Global Coordination Manager, Office of the Managing Director for Global Partnerships & Africa at World Resources Institute (WRI)

What will you do:

Given the “start-up” nature of the new Executive Office structure, we anticipate that the responsibilities and reporting lines of this role will be dynamic and should be expected to change as we fine tune our approach.  

Advisory and Strategy Execution (40% time): 

• Serve as strategic advisor to the MD. Ensure the MD receives adequate information regarding different issues, for ease of decision making
• Strategically manage information flow and the MD’s time
• Work closely with the Executive assistant to evaluate and prioritize opportunities
• Assess inquiries directed to the MD and determine course of action
• Ensure the MD is prepped at all times
• Review correspondence and drafts responses for the MD as appropriate by fact-checking all communications, editing and proof-reading key documents as required
• Coordinate strategy development and execution; work with teams to define execution frameworks, impact targets and monitoring tools, and ensure alignment between regional strategies and the overall WRI strategy for Partnerships
• Provide analysis, advice and thought leadership to the MD and other leaders in the Executive Office in new areas and develop and maintain a broad knowledge of issues related to the entire WRI portfolio and its strategic ambitions
• Join and in some cases lead relevant meetings, oftentimes with the MD for Partnerships & WRI Africa, to take notes, synthesize actions and agreement, and ensure that actions are taken
• Assist the MD to establish and/or maintain strategic partnerships
• Bring together multiple stakeholders and help drive decisions with external and internal stakeholders
• Represent the MD and the organization in various forums as may be required.

Systems & Processes (45% time): 

• Manage coordination and track priorities of regular key institutional meetings and processes such as: flexible funding allocations; committee meetings; team meetings, etc
• Provide status updates and other relevant information during regular meetings such as committees, global executive team meetings and monthly management team meetings
• Proactively communicate between teams to ensure the right people know the right information at the right time
• Provide clear guidance and coordination to internal WRI teams and external partners to ensure their compliance with WRI’s internal processes and systems as well as workplans.

Special Projects (15% time): 

• Oversee large, often cross-functional and organization wide projects
• This will include the development of workplans and timelines with key milestones as well as developing and tracking budgets
• Manage project close-outs including after-action reviews and lessons learned. Other matters as the need arises.

What will you need:

• Education: You have a completed a Bachelors degree
• Experience: You have a minimum of 7 years full-time relevant work experience in project management, including budgeting, project planning, and monitoring and evaluations, preferably in a non-profit international development setting.
• A Masters degree in lieu of 2 years of work experience is acceptable
• You have worked with senior executives and can demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex topics into actionable and decision ready analysis fit for that audience and then cascade decisions for action
• You will have a track record of organization and time management skills, with experience managing several projects at different stages simultaneously
• You will have experience developing workplans including breaking down complex projects into tasks, processes and timelines
• You will have experience in developing meeting agendas, tracking and developing materials, chairing meetings and organizing events
• You will have experience of working with political, social and/or corporate partnerships, especially with grassroots organizations, in any of WRI’s focus countries and regions: Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the US
• You will have a track record in strategy development and theories of change, including setting clear impact targets, tools for monitoring and supporting learning to inform evidence based research and learning
• You will have past experience in one of the following areas of expertise: strategy development; planning, research and policy, monitoring, evaluation and learning; non-profit operations and finances, including resource allocation
• You will have a very good understanding of technical, policy and equity issues related to sustainable development, with particular focus on Africa
• You will have the ability to understand, analyze and synthesize a high influx of information and to communicate complex issues and ideas in accessible ways
• You will have a demonstrated track record of working both independently and in teams
• Past experience with applying analytical thinking and problem solving skills and experience in the environment, sustainability and/or international development sectors are considered a plus
• Languages: Proficiency in verbal and written English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization ​in Kenya ​is ​required​​ ​.