Grants and Finance Specialist I, Ross Center Global Core Functions

Job Summary
The Global Operations, Strategy, and Communications teams are part of the WRI Ross Center’s Core Functions, responsible for the coordination and support of the entire program’s activities and strategic direction. In this role, you will play a central role in this institutional coordination by helping to ensure the financial health of the program and its compliance with donor requests and restrictions. You will manage a portfolio of highly matrixed project budgets,  and you will collaborate effectively with your counterparts on all of the program’s other teams and international offices located in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Turkey, India, China, Africa and Europe.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based at WRI’s office in Washington, DC once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities
Financial Management (50% time)

• Regularly reviews, updates, and monitors all transactions, commitments, and revenue prospects for all team projects, including ensuring that Core Function team members are properly budgeted across the program’s projects
• Update and maintain project budgets utilizing WRI’s budgeting and forecasting software (TM1)
• Update and maintain project funding and allocations in coordination with workstream director(s) and project managers
• Coordinates and advises teams monthly on budget management and supplies financial review template(s) for review with workstream director(s) and operations staff
• Assist Global Operations team in preparations for and implementation of the annual Cost-Planning process
• Follows WRI’s internal processes and deadlines related to funding, including quarterly reviews, monthly & annual closeouts, and future fiscal year annual budget submission
• Processes invoices and pay applications for projects in compliance with established governance
• Prepares and supports financial reports to donors, under supervision

Project & Grant Management (40% time)

• Processes documentation for project commitments (i.e. agreements, contracts, work authorizations, and purchase orders)
• Monitors program/project performance against contract requirements and deliverables
• Drafts grant proposal budgets and assists in the collection and submission of formal proposals for team fundraising efforts
• Supports donor and grants management by keeping database software (Salesforce) up-to-date
• Supports preparation of detailed proposal budgets and institutional knowledge management for all grants and proposals
• Supports reporting on grants including gathering information on accomplishments, activities and challenges for funders

Operations (10% time)

• Coordinates and schedules team meetings and assists in coordination of team’s planning processes
• Update and maintain new hire staffing information with Operations
• Provide timesheet guidance to team members on a bi-weekly basis
• Manage various program, department, and organizational trackers, including the WRI Ross Center’s organization chart, Grants & Contracts Priority Board items, and official program staff count

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, public policy, political science, non-profit management, international affairs, or similar subject required, master’s degree preferred
• One+ years of relevant, full-time work experience, preferably in financial management, budgeting, administration, or nonprofit operations
• Keen interest in the mission and work of the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Proven experience managing budgeting structures
• The position requires a detail-oriented, highly organized individual with experience and interest in program management, financial management, budgeting, and writing
• Must be adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and can manage multiple projects with varying deadlines
• Strong process orientation with sensitivity to quality, timelines, and organizational systems
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong writing, database management, and proofreading skills
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), especially Excel
• Budgeting experience with Excel, or other budgeting software is highly desirable
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to work well in a team and with international colleagues
• In addition to excellent written and spoken English, additional language skills are a plus, especially in Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Chinese, French, Hindi
• US work authorization is required for all WRI US opportunities. WRI is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. 

Potential Salary: $46,000 – $60,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

Program Overview
The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities (Cities Program) helps to transform cities into compact, connected and resilient spaces that provide healthy, accessible and prosperous living environments for their residents. We coordinate the Cities Program’s extensive technical and practical expertise through eight integrated solution areas: Integrated Transport Systems, Vision Zero, Zero Carbon Buildings, Livable Neighborhoods, E-Mobility, Water/Heat Resilience, Air Quality and Inclusive Climate & Energy Action Planning. Data and Urban Finance are cross-cutting themes that inform all of our solution offerings. We implement our solutions by working deeply with multiple stakeholders over long periods of time in large to demonstrate possibilities in rapidly transforming cities. We expand our impact to other cities by leveraging these demonstrated possibilities to convene multiple cross-sectoral stakeholders and partnering with city networks. Our research and projects in cities and in national policies connect environmental sustainability, health, safety, equity and quality of life.

WRI Overview 
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 in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. 

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect. 

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.  

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.   

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.