Grants and Projects Specialist at ONCAT (Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer)

About ONCAT

The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) puts learners first by making it easier to navigate and succeed in Ontario’s postsecondary system. ONCAT drives efficiencies across the postsecondary system through the implementation of shared tools and evidence-based practices that empower learners to receive appropriate academic recognition for their previous postsecondary education, as well as the knowledge and skills they acquired through workplace, non-formal and informal learning experiences. ONCAT manages ONTransfer.ca, an online guide that helps learners explore their transfer and pathway options across colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes. As a convener and sector partner, ONCAT collaborates with postsecondary institutions to advance learner mobility by supporting projects that develop transfer pathways, streamline credit transfer processes and facilitate transitions to the labour market. ONCAT is funded by the Government of Ontario.

To accelerate the expansion and enhancement of opportunities for learner mobility, ONCAT supports Ontario’s publicly assisted postsecondary sector through two broad categories of funding opportunities:

• institutional grants for projects that bolster administrative capacity and/or foster productive collaboration
• research grants for projects that generate new insights about issues related to learner mobility
  
  

Over the past two years, ONCAT has awarded approximately $5 million in funding to 70+ projects that enhanced learner mobility across Ontario.

About The Position

ONCAT is seeking a Grants and Projects Specialist to oversee the full lifecycle of ONCAT funding opportunities and ONCAT-funded projects — from developing information sessions to coordinating the evaluation process to managing financial records to preparing final reports. The ideal candidate is highly organized and detail-oriented, with demonstrated experience in project administration.

Reporting to the Director of Programs and Engagement, this role plays a critical part in supporting projects that drive innovation and improve learner mobility within Ontario’s postsecondary sector.

Join ONCAT and help learners navigate and succeed in their education-to-employment journey. In addition to helping learners navigate and succeed in their education-to-employment journey, the Grants and Projects Administrator role provides robust opportunities to deepen your professional experience in grant administration, stakeholder engagement and project management.

Key Responsibilities

Grants administration (30%)

• Develops administrative processes and task workflows that span the full lifecycle of ONCAT-funded projects.
• Maintains ONCAT’s online funding portal and resolves any technical issues.
• Contributes to the development and distribution of application materials for ONCAT funding opportunities and reporting templates for ONCAT-funded projects.
• Coordinates the evaluation process for ONCAT funding opportunities.
• Drafts funding agreements and related materials for ONCAT-funded projects.
  
  

Project tracking and management (30%)

• Monitors the progress of ONCAT-funded projects.
• Tracks revisions to the activities, deliverables and budgets of ONCAT-funded projects.
• Manages the financial administration of ONCAT-funded projects (e.g., processing invoices).
• Ensures that the administration of ONCAT’s funding opportunities and ONCAT-funded projects comply with best practices for audit requirements and risk mitigation.
  
  

Engagement and communication (20%)

• Responds to inquiries about ONCAT funding opportunities.
• Communicates with applicants and funding recipients about timelines, required materials, etc.
• Coordinates the planning and development of information sessions and resource materials that support applicants and funding recipients.
• Helps disseminate information about ONCAT funding opportunities to postsecondary institutions and organizations that support postsecondary education.
  
  

Analysis and reporting (20%)

• Generates regular and ad hoc reports about ONCAT’s funding opportunities and ONCAT-funded projects for internal use and ONCAT communications materials.
• Maintains an ongoing record of ONCAT’s funding-related financial records, including payment status, commitments and projections.
• Prepares information about ONCAT’s funding opportunities and ONCAT-funded projects for government inquiries and reports.
• Contributes to the analysis of trends and insights related to ONCAT’s funding opportunities and ONCAT-funded projects
  
  

Essential Qualifications And Experience

• 5+ years of experience in roles involving project administration, ideally at a postsecondary institution or a non-profit organization
• Exceptional organization skills, proficiency with Excel and familiarity with database management, task automation, AI and/or other tools
• Demonstrated experience with financial administration and familiarity with budget preparation and standard accounting practices
• Excellent communication skills, especially with email correspondence that requires a high degree of professionalism and discretion
• A diploma or degree in a relevant field
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the administration of grants or requests for proposals (RFPs).
• Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing ways to improve workflow efficiencies, especially by leveraging technology
• Familiarity with best practices for audit requirements and risk mitigation
• Familiarity with Ontario’s postsecondary sector
• Ability to work in both official languages (English and French)
  
  

Why you’ll love working here

• Be part of a collaborative team committed to creativity, equity and innovation in Ontario’s postsecondary sector.
• Enjoy meaningful work that makes a real impact on student success and learner mobility.
• Benefit from a hybrid schedule that supports flexibility and work-life balance.
• Work in a convenient downtown Toronto location with easy transit access.
• Contribute to projects and initiatives that shape the future of Ontario’s postsecondary sector.
  
  

ONCAT is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free recruitment process to applicants with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require an accommodation during this process, please inform ONCAT of your requirements.

ONCAT welcomes qualified applications from persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples from North America, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, visible minorities (racialized) persons and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.ONCAT supports an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace.

Application review begins Thursday, January 15, 2026.