Program Specialist At World Resources Institute

This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

About the Program The FOLU Ethiopia platform, formally launched in May 2018, brings together national government partners, non-government research institutions, and international institutions. The platform is supporting the country to achieve agricultural productivity gains, sustainable resource use, restoration, and forest protection in rural landscapes, while at the same time increasing food and nutrition security. The platform is also supporting Ethiopia to bring into being the necessary innovative financing mechanisms required to catalyze public and private investment in the agriculture and forest sector at scale.

Job Highlight: As the Program Specialist, you will work to provide financial, administrative, and operational support for the FOLU Ethiopia team, coordinate closely with program and support staff in FOLU/WRI’s Global office and help manage asnd coordinate multiple projects from international funding organizations. In this position, you will be responsible for financial management, grants & contracts execution, team coordination, and event logistics. Additional duties may include communications support review work plans, support recruitment efforts, and other appropriate duties as assigned.

What you will do: Project Management (30%) • Support project managers in coordinating with external partners and provide close liaison with FOLU program and operational staff in WRI Africa and FOLU/WRI Global offices • Support project managers in the development and tracking of project workplans, 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.

Financial Management (30% time) • Regularly review, update and monitor all transactions, commitments, and revenue prospects for all FOLU Ethiopia projects in collaboration with project managers • Coordinate and advise project managers on budget management, including the 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 • Process invoices and pay applications for projects in compliance with established governance • Manage grant closeout process, including donor reports, compliance, and audits.

Grant Management (15%) • Draft grant proposal budgets and assist in the collection and 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.

Administrative & Coordination Support (15%) • Assist in organizing and coordinating FOLU Ethiopia internal and external meetings • Assist in liaising with external partners and FOLU/WRI Africa colleagues across programs and countries • Create a strategy for scheduling and agenda-setting to help the FOLU Ethiopia identify and prioritize fundraising, speaking and partnership opportunities • Record minutes of FOLU meetings and ensure appropriate follow-up of all internal and external engagements • Arrange international and domestic travel • Use office software to create drafts and summaries, including meeting pre-briefs and de-briefs • Coordinate and schedule team meetings and assist in coordination of team’s planning process.

Conference & Event Support (10%) • Coordinate conference and event logistics for domestic and international meetings and workshops, including venue and catering, equipment or translators, travel, and visa support for 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.

What you will need:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration or a relevant field
• Experience: 3+ years’ relevant, full-time experience in program management, including budgeting, bookkeeping, and reporting
• Language: English communication skills
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based.

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.
• Long-term 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.