Grants and Finance Specialist

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can 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 Clean Air Catalyst (CAC) is a flagship program launched by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), World Resources Institute (WRI) and Environmental Defence Fund (EDF) to accelerate clean air solutions by working with communities around the world to identify and raise awareness of local pollution sources and build focused, robust coalitions to deliver interventions that lead to cleaner, healthier air. The project is working in three initial pilot cities: Indore, India, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Nairobi, Kenya. Through these pilots, the project will not only generate new, societally relevant scientific findings, but will also create a practical, field-tested playbook for convening collaboration among key stakeholders, identifying and building awareness of air quality priorities, and leveraging USAID missions’ strengths to deliver and sustain cleaner air.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to Trace Carlson, Operations Manager, Air Quality Program, you will support the Clean Air Catalyst project and may support other air quality projects within the air quality program at the Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, if budget allows, by providing project management, financial, contractual, and administrative support. You will be working on budgets, subgrants, and contracts for a USAID-funded project and may help on other air quality projects if funding allows, so we are looking for a detail-oriented individual with an ability to manage multiple tasks.

You will be supported by the Operations Manager, Project Manager, and the Chief of Party to carry out this role to provide a direct impact on the project. You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work

What will you do:

Financial Management (50%):

• Budget Management – Learn how to update and maintain single project budget utilizing WRI’s budgeting and forecasting software (TM1)
• Proposal Budget Development – Learn how to develop proposal budgets and assist in the collection and submission of formal proposals for team fundraising efforts
• Fiscal Year Cost Planning – Assists project team in preparations for and implementation of the annual Cost Planning process
• Revenue Management & Financial Reporting – Prepares and assists on financial reports to donors, under supervision
• Financial Transactions – Regularly reviews, updates, and monitors all transactions, commitments, and revenue prospects for designated team projects including monthly-close, revenue allocations, partner/grant invoices, subgrant reporting and request for payments. Helps track revenue commitments, under supervision
• Monthly Financial Reviews – Coordinates and assists team monthly on budget management and supplies financial review template(s) for review with workstream director(s) and operations staff, under supervision
• Institutional Policy Alignment – Follows WRI’s internal processes and deadlines related to funding and expenses, including preparations for quarterly reviews, monthly & annual closeouts, and fiscal year forecasting

Project, Grant, and Contract Management (40%): -

• Grant, Contract, Subgrant, and Procurement Initiation and Drafting – Learn how to process the documentation for project commitments (agreements, contracts, subgrants, work authorizations, procurements, and purchase orders) and draft the agreements, under supervision
• Partner Compliance – Informs project management team on guidance for partner organizations and consultants by providing documentation for them to review to help them understand and comply with subgrant and contract requirements in accordance with funder policies
• Salesforce Updates – Learn how to support donor and grants management by keeping database software (Salesforce) and SharePoint folders up to date, including proposal fundraising opportunities
• Reporting Support – Assists project managers to understand reporting requirements required by donors

Administration and Operations (10%): -

• Staff Count – Update and maintain new hire staffing information with operations
• Timesheet Guidance – Provide timesheet guidance to team members on a bi-weekly basis
• Financial Event Logistics – Assist in financial management of conference and event logistics as needed, including participant travel. Financial management includes processing invoices and event contracts through ECM system
• Document Organization – Complete various program, department, and organizational trackers to provide monthly updates for review with Program Directors and operations staff
• Project Closeout – Support senior financial staff in their role supporting project teams with closeout process, including turnover documentation and financial reconciliation

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, public policy, political science, non-profit management, international affairs. Relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted
• Experience: You have a minimum of 2 years of work experience preferably in financial management, budgeting, administration, or nonprofit operations
• Keen interest in the mission and work of the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Proven experience managing budgeting structures
• You are a detail-oriented, highly organized individual with experience and interest in program management, financial management, budgeting, and writing
• Must be adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and can manage multiple projects with varying deadlines
• Strong process orientation with sensitivity to quality, timelines, and organizational systems
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong writing, database management, and proofreading skills
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), especially Excel
• Budgeting experience with Excel, or other budgeting software is highly desirable
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to work well in a team and with international colleagues
• Languages: Fluent in English, with additional languages skills are 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 57,000 and 64,000 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 12 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.