analytical briefs, dashboards, presentations, and reports for programme leadership, Trustees, and other internal audiences.
• Organise presentations to Trustees and President, including timely preparation of briefing packets.
• Support programme planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.

Programme coordination and partner engagement

• Coordinate planning, reporting, and collaboration across the three sub-programmes.
• Help organise partner meetings, workshops, webinars, learning exchanges, and strategic convenings, including preparation, documentation, and follow-up.
• Facilitate communication and the sharing of information among programme staff, grantees, and external stakeholders.

Communications and knowledge management

• Help coordinate programme communications, including presentations, reports, knowledge products, web content, and other internal and external materials.
• Manage programme knowledge management systems and ensure information is organised, accessible, and effectively maintained.
• Support the collection and synthesis of partner stories, research, publications, and lessons.

Operations and administration

• In coordination with the programme assistant, support travel, consultant contracting, grants budgets, financial tracking, and logistical arrangements for programme activities.
• Manage programme correspondence and respond to enquiries, letters of inquiry, and unsolicited proposals as appropriate.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of programme systems, workflows, and reporting processes.
• Support the team with use of technology.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the role, including back-up for the programme assistant.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and profile:

• University Degree or evidenced equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• At least three years’ relevant professional experience within the philanthropy, environment, human rights, or conservation sectors (an advanced degree may substitute for one year of experience).
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, detail oriented, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation systems, which measure the impact of environmental projects.
• Ability to take initiative, to work independently, and as part of a team.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Successful track record of multi-tasking, and the ability to serve a seven-person team with competing needs and requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and an appreciation for multi-cultural diversity.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills in English. French is highly recommended, and other languages such as Chinese, Portuguese, or Spanish desirable.
• Excellent command of MS Suite of software and the ability to quickly become proficient in Oak’s internal database programme.
• Facility with other technology, including artificial intelligence tools.
• A demonstrated commitment to the values of Oak Foundation .
• Applicants must have EU/Swiss citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland.

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter explaining why they are the right candidate for the position by 25 August 2026. Please note that we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates.

By submitting your application, you confirm that you have read and understood Oak’s job applicant’s data privacy notice .

Oak Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, as detailed in our child safeguarding policy . We expect all staff to share this commitment. Please note that the successful candidate will undergo reference checks and be required to provide a police record prior to starting employment.