Strategic Assistant to the Deputy Regional Director - WRI Africa

Admin

Overview

Provide strategic and administrative support to the Deputy Regional Director.

You have:

• You have completed a bachelor’s degree in management, development studies, or any other relevant discipline
• You have a minimum 6 years of full-time relevant work experience in project management, including budgeting, and project planning, preferably in a non-profit international development setting
• Strong writing skills, and competency in basic analysis, able to synthesize complex data and information, and to communicate in accessible ways
• Ability to be strongly self-directed, proactive, anticipating needs before they arise and developing solutions quickly to support decision-making
• Good understanding of technical, policy and equity issues related to sustainable development, with focus on Africa, or the desire to develop such understanding
• Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization
• High proficiency in Excel, Power Point, and other relevant software tools
• Have worked with senior executives and can demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex topics into actionable and decision ready analysis

This position will be hybrid requiring a few days per week in Nairobi office; WRI Kenya. 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 Africa - WRI has been working in Africa for more than 30 years, supporting local partners and Africa governments to advance forest protection, landscape restoration and sustainable cities. Our vision for Africa is an inclusive transformation so Africa’s people and landscapes flourish. WRI Africa generates actionable knowledge across three strategic pillars: vital landscapes, thriving and resilient cities, and institutional and economic transformation. The Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Africa provides leadership to the growing body of work across Africa with a focus on strategy and effective program delivery. A key role involves overseeing WRI Africa’s engagement in focus countries and ensuring programmatic coherence anchored on locally identified priorities and partners. The DRD reports directly to the Managing Director for Africa & Global Partnerships, working closely with the WRI Africa executive team and the Africa Regional Leadership. The DRD also interfaces on behalf of WRI Africa with the Global Executive Team, the executive leadership body for the World Resources Institute, which consists of the President and CEO, five Managing Directors, the Chief of Institutional Alignment, and the General Counsel. The Strategic Assistant to the Deputy Regional Director will work with a fast-evolving and interdependent leadership team that is collectively leading a prominent African organization through exciting and turbulent times that requires full attention, an openness to change, and an embracing approach.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, you will engage daily with WRI Africa’s DRD, the Africa Executive Team, the Africa Regional Leadership, Africa staff and high-level officials across the continent, giving you insight into WRI Africa’s portfolio of programmatic work and engagement. You will report directly to the DRD. You will be responsible for overall coordination of the DRD’s daily activities. This will include day to day management of projects, communications, prioritizing scheduling, presentations, publications, and publicity. It will also involve coordinating the meetings and communication across several governance, leadership, and management units chaired by the DRD

What will you do:

Administrative Support (40%):

• Organize and manage a high-paced and demanding business diary, scheduling and arranging meetings, and regularly updating the DRD to cover urgent incoming requests
• Manage a fast-flowing email inbox, bringing urgent issues and those requiring action to the attention of the DRD
• Oversee the preparation, checking, and editing of communication, correspondence, and relevant documents
• Manage meeting, event, or email follow up, helping the DRD to record, organize, and prioritize action items
• Organize and prepare for business travel, including bookings, pre-travel paperwork and other requirements (e.g., medical testing or vaccinations) and creating detailed itineraries
• Process travel and expense claims as per institutional policy.
• Help with special administrative projects as assigned. This may include data gathering, fact-checking, record keeping, convening partners or staff members, to assist in decision-making
• Develop workplans and timelines with key milestones as well as basic budget tracking for special projects
• Manage special administrative project close-outs including after-action reviews and lessons learned

Coordination Support (30%):

• Coordinate regular meetings of the DRD's direct reports, supporting on agenda setting, note taking, documentation of action items, and follow ups
• Coordinate regular meetings chaired by the DRD, including meetings of the Africa Executive, the Africa Regional Leadership, the Country Representatives, and other Senior Management bodies
• Coordinate scheduling with Global Teams and with Governance Bodies on behalf of the DRD
• Support the DRD in senior Africa and Global meetings through agenda setting, detailed note taking, synthesizing actions and agreements, and pro-actively ensuring that requisite actions are taken
• Work with other Development & Engagement specialists to coordinate DRD’s participation in and preparation for external meetings, such as donor meetings, partner meetings, government engagements or other events
• Manage coordination of regular key institutional workflows and processes involving the DRD, such as: flexible funding allocations, committee meetings, proposal development processes, large proposal reviews, partnership agreement review, and others
• Liaise with the Communications & Engagement team and related WRI Africa programs to coordinate DRD activity at COP28, Africa Climate Week, Africa Climate Summit, and other diplomatic events

Strategic Support (30%):

• Applying in-depth professional knowledge and expertise to support the DRD in institutional strategic planning activities and decision-making
• Support the DRD in coordinating and overseeing large, often cross-functional and organization-wide projects such as strategy retreats and strategy review
• Support the DRD in convening annual strategy retreats and leadership retreats, including support on agenda setting, coordination, and materials preparation
• Work with the DRD, Regional Leadership, and Country Senior Management Teams to facilitate regular review and revision of regional and country strategies, including the solicitation of internal and external feedback
• Support the Africa Executive Leadership in the institution-wide annual planning and annual reporting exercises, communicating trends and patterns in data to assist in decision-making
• Carry out special strategic management projects to support solving complex problems

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in management, development studies, or any other relevant discipline
• Experience: You have a minimum 6 years of full-time relevant work experience in project management, including budgeting, and project planning, preferably in a non-profit international development setting
• Have worked with senior executives and can demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex topics into actionable and decision ready analysis fit for that audience and then cascade decisions for action
• Strong writing skills, and competency in basic analysis, able to synthesize complex data and information, and to communicate in accessible ways
• Have a track record of organization and time management skills, with experience managing several projects at different stages simultaneously
• Have experience developing workplans including breaking down complex projects into tasks, processes and timelines
• Have experience developing meeting agendas, tracking and developing materials, chairing meetings and organizing events
• Have experience working with political, social and corporate stakeholders, and in stakeholder engagement with demonstrated skills in diplomacy
• Ability to be strongly self-directed, and proactive, anticipating needs before they arise and developing solutions quickly to support decision-making
• Good understanding of technical, policy and equity issues related to sustainable development, with focus on Africa, or the desire to develop such understanding
• High proficiency in Excel, Power Point, and other relevant software tools
• Languages: Proficiency in verbal and written English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: 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 11 March 2024. 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wri.org