The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities is dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for everyone. Through its network of global and local experts, the Ross Center supports city- and national-level change for people and the planet, focusing on integrated solutions to new and long-standing urban challenges, primarily in the Global South. Cities are key in achieving a net-zero, resilient and inclusive future. They represent 80% of global GDP and contribute with almost 70% of global emissions and 75% of energy related emissions. Today, they are home for 50% of the global population and by 2050 this number will increase to 2/3. More than 2.5 billion urban dwellers will move to cities by 2050, 90% of them in Africa and Asia.
In this role, you will provide grants and finance management, and project management support. You will work on complex, multi-year, multi-faceted international grants - developing and updating budgets, tracking, and monitoring expenditures, preparing financial reports, and working with project managers, partner organizations, and international offices to maintain a healthy financial system. You will be supported by a team of project managers and finance specialists within the WRI Ross Center. You will work closely with our central finance teams, including the cost and pricing team, grants and contracts team, and accounting team.
You will report to the Director of Urban Efficiency & Climate within the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and to the Operations & Finance Manager, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.
What will you do:
Financial Management:
Update project budgets using WRI’s budgeting and forecasting software (TM1), MS Excel and Asana
Process invoices and payments for projects in compliance with WRI’s policies (subgrants, consultancies, work orders, etc.)
Assist project team in project closeout processes including turnover documentation and financial reconciliation
Review on a monthly basis the transactions and finances of the projects and update the budget and 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 workstream directors of both teams
Work with Salesforce to add new proposals
Program/Project Management :
Process documentation for project commitments (i.e. agreements, contracts, work authorizations, and purchase orders)
Work with partners to help them understand and meet subgrant and contract requirements
Provide timesheet guidance to workstream team members on a bi-weekly basis
Grant Management :
Lead the drafting of grant proposal budgets and assists in the collection & submission of formal proposals for grants
Coordinate with project managers to prepare all required grant forms for submission as instructed by grant
Keep track of deliverables and reporting required under grants
Coordinate with project managers to keep timely and accurate information on donors and contacts in Salesforce.
What will you need:
Experience:
1+ year of relevant, full-time work experience, including supporting financial or project management functions
Education:
You have a completed bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, accounting, public policy, political science, international affairs, or similar subject
You have experience in programme management, financial management, or budgeting
You have advanced MS Excel skills and experience with budgeting software or project management software
You have experience with internal communications and communications with third party vendors
Languages:
You have written and spoken proficiency in English.
