Project Coordinator, Governance Center

Job Summary

In this role you will support the EDP Practice within the Governance Center as the Practice develops and delivers impactful research, policy, and implementation projects. Responsibilities include managing budgets, reporting to donors, processing contract agreements, ensuring grant compliance, liaising with research staff on project deliverables, engaging with vendors and subgrantees, managing outreach efforts through multiple coalitions and platforms, guiding the team through internal processes and systems, planning events, and leading operations for a team matrixed across multiple countries in several of our programs and centers. You will report to the Operations Manager of the Center, working closely with them to implement existing processes and improve processes where needed.

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 – 30%

• Oversee day-to-day financial management for the EDP practice under supervision of the Governance Center Operations Manager
• Monitor monthly expenses and keep direct project budgets up to date in budgeting software
• Deliver updates on project budgets to Project Managers and Practice Directors and alert them of funding deadlines and other financial concerns, especially financial cliffs
• Provide strategic advice to project managers on the best use of funds to ensure achievement of deliverables while maximizing financial resources
• Input into quarterly Governance Center budget reviews on behalf of EDP
• Lead project financial closeout and coordinate with the EDP team in project closeout process, including financial reconciliation and reporting
• Prepare proposal budgets and ensure alignment between proposed activities and budgets
• Lead in identification of potential donors and open calls for proposals for funding
• Research and analyze relevant business development trends and disseminate findings to relevant project managers
• Update and maintain proposal development tools and templates

Grant Management – 30%

• Manage project grants and contracts, including ensuring compliance with terms and conditions and liaising with funders
• Lead the drafting of financial grant reports, including collecting team inputs and transparent accounting of financial records from WRI standard into funder-specific templates
• Lead the drafting of technical grant reports as needed
• Support donor and grants management by keeping contact database updated with timely and accurate information
• Create and maintain subgrant and contract agreements with partners and contractors, including processing payments, and amending agreements when necessary
• Work with partners to build their capacity to understand and meet subgrant and contract requirements
• Track sub-awardee compliance with administrative grant requirements, including the timely submission of reports and audits

Project Management – 30%

• Provide well-rounded proactive operations and management advice to Director of EDP, managing up when needed to ensure sound implementation of projects per donor standards and in resolving operational and coordination issues
• Monitor and track project deliverables to ensure that they are submitted within the period of performance and coordinate the submission of invoices
• Keep track of past performance and lessons learned to use on future project preparation

Administration – 10%

• Lead logistics for internal and external events, workshops, and conferences through A/V and catering preparation, participant and speaker coordination, and preparation of materials
• Coordinate recruitment and manage on-boarding of new EDP staff members and interns
• Prepare expense reports, timesheets, cash advances, and other transactions as needed; ensure timely and accurate submission of timesheets
• Coordinate and schedule team staff meetings and staff retreats

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• At least 1 year full time professional work experience focused on project management and administration, preferably in a non-profit setting
• Experience with IBM Cognos/TM1 or similar budgeting software preferred
• Creative, detail-oriented, and highly organized individual with a strong interest in financial and grant management and program administration/coordination
• Self-motivated with an ability to juggle multiple priorities, handle assignments independently, and work under tight deadlines
• Demonstrated capacity to work well under pressure with competing demands
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to advocate for sound practices and navigate sensitive topics
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills
• Strong computer skills including high level of comfort with Microsoft Office (proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required), web-based communications, and internet research
• US wok authorization required

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

WRI’s Governance Center works to empower people and strengthen governments to build a resilient, just and sustainable future for all. The Governance Center works with governments, the private sector, civil society and the public to address issues that matter most to poor, vulnerable communities: adapting to climate change; affordable, reliable access to clean energy; environmental rights; water and air pollution; social equity; and open, responsive government. Environmental Democracy Practice (EDP) works with citizens and governments to advance transparent, accountable decision-making to protect civic space, universalize access to justice and ensure that development benefits people and the planet.

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.