The World Resources Institute seeks a highly motivated, analytical and organized Special Assistant who will assume a wide range of administrative, coordination, program oversight and research responsibilities.  He/she will report directly to the Managing Director and work closely with WRI’s Vice-Presidents, Program Directors and project staff.

This is a challenging position that offers a unique opportunity to understand how a leading environmental nonprofit organization is managed and to play a crucial role in helping improve the impact and effectiveness of WRI.  The position requires someone able to manage multiple, complex tasks; engage proactively and persuasively with staff of all levels; and undertake time-sensitive projects often with minimal supervision.  Superb analytical skills, attention to detail, an outgoing, can-do disposition and willingness to go the ‘extra mile’ are important attributes for a successful candidate. 

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people’s lives. Our 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. Because people are inspired by ideas, empowered by knowledge, and moved to change by greater understanding, WRI provides-and helps other institutions provide-objective information and practical proposals for policy and institutional change that will foster environmentally sound, socially equitable development.

Responsibilities

Administration and Coordination

The Special Assistant will spend 50% of their time in administration and coordination matters.

• Provide general administrative and clerical support to the Managing Director.
• Serves as principal liaison for Managing Director with all internal WRI staff.
• Schedule and manage the Managing Director’s calendar.
• Manage incoming mail and answer mail when appropriate.
• Organize key institutional meetings (weekly Executive Team Meetings; monthly Management Team meetings and monthly all-staff meetings). Help set and manage agenda, take minutes, and follow-up on items as needed from each of the meetings.
• Organize other all-staff meetings as needed (e.g. project presentations, innovation seminars).
• Organize travel for Managing Director and prepare expense reports as needed.
• Monitor timelines and deliverables promised to and by the Managing Director.

Program Planning and Oversight

The Special Assistant will spend 50% of their time on program planning and oversight. 

• Serve as right-hand person to the Managing Director in executing WRI’s 5-year Strategic Plan and ensuring high-quality design and implementation of objective strategies, annual project plans and budgets. This includes but is not limited to:
• Monitoring progress of program and project activities
• Planning and scheduling office-wide retreats to discuss WRI Goals and Objectives
• Helping implement key elements of WRI’s Strategic Plan with a particular focus on developing an in-country office in China, India and Brazil over the next 5 years
• Undertake research and other special projects on as needed basis (e.g. support Managing Director in drafting articles and making presentations).
• Help prepare and publish annual WRI Board Book (contains our annual work program)
• Work with Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director in managing the programs’ annual budgeting and quarterly review processes.
• Coordinate results management and project planning for the Institute through POINTS, WRI’s project reporting software. This includes but is not limited to:
1. Conduct orientations to new program staff for POINTS
2. Work with external developer to ensure proper working of POINTS.
3. Maintain the information within POINTS; generate reports when necessary; conduct regular “clean up” of information within database.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree desirable) with a minimum of 3-5 years relevant work experience. Stellar academic track record.
• Strong interest and commitment to sustainable development and willingness to learn about the broad range of WRI projects across the Institute.
• Highly motivated individual who can juggle multiple tasks and projects, with most being of high priority. Willingness to go the ‘extra mile’ to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and people skills to interact with all levels of staff and guests.
• Demonstrated assertiveness and persistence with respect to engaging with senior staff.
• Flexible individual who can work independently, with little direction and supervision.

Excellent computer skills with experience in a Windows environment; Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint