This position can be based in any of the WRI offices in Nairobi, Kigali or Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:
The Office of Grants and Contracts supports WRI Programs, Centers and international offices with funding award and subaward administration support, as well as procurement and compliance guidance. This position will closely support WRI’s Global Restoration Initiative (GRI), a flagship initiative of the Food, Land and Water program at WRI that works with governments, grassroots community organizations, entrepreneurs and international partners to inspire, enable, and implement restoration on degraded landscapes, returning them to economic and environmental productivity. Our programmatic work centers on ensuring that restoration practitioners have access to technical assistance, financing, enabling policies and robust monitoring systems they need to be successful.

Job Highlight:

The Grants and Contracts Associate works with Global Grants and Contracts (G&C) Managers in overseeing the due diligence and administration of WRI’s sub-granting and procurement activities. This position will be embedded in the Grants & Contracts department and work closely with Global Restoration Initiative’s Operations and Management team to support the delivery of funding to local restoration practitioners, with an initial focus in Africa. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the Global Restoration Initiative’s commitment to invest significant capital and capacity in the restoration of Africa’s farms, forests, and pastures. You will join a growing team of finance, public policy, project management, product development, and monitoring experts that are working to turn the goal of AFR100 – Africa’s ambitious commitment to restore 100 million hectares of land by 2030 – into a reality. You will report to WRI’s Director of Grants & Contracts and GRI’s Operations Manager.

What will you do:

Grants & Contracts Administration (80%):

• Ensure that program staff have the tools and information to ensure proper governance and compliance with funder requirements and WRI policies Support WRI’s push for a more diverse partner and contractor portfolio, expanding the Institute’s work with small organizations and entities from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups
• Review subgrantee organizational assessments and recommend monitoring and controls based on risk categorizations
• Maintain and enhance the subrecipient monitoring tracking system and work with G&C and program staff to ensure timely collection and review of all subgrantee audits
• Work with Program staff to plan high-integrity procurements and establish contracts that ensure value for money
• Review and approve grant, contract, and amendment requests to ensure application of WRI policies and sound agreement formation
• Advises WRI staff and partners on requirements for accurate progress and financial reports
• Ensure that the closeout of subgrants is timely and efficient; that all required documents are obtained and filed; and that subgrantee files meet legal and auditing requirements
• Contribute to communications and trainings about Grants & Contracts policies, practices, and procedures

Financial Capacity Building (20%):

• Create and maintain a pipeline of financial capacity and grant administration needs of the local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community-based organizations receiving WRI restoration funding
• Provide technical support to build the capacity of these local organizations to receive and manage increasingly larger sums of funding
• Work with Program-identified partners to bolster their compliance, operational, and administrative capacities

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a Bachelors’ degree in business management, finance, public administration or related field preferred. Grant or Contract Administration certification desirable
• Experience: You have 5+ years of experience in financial management and administration, preferably in a non-profit setting
• You have experience working with complex and detailed donor agreements, contracts and other legal documents
• You have experience using tools such as MS Office, Salesforce, and/or Sharepoint
• You have experience communicating complex issues to colleagues and partners
• Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English required. Fluency in French preferred. Fluency in any of WRI’s other languages is a bonus (Mandarin, Bahasa, Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.)

Potential Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of October 4, 2023. You mustapply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
• 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.

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, 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.