Project Coordinator, National Climate Action

About the Program:

There isn’t a silver bullet, or a single pressure point to solve the climate crisis. It will require an army of actors, a menu of pathways and an array of interventions in the right places. Tailoring approaches to these unique situations is the sweet spot for the Climate Program at World Resources Institute. We help policymakers, businesses, and civil society at the local, national, and international levels advance the deep structural shifts necessary to address climate change. Within the Global Climate Program, the National Climate Action (NCA) initiative works with countries to achieve their climate objectives, build strong and climate resilient economies that navigate a just transition to a more climate-aligned future, and help design long-term climate strategies to get key countries to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Job Highlight:

This position is remote-eligible and only for consideration within the United States, where WRI is state registered. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.  

WRI’s Climate Program requires an individual to help support a diverse team of experts as a Project Coordinator with the National Climate Action initiative. You will support the Long-Term Strategies project focused on shifting climate policies in five major emerging economies that account for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions and strives to improve governments’ readiness to implement actions following the long-term transitions necessary to limit warming and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. In this role, you will support the financial and administrative operations of the Long-Term Strategies and other projects under the National Climate Action initiative. You will provide important support to senior managers and project teams. Specific responsibilities will include drafting and monitoring contracts and procurements, processing payments, facilitating outreach efforts and events, managing team meetings, tracking expenditures, and supporting budgets, financial proposals, and grant reports, and other tasks as assigned. Position available for work in the DC office or remote in select states in the US with manager approval.

What you will do:

Financial Management (35% time)

• Prepare final financial report for project’s main donor and work with relevant departments to finalize report and accompany audit process
• Update and maintain project budgets including shared grants, cost-share, and other project financial arrangements
• Regularly review, update, and monitor all transactions, commitments, and revenue prospects for projects
• Solicit, review and process invoices and other payments in compliance with established WRI policy
• Follow WRI’s internal processes and deadlines related to funding, including quarterly reviews, monthly & annual closeouts, and future fiscal year annual budget submissions
• Collaborate with other NCA-related projects across WRI to coordinate on staffing, fundraising, and financial management

Grant Management (25% time)

• Support financial report for project management and external donors and work with relevant departments to document expenses and prepare for audits
• Draft grant proposal budgets and support the collection and submission of formal proposals for team fundraising
• Support donor and grants management by supporting upkeep of company database and other knowledge management systems
• Monitor and advise team on maintaining compliance with terms and conditions of complex grant and contract agreements

Project Management (25% time)

• Support project managers in coordinating with external partners, and provide close liaison with WRI staff across programs and departments, and operations teams at WRI international offices
• Process contracts, procurement documents, work orders, and other formal documentation for project commitments
• Prepare and maintain sub-agreements and contracts in collaboration with project team ensuring agreements are completed on time, including the accurate submission of progress and financial reports
• Support partner management by reviewing and drafting language for contracts, reviewing interim and final reports, and ensuring all supporting documentation is accurate and provided; remind them of deadlines, and keep records of all their documents (reports, invoices, receipts, etc.)
• Maintain project status tracker to gather relevant information and activity inputs to support required narrative reports

Administration & Events Management (15% time) 

• Coordinate team meetings and help coordinate team’s planning processes, including responsibilities for meeting notes, action items, etc.
• Coordinate recruitment and manage onboarding of new team members members and interns
• Keep electronic filing system for project documents including contracts, reports and relevant backup documentation, such as invoices and timesheets
• Coordinate conference, webinars and event logistics for domestic and international meetings and workshops, including venue, catering, equipment, translators, travel, per diem and visa support for WRI staff and event participants

What you will need:

Education: Bachelor's degree required or sufficient work experience to demonstrate equivalent professional competency; 1+ years of relevant, full-time work experience, preferably including familiarity with financial management, grants or contract management, or nonprofit operations;

Experience: Demonstrated strong computer skills including high level of comfort with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), web-based communications (Teams, Zoom), with CRM database (Salesforce) and budgeting preferred

• Organized thinker with an interest in program operations, grant compliance, and financial management
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, including proactively identifying problems and working with team members to develop solutions
• Strong commitment to WRI’s mission and the values of integrity, innovation and respect that underpin all aspects of our operations

Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.      

How to Apply:   

Please submit a resume with cover letter. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.  

What we offer:

• A competitive salary and generous PTO that increase with tenure.
• 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.
• Opportunity to provide impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
• A workplace that focuses diversity, equity, and inclusion in 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.

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 our Earth’s natural resources and their capacity to provide for current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals: 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.

Human Resources carefully reviews all applications. 

Click here to apply