Executive Assistant, Ocean Program

This position will be based in WRI office in Washington DC. WRI is unable to sponsor this role for visa work authorization. 

About the Program:

The World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Ocean Program is focused on accelerating progress toward a sustainable ocean economy and achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 - the Ocean Goal. The program supports efforts to address the numerous challenges the ocean faces and encourages conservation of the marine environment alongside the sustainable use of marine resources. Through the Ocean Program, WRI has set out to build a greater understanding among governments, business leaders, financiers and practitioners of the opportunities, solutions, values and contribution of the ocean to the global economy, human health and wellbeing, and to accelerate knowledge-based decision making and solutions that drive inclusive ocean based economic opportunities while sustaining ocean ecosystems and coastal populations. WRI also serves as the Secretariat to three globally influential ocean initiatives, the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) and the Friends of Ocean Action (with the World Economic Forum) and the Ocean Action 2030 Coalition, a voluntary coalition dedicated to supporting countries in their aim of building a sustainable ocean economy through the development and implementation of Sustainable Ocean Plans. Ocean Action 2030 was formed in response to the new ocean action agenda launched by the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) in 2020 in which member countries announced a shared vision for the sustainable development of the ocean in the next decade – where effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity go hand in hand. https://www.wri.org/ocean

Job Highlight:

You will support the Director of Ocean Action 2030 in the delivery and operations of the coalition and its associated work streams, providing administrative and project support. You need to, handle confidential information with discretion, facilitate information exchange with the team and members of the coalition, and maintain a collaborative alliance with all partners and help to organize impactful events and activities to support several goals across a global network. You will support the effective coordination meetings with the network of ‘Sustainable Ocean Plan Focal Points’ as well as with the members of the coalition, setting the agenda and supporting meeting preparations and summaries of meetings’ outcomes. You will help to plan events at key international platforms to raise the profile of the ocean agenda. We seek, detail-oriented, excellent written and verbal communication skills and a highly organized individual to provide administrative and operational support to the Director of Ocean Action 2030. Responsibilities include a variety of administrative and logistical activities such as scheduling, travel arrangements, expense management, financial management, correspondence management, and events coordination. This position is based out of the WRI Washington DC office, on an agreed remote working basis.

What will you do: 

Administrative Support (75%)

• Coordinate the business diary, scheduling and arranging meetings and regularly updating the Managing Director to cover urgent incoming requests
• Manage a fast-flowing email inbox, bringing urgent issues and those requiring action to their attention
• Organize and prepare for business travel, including bookings, pre-travel paperwork and other requirements (e.g., medical testing or vaccinations) and creating detailed itineraries
• Process expense claims
• Oversee the preparation, checking, and editing of correspondence and documents
• Maintain an organized electronic filing system, including recording of official correspondence and maintaining a business contacts database (Salesforce)
• Help with special projects as assigned. This will include data gathering, record keeping, convening partners or staff members, and preparing communications

Events & Engagement (25%)

• Work with your team members to ensure smooth execution of the Director's participation in external events and speaking engagements through planning logistics, outreach and gathering of background material

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a Bachelor's degree
• Experience: 3+ years full-time relevant work experience in an administrative or executive assistant role, including scheduling, travel management and inbox management
• Experience working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• Languages: This role will operate in English. Fluency in any of WRI's other languages is a bonus (Mandarin, Bahasa, Hindi, French, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.)
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based

Potential Salary: 

Salary range is between 57,000 and 68,000 USD. WRI offers a great compensation and benefits package.  

How to Apply:   

Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of May 5, 2023. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.  

What we offer:  

• A great compensation package
• 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.  

Click here to apply