Global Coordination Manager, Office of the Managing Director for Global Partnerships & Africa

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This position will be based in WRI Kenya office.  WRI is unable to sponsor this role for visa work authorization.**

About the Program:

In this role, you will oversee the development and implementation of an institutional-wide partnerships strategy that is ambitious, aligned, focused, and delivers measurable results in support of WRI’s global people, nature, and climate goals, which we cannot achieve alone.  The office is responsible for coordinating and convening partnerships aligned with ​the​​ ​ global strategy for collective impact The office is responsible for overall coordination of the MDs daily activities.   This would include day to day management of projects, communications, prioritizing scheduling, presentations, publications, and publicity.   Support strategic leadership role in Africa, and ensuring that WRI Africa’s strategy is built on WRI’s DNA and is fit for purpose for the next decade.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Head of Executive Governance and working closely with the Managing Director for Partnerships and WRI Africa, you will work closely to strengthen WRI’s global partnerships strategy and support WRI’s portfolio in Africa. You will be part of a fast-evolving interdependent team in WRI’s Executive Office, who collectively support a large global organization through turbulent and exciting times that requires full attention, flexibility, an openness to change and a positive and embracing approach. You will join a team of other Global Coordination Managers who support other WRI Managing Directors and the effective functioning of the Executive Office. You will be supported by a dedicated Executive Assistant to the MD for Partnerships & Africa. You will help design and run day-to-day decision-making processes and systems on behalf of the MD both and across and within their Directorate through facilitating meetings, ensuring briefings are fit for purpose, allocating and tracking actions and coordinating with peers.  You will manage special projects on an ad hoc basis. The first year of this role will be dedicated to developing, finalizing and socializing WRI’s new global partnership strategy. You will provide analysis and advice to the MD and other leaders in the Executive Office. You will apply a broad awareness of issues related to the entire WRI portfolio to judge effectively when to consult with others.   This is an ideal opportunity for someone who seeks exposure to the inner workings of a large NGO at the highest executive levels. You will have a strong sense of confidentiality as you may be party to strategic and other sensitive discussions. Your views will be sought on key issues by your managing director. You will be diplomatic, precise and reliable as you will be called upon to convey the views of your managing director to others and convey the views of others back to your MD. This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission for the country office designated. WRI is not able to sponsor work authorization for this position. Candidates are encouraged to be office-based 2 to 3 days a week as COVID restrictions allow.

**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​​ ​.

Potential Salary:

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume and a cover letter by 8 March, 2023.  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.

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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, 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 Human Resources team carefully reviews all applications.