Grants and Finance Specialist II, Ocean Program

Job Summary

In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing budgets, contracts and sub-contracts for the Initiative. This will include developing budgets for new proposals, tracking and updating current project budgets, preparing financial reports, invoices, and managing and monitoring contracts and sub-contracts. You will provide general oversight of the SOI as well as day-to-day responsibility for the Ocean Panel project. Working closely with the  WRI’s grants and contracts team and project managers within the Ocean Program, you will be part of a growing team of Grants and Finance Specialists within the Food, Forests, Water and Ocean Program.

This is a limited term opportunity until 30 September 2022.

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

Job Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Administration (50%)

• Prepare the annual program budget and to develop budgets for all new proposals and grants with assistance from the G&F Specialist I
• Monitor and manage the program budget throughout the year to prepare quarterly projections and reviews in consultation with the SOI Director and the Senior Operations Manager for the Food, Forests, Water and Ocean Programs and with support from the G&F Specialist I
• Review and track monthly expenses and staff labor hours with assistance from the G&F Specialist I
• Prepare detailed financial reports (and narrative reports where required) to donors and ensure that progress reports are submitted in a timely manner

Contract and Subgrant Management (30%)

• Draft and revise contracts and subgrants with multiple partners across different countries
• Monitor partners’ deadlines to ensure the timely and accurate submission of progress and financial reports
• Provide guidance to the SOI Director and Ocean Program to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of all grants and contracts
• Submit and track requests for payment and ensure that payments processed are consistent with WRI’s internal policies and grant requirements

Program/Project Management (20%)

• Monitor project deliverables and prepare standard project and financial reports, both internally and externally
• Liaise with internal staff and stakeholders to problem solve and generate solutions to systemic issues and effective ways to complete tasks as needed
• Support donor stewardship and communications – especially as it relates to finance and compliance issues
• Additional administrative duties as needed

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in financial management and administration, preferably in a non-profit setting
• Detail-oriented and organized thinker, with an interest in program operations, grant compliance, financial management, and budgeting
• Demonstrated judgment and problem-solving skills
• Must be adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and have the ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines
• Patience and perseverance in understanding and explaining issues to partners and contractors
• Strong process orientation with sensitivity to quality
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and demonstrated strong work ethic
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills – especially with Excel. Office 365 experience a plus

How to Apply

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

Program Overview

The World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) is focused on accelerating progress toward a sustainable ocean economy and achievement of SDG 14 – the Ocean Goal. The Initiative supports efforts to address the numerous challenges the ocean faces and encourage conservation of the marine environment alongside the sustainable use of the marine resources that are so crucial to many countries’ economic development and human well-being. To advance this, the Initiative serves as the Secretariat to two globally influential ocean initiatives, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) and the Friends of Ocean Action (with the World Economic Forum). Other key initiatives include Ocean Watch and ocean work in WRI’s international offices. These initiatives allow us to place cutting edge research and analysis in the hands of decision makers to shape agendas and policies at the highest levels of business and government. With ocean partners, WRI works to raise the profile of the ocean on the international stage and catalyse and accelerate responsive action and innovative solutions for a sustainable ocean economy. Learn more at https://www.wri.org/ocean

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.