This position will be hybrid requiring a few days per week in office. You will be based in the WRI Africa office in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. 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:    

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an international organization that works with governments, the private sector, and civil society to research, design, and implement practical solutions that simultaneously improve people's lives and ensure nature's flourishing. WRI has been working in the Republic of Congo for 20 years and relies on a team of experts primarily in land use planning, land and forest governance, and geospatial data management to mobilize stakeholders and support innovation. The Congo Office works in an integrated manner at the crossroads of WRI Africa's Vital Landscapes; Thriving, Resilient Cities; and Institutional and Economic Transformation pillars.    

Job Highlight:    

As the Finance and Operations Specialist, you will work with Global and Regional Operations support teams in Washington, D.C., Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Kinshasa to enable the proper functioning of all basic functions of the WRI office in the Republic of Congo (Congo). You will provide financial and budgetary support, including maintaining the petty cash of the office, executing payments, preparing bank reconciliation, and liaising with individual project managers to develop, manage and monitor grants and contracts. You will support with program administrative tasks and events coordination. You will work with the Republic of Congo office team and closely with the Central Africa regional office operations team based in the DRC to ensure the smooth execution of the financial, administrative, and other operations of WRI’s work in the Republic of Congo.    

You will report to the Senior Regional Finance and Operations Manager and to the Country Manager of the Republic of Congo.    

What you will do:    

 Grant and Sub agreement Management (30%):    

• Process and execute new subgrants, contracts, and amendments
• Monitor program/project performance against grant and contract requirements and deliverables and ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of grants and contracts
• Ensure financial contract requirements are fully understood and met by all partners/subgrantees
• Process invoices and payments for projects in compliance with WRI’s policies
• Monitor partners to ensure the timely and accurate submission of progress and financial reports
• Work directly with funders to request and submit Prime award amendments, payment request, and other funder related needs

Accounting Management (25%):    

• Maintain the petty cash of the office by ensuring the proper recording of transactions carried out and their reconciliation in the cash book
• Codify, check, and control the requisitions of payments ("request payments") transmitted by the project team
• Check the conformity of the supporting documents of the activities carried out and record them in accordance with the WRI procedures
• Monitor and analyze all balance sheet accounts monthly
• Implement bank payments by check, OP (payment order) and online while respecting WRI policies
• Produce monthly reconciliations of bank and cash transactions of the WRI Republic of Congo office
• Ensure the archiving of accounting documents both hard and digital and publish them for the attention of the WRI Africa Regional Office

Financial Management (25%):    

• Coordinate with and advise project leads on budget management, including use of budgeting software, monthly financial tracking, and supporting project managers in expense forecasting and revenue analysis
• Develop project budgets, notes and narratives for funding proposals on a need-by-need basis following different donor requirements while adhering to WRI cost and pricing rules and regulations
• Perform periodic financial analysis on all projects to detect and resolve problems
• Regularly review, update, and monitor all transactions, invoices, commitments, and revenue prospects
• Follows WRI’s internal processes and deadlines related to funding, including quarterly reviews, financial reporting, monthly & annual closeouts, and future fiscal year annual budget submission
• Prepare and analyze project financial reports and ensure they are submitted to donors on time
• Prepare quarterly cash flow and planning for all the Republic of Congo projects to ensure all activities are funded based on the approved workplan
• Prepare a timely call for funds for all the WRI Republic of Congo projects

Program Administration and Operations (20%):    

• Monitor compliance with and advise teams on institutional policies, such as WRI’s travel and expense policy and procurement manual
• Support miscellaneous project operation’s needs, including personnel processes, labor forecasting, guidance processes, and IT
• Advise team on budget management and address any financial issues in coordination with the Senior Regional Finance & Operation Manager
• Track program funding opportunities and record information in on-line tracking systems
• Support the team on Program administrative tasks, events coordination and other appropriate duties as assigned.

What you will need:    

• Education: You have completed a Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration, non-profit management, or similar
• Experience: You have 6+ years’ of relevant work experience in accounting, operations, grant administration, budgeting, or financial management
• Experience in expense forecasting, grant compliance, and monitoring subgrants and contracts
• Experience interacting with multiple stakeholders and cross-collaboration with teams
• Experience with financial software such as Costpoint, TM1 and Cognos and CRM software such as Salesforce considered a plus
• Languages: You have verbal and written proficiency in English and French
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required at the time of application. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.

Potential Salary:     

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.     

How to Apply:     

Please submit a resume with cover letter by 18 April 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 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, and 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.