Project Specialist II, Vital Landscapes

Job Summary:

As the Project Coordinator, you will support the Vital Landscapes staff as they develop and deliver impactful research, policy, and implementation projects across the Continent. In this role, you will provide financial, administrative, and operational support for a team of engagement experts in the Africa region. In this position, you will coordinate closely with research and support staff in WRI’s Global office and help manage and coordinate multiple projects from international funding organizations. You will be responsible for financial management, grants & contracts execution, team coordination, and events logistics in this role. Your additional duties may include communications, support review work plans, support recruitment efforts, and other appropriate duties as assigned

Job Responsibilities:

Project Management and Administration (40% time)

• Support project managers in coordinating with external partners and provide close liaison with WRI research and operational staff in WRI Africa and WRI Global offices
• Support project managers in the development and tracking of project work plans, deliverables, and task assignments
• Process contracts, work orders, and other formal documentation for project commitments
• Monitor program/project performance against contract requirements
• Support outreach efforts on behalf of projects
• Coordinate and schedule team meetings and assist in the coordination of the team’s planning process
• Coordinate recruitment and manage the onboarding of new staff members and interns, as needed
• Other duties may be assigned

Financial Management (30% time)

• Regularly review, update and monitor all transactions, commitments, and revenue prospects for all team projects in collaboration with the project manager
• Coordinate and advise project managers on budget management, including use of advanced budgeting software, monthly financial tracking, and supporting project managers in expense forecasting and revenue analysis
• Supply timely financial reports and analysis to project managers and program operations staff under supervision
• Processes invoices and pay applications for projects in compliance with established governance
• Manage grant closeout process, including donor reports, compliance, and audits

Grant Management (20% time)

• Draft grant proposal budgets and assist in the collection & submission of formal proposals for all team fundraising efforts for multiple project grants
• Coordinate proposal and grant reporting documentation packages for internal review and submit
• Support donor and grant management by keeping internal database up to date
• Ensure team compliance with terms and conditions of complex grant and contract agreements

Conference & Event Support (10% time)

• Coordinate conference and event logistics for domestic and international meetings and workshops, including venue and catering, equipment or translators, travel and visa support for the team
• Coordinate event participant travel, accommodation, and any per diem support, including the proper documentation and compliance with any grant terms
• Plan, coordinate, and manage informational and training webinars associated with project reports or methodologies to diverse, globally dispersed online participants
• Travel may be required but is not guaranteed.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields like project management, accounting, or project administration; relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant full-time work experience is required, preferably in project management and coordination, financial management, grants or contract management, or other nonprofit operations or a combination of the above
• Must be adaptable to change and have the ability to manage varying deadlines rapidly
• Attention to details, particularly regarding grant compliance, budgets, and contract relationships
• Strong process orientation with sensitivity to quality, timeliness, and organizational systems
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to work well in a team
• Excellence in English; Ability to write and speak French is an added advantage for this position

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with cover letter. Resume and cover letter must be submitted in English to be considered. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. 

Program Overview:

WRI’s strategy for Africa is to catalyze a green, inclusive, and resilient transformation of Africa’s economies for the benefit of people and landscapes. Our work at sub-national, national and regional level is being streamlined in three inter-connected pillars: Vital Landscapes, Thriving Resilient Cities, and Institutional and Economic Transformation. Food systems work fall under Vital Landscapes. The vision for the Vital landscapes pillar is an integrated landscape approach for management of forests, agricultural lands, and water bodies for prosperity of Africa’s people and to deliver on biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation in Africa.

To realize this vision, the pillar covers work around four key areas:

• Forest protection/conservation and landscape restoration
• Food systems transformation
• Integrated ocean management
• Tackling inequality by embedding equity across all aspects of our work

Vital landscape projects and programs span across more than 10 African countries, led by a vibrant and dynamic team of researchers and project implementors. There is strong coordination with WRI global teams that work on Food, Forests, Oceans, and the Equity lab.

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.