Grants and Finance Specialist I, Cities

Job Summary

The Coalition for Urban Transitions (CUT) is jointly managed by C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and World Resources Institute Ross Center. A partnership of 37 diverse stakeholders across five continents drives the Coalition, including leading urban-focused institutions and their practice leaders from major think-tanks, research institutions, city networks, international organizations, major investors, infrastructure providers, and strategic advisory companies. Since its launch in 2016, the Coalition has built a rigorous evidence base to support the strong economic case for smarter urbanization. It equips policy-makers with the evidence they need to make better informed decisions on large scale urban planning and infrastructure investment. And it helps them take the first steps toward establishing the policy, financing, and governance mechanisms necessary for thriving cities and prosperous countries.

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

Project & Grant Management (50% time)

Processes documentation for project commitments (i.e. agreements, contracts, work authorizations, and purchase orders)

Monitors program/project performance against contract requirements and deliverables

Drafts grant proposal budgets and assists in the collection and submission of formal proposals for team fundraising efforts

Supports donor and grants management by keeping database software (Salesforce) up-to-date

Supports preparation of detailed proposal budgets and institutional knowledge management for all grants and proposals

Supports reporting on grants including gathering information on accomplishments, activities and challenges for funders

Financial Management (40% time)

Regularly reviews, updates, and monitors all transactions, commitments, and revenue prospects for all team projects. Address deficits, revenue reallocations, reclasses, etc.

Update and maintain project budgets utilizing WRI’s budgeting and forecasting software (TM1)

Update and maintain project funding and allocations in coordination with workstream director(s) and project managers

Coordinates and advises team monthly on budget management and supplies financial review template(s) for review with workstream director(s) and operations staff

Develop fiscal year budget forecasts on a yearly basis in coordination with operations and your workstream director

Follows WRI’s internal processes and deadlines related to funding, including quarterly reviews, monthly & annual closeouts, and future fiscal year annual budget submission

Processes invoices and pay applications for projects in compliance with established governance

Prepares and supports financial reports to donors, under supervision

Administration (10% time)

Coordinates and schedules team meetings and assists in coordination of team’s planning processes

Update and maintain new hire staffing information with operations

Provide timesheet guidance to team members on a bi-weekly basis

Manage various program, department, and organizational trackers

Supports teams with financial management for conference and event logistics as needed, including participant travel

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, public policy, political science, non-profit management, international affairs, or similar subject required, master’s degree preferred

Minimum of 1 year of relevant, full-time 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

The position requires 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

In addition to excellent written and spoken English, additional language skills are a plus, especially in Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Chinese, French, Hindi

US work authorization is required for this opportunity

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

The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities (Cities Program) helps to transform cities into compact, connected and resilient spaces that provide healthy, accessible and prosperous living environments for their residents. We coordinate the Cities Program’s extensive technical and practical expertise through eight integrated solution areas: Integrated Transport Systems, Vision Zero, Zero Carbon Buildings, Livable Neighborhoods, E-Mobility, Water/Heat Resilience, Air Quality and Inclusive Climate & Energy Action Planning. Data and Urban Finance are cross-cutting themes that inform all of our solution offerings. We implement our solutions by working deeply with multiple stakeholders over long periods of time in large to demonstrate possibilities in rapidly transforming cities. We expand our impact to other cities by leveraging these demonstrated possibilities to convene multiple cross-sectoral stakeholders and partnering with city networks. Our research and projects in cities and in national policies connect environmental sustainability, health, safety, equity and quality of life.

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.