This position is hybrid requiring a few days per week in office. You can be based either in Rwanda or Kenya. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. About the Program: In WRI Africa, restoration is anchored within the Food, Land & Water Program (FLW), that aims at revitalizing and protecting landscapes for people and planet. The FLW Program aims to build the resilience of our natural ecosystems to sustainably provide vital ecosystems services such as food, water, carbon sequestration and climate regulation. This position will be based in Rwanda or Kenya. Job Highlight: Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, WRI Africa and the Director of Food, Land & Water WRI Africa (FLW), you will manage a range of business functions, including oversight of program budgets, financial information, and sub-agreement processes for the various projects under WRIโs Africaโs FLW. You will also prepare financial forecasts and assess financial risks for WRI Africa Senior Management to enable better decision-making and programmatic coordination. You will work with the FLW teamโs project managers and WRIโs Accounting, Finance, and Grants & Contracts departments both in Africa and WRIโs Global office. You will be part of a growing team of operational professionals within WRI Africa and be responsible for the operations of the projects within the pillar. What will you do: Financial Management (60%):
- Oversee management of budgets for WRI Africaโs FLW program, starting with an initial focus on the Restore Local program, which is approaching $30 million dollars annually.
- Create and maintain a range of financial forecasts that model various revenue, labor, staffing and expenditure profiles, updating these on a quarterly basis to inform responsible hiring, attrition, funding cliffs and fundraising needs.
- Prepare financial reports for both finance and finance staff, financial forecast, analysis and dashboards.
- Participate in quarterly review meetings with members of the Executive and Grants & Finance teams in Africa and Global Office to present outlook and answer questions on variances.
- Lead quarterly meetings with Vital Landscapes project managers, country project leads and Grants and Finance Specialists to review finances, deliverables, and update forecasts
- Oversee a team of Grants and Finance Specialists (GFSs) within WRI Africa as they work to maintain budgets, manage grants and sub-agreements, providing guidance, leadership and support as needed
- Ensure compliance with WRI Africaโs accounting, grants and contracts policies, and procedures for organizational audit clearance
- Oversee preparation of annual and interim financial reports to funders as needed, including providing guidance to GFSs and resolving issues on more complicated financial reports.
- Work with the Director of FLW to prepare and negotiate budgets with a wide range of funders. Program Operations (40%):
- Provide leadership to the program operations ensuring that there is the right operational framework to support delivery of the impact.
- Directly supervise Vital Landscapes Grants & Finance Specialists, providing guidance on policies and processes
- Work with Vital Landscapes managers to ensure consistency in quality of performance, upskilling and managing capacity, time and budgets
- Lead on compliance issues for the Vital Landscapes team, ensuring staff understand and adhere to the rules of the various funding agreements.
- Manage progress of spending against deliverables and work with project managers to proactively determine when grant amendments and extensions may be needed
- Guide Operation and Grants and Finance staff on grant closeout processes, ensuring adherence to WRIโs policies and procedures
- Prepare proposal budgets as needed and ensure all WRI Africa funding policies and requirements are followed
- Review core business processes of WRI Africaโs operations team (e.g., contract initiation) for efficiency and suggested improvements where needed
- In consultation with HR, provide mentorship and performance management support, guiding junior and mid-level operational staff within Vital Landscapes as they seek to develop their careers What will you need:
- Education: You have completed a bachelorโs degree in business management, finance, public administration or related field.
- Experience: You have minimum of 8 years full-time work experience in financial management and operations, preferably in a non-profit setting.
- Experience in program operations, grant compliance and management, financial planning and management, budgeting, and leadership of complex large grants, sub-grants and contracts
- Experience with complex budgets and budget negotiation with different funders
- Experience preparing finance reports, financial forecast, analysis and dashboards
- Experience managing multiple complex projects with varying deadlines
- Experience communicating complex issues to partners and colleagues
- Experience working independently and providing supervision and mentorship to colleagues
- Experience working in an international organization with multiple offices a major plus
- Advanced budget, financial planning and analysis skills
- Familiarity with database software and management (such as Salesforce, Concur, Cognos, TM1, etc.)
- Advanced excel skills
- Languages: Verbal and written English proficiency required. Fluency in French is a bonus.
- Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization Potential Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive renumeration and benefits package. How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of 24 July 2024. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. 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