Grants and Finance Specialist II, Water Program

Job Summary

In this role, you will be responsible overseeing budgets, grants and contracts for several projects within the Program, as well as the program-wide budget. This will include developing budgets for new proposals, tracking and updating current project budgets and expenditure, preparing financial reports and invoices, prime awards, sub-contracts, and subgrants, and other ad-hoc administrative and operational tasks as needed. You will work closely with WRI’s Grants and Contracts team, members of the Water Program and will be part of a growing team of Grants and Finance Specialists within WRI’s Food, Forests, Water and Ocean Programs.

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

Contract and Subagreement Management (40%)

• Draft and execute contracts and subgrants with partners and contractors
• Process invoices and payments for projects in compliance with WRI’s policies (subgrants, consultancies, work orders, etc.) 
• Monitor partners to ensure the timely and accurate submission of progress and financial reports
• Assist project managers in ensuring compliance with all grants and contracts, particularly detailed government grant requirements

Financial Planning and Administration (40%)

• Prepare annual budgets as well as budgets for all new proposals and grants
• Monitor and manage the Program-wide budget throughout the year in consultation with Global Director
• Monitor and manage the individual project budgets throughout the year in consultation with project managers
• Review and track monthly expenses and staff labor hours, utilizing WRI’s budgeting and forecasting software
• Prepare detailed financial reports to funders as needed and ensure that progress reports are submitted in a timely manner

Project Management (20%)

• Support monitoring and tracking of project deliverables to ensure that they are submitted within the period of performance
• Liaise with Operations staff, International Office staff, Core Communications and stakeholders in other program/centers to problem solve and generate solutions to systemic issues and effective ways to complete tasks as needed
• Work directly with funder to request and submit Prime award amendments, payment requests, and other funder related needs 
• Track program funding opportunities and record information in on-line tracking systems

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Required (Business Administration, Financial Management, or other related discipline)
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience, particularly in financial and budget management
• Detail-oriented, highly organized with experience and interest in program operations, grant compliance, financial management, and budgeting
• Must be adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and have the ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines
• Attention to deadlines, particularly with regards to grant compliance and monitoring subgrantees and contractors
• 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
• Strong writing and proofreading skills
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work well in a team
• US work authorization is required for this position

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

Potential Salary: $53,000 – $68,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

Program Overview

Water Program Overview WRI’s Water Program works with businesses, governments, and civil society to ensure a water-secure future – addressing water quantity and quality issues and water governance challenges. We do this through several projects and initiatives around the world. We conduct economic and other analyses to identify water-related challenges globally and, we identify solutions—such as restoring ecosystem services—to alleviate stresses on the world’s water supplies.

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.