Grants & Finance Specialist, Secretariat of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature & People

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You will be based in our office in Washington DC Office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the Program:

The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC) (www.hacfornatureandpeople.org/home) is an intergovernmental group of 120 countries—co-chaired by Costa Rica and France, championing a global deal for nature and people with the central goal of protecting at least 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean area by 2030. The 30x30 target is a global target which aims to halt the accelerating loss of species and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security. The HAC Secretariat is administered by WRI and hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Washington DC.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to HAC Secretariat Deputy Director, you will integrate equity into your work.

You will manage grants, contracts, and budgets for the HAC Secretariat. This includes developing, managing, and monitoring grants and contracts; developing budgets; tracking and updating budgets; preparing financial reports; processing invoices; managing and monitoring subawards. You will provide relevant information to the HAC management to allow them to take relevant and informed decisions. You will furthermore assist project staff with management of event logistics.

To ensure best practices, you will work with WRI’s Food Land and Water’s operations staff and WRI’s central finance teams, including the cost and pricing team, grants and contracts team, and accounting team.

What will you do:

Grants and Contracts Management (45%): -

• Monitor program/project performance against grant requirements and deliverables and ensure all team members understand the terms and conditions of all grants and contracts
• Track donor reporting requirements and deadlines ensuring that team prepares all narrative reports in a timely manner and leading on preparation of all financial reports
• Prepare proposal budgets for new grants, ensuring all budgets adhere to the requirements of the donor and WRI
• Assemble sub agreement/contract documentation, including procurement documentation, due diligence forms following WRI standard procedures and templates, with oversight from manager.

Financial Management (35%):

• Develop fiscal year and funder budget forecasts on a yearly basis in coordination with the Director
• Regularly review, update, and monitor all transactions, commitments, and revenue prospects to support healthy financial management and help prepare for quarterly projections and reviews
• Follow WRI’s internal processes and deadlines related to financial management, including managing financial quarterly reviews, monthly & annual closeouts of grants and awards, and annual budget planning
• Update and maintain project budgets utilizing WRI’s budgeting and forecasting software (TM1)

Event Management (10%):

• Work with project staff to coordinate event logistics, including but not limited to venue rental, catering, and translation services
• Issue participant travel rates and work with WRI’s travel agency to coordinate 3rd party travel and reimbursement claims
• Prepare and process vendor contracts, including invoicing and credit card payments

Administration (10%) :

• Process documentation for project commitments (i.e., agreements, contracts, work orders, and purchase orders)
• Advise team on budget management, raise and propose solutions to address any financial issues to managers
• Serve as team liaison with central WRI departments (Accounting, HR, G&C, Facilities, etc.) to provide guidance and support to team members on various operational issues and to ensure compliance

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is desired; relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted. Certification may count towards years of relevant work experience
• Experience: You have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in grant administration, financial management or operations, preferably in a non-profit setting
• Experience organizing and managing detailed and complex budgeting structures, donor reporting and/or grant or financial management
• Experience with oral and written communication, working with international teams or projects
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), especially Excel along with writing, database management, and proofreading. Budgeting experience with Excel, or other budgeting software is highly desirable
• Experience handling multiple projects with varying deadlines as well as rapidly changing priorities
• Languages: Fluent in English, with additional common languages (e.g., French, Spanish) a plus
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 84,000 and 95,000

USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 13 November 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities. 
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure
• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution, Paid Time Off

About Us:

Founded in 1982, 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 to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

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.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

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. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.