JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Nairobi. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor visas for this position.

About the program:

The Food Program at WRI Africa aims to transform the food systems in Africa to address food and nutritional insecurity for a rapidly growing population, while achieving institution’s goals for people, nature, and climate. The program prioritizes three key areas: (i) promoting sustainable, nature-positive agriculture practices, including agroecology and regenerative farming to improve soil health and yields for smallholder farmers; (ii) reducing food loss and waste, and (iii) shifting diets toward diverse, nutrient-dense foods to address malnutrition and health issues especially for women and children. The program embraces circularity for food to address the interconnected goals of improving human well-being, protecting nature, and combating climate change.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Manager, Finance and Operations, Food, Land & Water Program, you will work with colleagues in the Food, Land and Water Program team to provide financial and budgetary support for all projects under the Food program. This will include liaising with individual project managers to manage and monitor grants and contracts, support project budgets for new proposals, track expenditures, prepare financial reports and discuss them with the Finance and Operations Manager, process invoices, manage and monitor subawards under the Food Program, participate in project audits, prepare invoices and donor accountability for all financial aspects of the projects. Your other duties will include supporting program operations and with administrative tasks, and events coordination. You will integrate equity into your work.

You will work with the Food Program team, WRI Africa Finance and Operations Manager and global operations and finance teams, including the cost and pricing team, grants and contracts team, and accounting teams.

What you will do:

Project Financial Management (40%):

Manage annual project budgets, in coordination with the Finance and Operations Manager, the Director of Food Program and the WRI Africa finance staff
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
Regularly review, update, and monitor all transactions, commitments, and revenue flows for the Food Program and projects to support healthy financial management
Prepare quarterly projections and reviews to be discussed with the respective project managers and the Finance and Operations Manager, while advising on any risks and providing risk mitigation strategies, or course correction
Update and maintain project budgets utilizing WRI’s budgeting and forecasting software (TM1) and soon to be introduced Workday
Lead all grant finance aspects of the projects for grant close-outs
Prepare all financial reports for donors for all projects under the Food Program,
Create and implement financial best practices for the projects, in line with WRI and donor policies for effective operational efficiency
Manage all Project audit processes for the projects providing detailed feedback to audit queries on financial matters of the grants
Monitor all subgrants including budgets, financial reports and provide relevant advice for effective operational and financial efficiency
Perform periodic financial analysis on all projects to detect and resolve problems

Grants and Contracts Management (30%):

Review draft contracts and provide advice on financial compliance
Monitor 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
Provide training and support as needed to project partners on grant compliance and financial reporting

Administration (30%):

Process documentation for project commitments (i.e., agreements, contracts, payment requests and invoices)
Liaise with the Finance and Operations Manager to advise the team on budget management and all grant and contract related deadlines, raise and address any financial issues in coordination with the Food Program Director and Project managers
Support the team on Program Operations and administrative tasks, Workshops and events coordination.

What you will need:

Education: You have a completed bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, business or a related field. Relevant work experience is accepted in lieu of a degree
Experience: You have 3+ years full-time relevant work experience in financial management, grant administration and project operations preferably in a non-profit setting
Professional qualification: You have attained the highest level of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Kenya or other accredited institutions
Experience organizing and managing detailed and complex budgeting structures, donor reporting and/or grant or financial management
Experience working with international teams or on projects involving international donors or partners
Experience preparing financial proposal and reports for donors
Budgeting experience with Excel and complex spreadsheets, or other budgeting software
Experience handling multiple projects with varying deadlines as well as rapidly changing priorities
Languages: You are proficient in English, additional proficiency in French would be a bonus
Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. 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 a required cover letter by the date of 1 July 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.

We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter in addition to your resume.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

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
Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
Generous leave days that increase with tenure.

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

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 including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements