Grants & Finance Specialist II, New Climate Economy

Job Summary
In this role, you will support the New Climate Economy (NCE) team as they develop and deliver impactful research, policy, and implementation projects. You will provide primary operational support and leadership for cutting-edge country-focused NCE projects in Indonesia, Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, and potentially more international locations. Your responsibilities include financial management and analysis, grants & contracts management, database and knowledge management, team coordination, international partner management and event logistics. As opportunities emerge, you will help scope out new project lines and new geographies, coordinate funding proposals and grant reports, review work plans, support recruitment efforts, and address other project needs and challenges.

You will be successful in this role if you have great time and priority management skills, the ability to problem-solve independently, interest in communicating with external partners and donors, working knowledge of business and/or nonprofit operations, excellent interpersonal and management skills, and an interest or understanding of international team dynamics.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you can be based at one of our Worldwide WRI offices once restrictions have lifted. Please note: WRI cannot provide work sponsorship, so applicants must have valid work authorization and currently live in the WRI country office of which they’d like to work. 

Job Responsibilities
Project & Financial Management (50%)

• Support and advise managers in creating and managing project budgets in line with WRI transparency and risk mitigation strategies and monitor throughout project lifecycle
• Provide updates to Program leadership regarding broader NCE activities, status, and taking initiative to identify and track potential operational or financial risks and proposed solutions
• Support project managers in the successful execution of established workplans, alternative scenario planning, and active trouble-shooting of project disruptions or new opportunities
• Process agreements, contracts, subgrants, work authorizations, and purchase orders in support of project workstreams; process invoices and payments in compliance with WRI policies and procedures
• Review and track expenses, outstanding vendor contracts, and active external subgrants across multiple projects and grants

Grant & Partner Management (40%)

• Coordinate fundraising efforts across NCE global- and country-focused work areas, including development of proposal budgets, collection and submission of complete application packages, tracking opportunities, and navigating internal review process
• Manage and oversee NCE grants to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of complex international grants, leads the drafting of financial and narrative grant reports, and successfully execute project- and cross-initiative grants
• Monitor grant compliance and reporting requirements of subgrant partners and contractors, flagging issues for project manager and communicating with partners and donor contacts as appropriate
• Ensure the timely and accurate submission of progress reports and preparation of all financial reports and support of any external audits
• Maintain timely and accurate information on donors and contacts, including regular updates of donor and grant management database software

Administration (10%)

• Coordinate internal project planning and reporting processes for NCE, including annual project planning, and quarterly project reports, financial reports, and outcomes reporting
• Ensure proper administrative support for project staff as needed, to include: meeting planning and logistics, action-item follow-up, recruitment and onboarding new staff and interns, tracking project deadlines, etc
• Provide support for external events, workshops, and conferences and coordinate internal and external meetings as needed 
• Coordinate recruitment and manage on-boarding of new staff members; position may manage junior staff or interns as appropriate

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required in environmental studies, nonprofit operations, business administration, or with sufficient relevant work experience to demonstrate applicability toward the position
• Two+ years of professional experience including grants management, finance, and/or operations experience
• Adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and the ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines
• Attention to deadlines particularly with regard to grant compliance and monitoring subgrant and contract relationships
• Strong process orientation with sensitivity to quality, timelines, and organizational systems
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Flexibility to occasionally take late night or early morning calls to accommodate partners in other time zones
• Demonstrated team player who is friendly, flexible, and can navigate working with several project managers who may have differing approaches/styles
• Strong computer skills including high level of comfort with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), web-based communications (Microsoft Teams, Zoom); experience with CRM databases (esp. Salesforce) or advanced budgeting (Microsoft Cognos) preferred
• Commitment to WRI’s mission, values, and approach
• Valid work authorization required. WRI cannot provide visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

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

Potential Salary: $53,000 – $68,000 if based in our Washington DC office. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. 

Program Overview
WRI’s Global Climate Program seeks the radical transformation that the science requires to protect the natural resources which are at the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being. The research shows that we are not yet on track and despite encouraging progress in some areas, extraordinary action is necessary in several other areas to meet the milestones. Within WRI’s Global Climate Program, the New Climate Economy (NCE) built the evidence base to demonstrate that climate action is not only complementary to, but essential for, economic development. Rigorous modeling and analysis clearly show that climate-smart development is the growth story of the 21st century. Moreover, countries that delay climate action risk missing opportunities for economic growth and development gains. Building on this evidence base, the NCE and, more broadly, WRI’s National Climate Action initiative, are now focused on translating this compelling global narrative and analysis into specific, actionable plans for key emerging and developing countries

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.