Grants and Finance Specialist

This position will be hybrid requiring a few days per week in the WRI Washington DC office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission; WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

WRI is spearheading the African Cities Climate Resilience (ACCR) Project Accelerator to build resilience in African cities by promoting the use of community-led nature-based solutions (NbS) and integrated green-gray infrastructure. Using these strategies, cities can achieve resilience and conservation outcomes, for example: restore wetlands to reduce flood risk; clear invasive species to secure water supply; and, expand urban canopy and green space to combat extreme heat. Throughout our work, we ensure that NbS are designed to enhance community well-being and social equity. ACCR partners with cities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Africa, DRC, ROC, Burundi, and Ghana. WRI supports the partner cities in four main work streams: (a) identify and analyze climate risks and opportunities to integrate green and gray infrastructure, (b) design and implement socially inclusive and multisector project plans, (c) develop business cases and access financial resources, and (d) institutionalize NbS in city planning and policy. Taken together, these work streams help cities move ideas into plans, and from plans into funded and implemented initiatives. The ACCR builds on the ongoing work of WRI’s Urban Water Resilience Initiative and Cities4Forests Initiative.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Grants and Finance Manager, you will work with the Cities4Forests (C4F) and Urban Water Resilience (UWR) initiatives at the Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities to provide project management, budgeting, financial management, internal communications, event organizing and other administrative support.

What will you do:

Financial Management(30%):

• Conduct regular reviews, updates, and monitor all transactions, commitments, and revenue prospects across all projects within the team
• Update and maintain project budgets utilizing WRI’s budgeting and forecasting software (TM1)
• Update and maintain project funding and allocations in coordination with workstream/initiative director and project managers
• Coordinate and advise team on budget management and supply financial review template(s) for monthly review meetings with workstream director and operations staff
• Develop fiscal year budget forecasts on a yearly basis in coordination with operations manager and workstream director
• Follow WRI’s internal processes and deadlines related to funding, including quarterly reviews, monthly & annual closeouts, and future fiscal year annual budget submission
• Prepare financial reports for donors under the supervision of the finance manager ensuring accuracy and compliance with donor requirements

Project and Subagreement Management(50%):

• Support in monitoring of program/project performance ensuring alignment with grant requirements and/or contract deliverables
• Draft grant proposal budgets and contributes to the collection and submission of formal proposals for team fundraising efforts
• Support operations and central team by keeping database software (Salesforce) up-to-date
• Review and process documentation for project commitments (i.e. agreements, contracts, amendments, and purchase orders)
• Provide guidance to partner organizations and consultants to ensure their compliance with funder policies, while maintaining proactive and professional communication throughout the project implementation
• Review and process invoices and request for payments from implementing partners, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established internal protocols

Administration (20%):

• Facilitate team meetings and support in the development of agendas and content for project presentations; take notes for the finance manager, and provide follow-up support
• Update and maintain new hire staffing information with operations and provide timesheet guidance to team members on a bi-weekly basis
• Manage multiple program, department, and organizational trackers
• Support teams with event logistics as needed with project manager(s), including participant travel. Financial management includes processing invoices and event contracts through ECM system

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, public policy, non-profit management or a related field is required
• Experience: You have minimum of 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience, preferably in financial management, budgeting, administration, or nonprofit operations, is required
• Keen interest in the mission and work of the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities and can manage multiple projects with varying deadlines
• Strong process orientation with sensitivity to quality, adherence to timelines, and organizational systems
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and demonstrate strong work ethic
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook). Experience with budgeting and project management tools, especially MS Excel, Sharepoint, Salesforce and Asana, is highly desirable
• Ability to work well and effectively with colleagues from diverse national and cultural backgrounds
• Languages: Proficient in spoken and written English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary range is between 69,000 and 73,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive renumeration and benefits package.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of 14 March 2024. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.