STAND Grants and Contracts Manager

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Nairobi or Rwanda, Kenya; WRI Kenya. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

The Office of Grants and Contracts supports WRI Programs, Centers and international offices with funding award and subaward administration support, procurement and compliance guidance. You will specifically oversee the Defender Small Grant Fund administration for the Equity Center’s Standing Together for Environmental Defenders Initiative (The STAND Initiative). STAND is designed to expand available resources and strengthen the ability of Grassroots Environmental Defenders (GEDs) to use procedural rights as part of their advocacy, while using appropriate safety and protection strategies. The STAND Initiative will create differentiated capacity-building programs in Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Kenya and offer grants to GEDs in each country through the Defender Small Grant Fund (DSGF).

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the WRI’s Senior Manager, Grants & Contracts, Africa and the STAND Project Manager, you will oversee the due diligence and administration of WRI’s sub-granting and procurement activities as part of the Defender Small Grant Fund. This includes reviewing and approving DSGF grant, contract, and amendment requests to ensure application of WRI policies and U.S. Department of State regulations and sound agreement formation. You will be supported by the Global Grants & Contracts department, County Lead Organizations who manage the country work and the STAND Grants and Finance Specialist.

What will you do:

Grants & Contracts Management (80%):

• Review and approve DSGF grant, contract, and amendment requests to ensure application of WRI policies and U.S. Department of State regulations and sound agreement formation.
• Administer WRI agreement processes (for both contracts and grants)
• Maintain an understanding of all applicable agreement terms and conditions, consulting with WRI’s finance/ Grants and Contracts team as needed.
• Review DSGF subgrantee organizational assessments and recommend monitoring and controls based on risk categorizations.
• Ensure that program staff have the tools and information to ensure proper governance and compliance with US Department of State (DOS) funder requirements and WRI policies for grantmaking. This includes coordinating with WRI Grants and Contracts staff; DOS Grants Officer Representative and Grant Officer for STAND project as needed.
• Maintain and enhance the subrecipient monitoring/tracking system and work with WRI Grants and Contracts and program staff to ensure timely collection and review of all subgrantee audits.
• Process and track agreements, extract information and prepare reports.
• Provide ongoing advice to WRI staff and partners including DSGF grantees on WRI and DOS requirements for accurate progress and financial reports.
• Ensure that the closeout of subgrants is timely and efficient; that all required documents are obtained and filed; and that subgrantee files meet legal and auditing requirements.
• Support WRI’s push for a more diverse partner and contractor portfolio, by helping implement or develop innovative due diligence solutions for expanding the Institute’s work with small organizations and entities from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups.
• Contribute to communications and trainings about Grants & Contracts policies, practices, and procedures

Financial Capacity Building (20%):

• Help develop DSGF Applicant Guidelines and participate in webinars and other technical support venues to provide GED support in filling out required application financial and organizational data and information
• Provide ongoing technical support to build the capacity of DSGF grantees to receive and manage increasingly larger sums of funding
• Work with Program-identified partners to bolster their compliance, operational, and administrative capacities
• Contribute to communications and trainings about Grants & Contracts policies, practices, and procedures

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in the field of business management, finance, public administration or related field required. Grant or Contract Administration certification desirable.
• Experience: You have a minimum of 5 years of experience in financial management and administration, preferably in a non-profit setting
• Knowledge of U.S. Government rules and regulations, 2 CFR 200, grants and contracts management and reporting requirements
• Experience managing US Department of State Cooperative Agreement requirements highly desirable
• Experience working with complex and detailed donor agreements, contracts and other legal documents
• Experience using tools such as MS Office, Salesforce, and/or SharePoint
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team and with other colleagues across teams in an efficient, coordinated, and flexible manner
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, work well under pressure, and prioritize multiple, competing priorities
• Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English required. Fluency in French and/or Spanish is strongly preferred
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 15 June 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
• 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.