Executive Assistant, Food, Forests, Water & Ocean Programs
Job Summary
As Executive Assistant, you will enhance the effectiveness of the Food, Forest, Water and Ocean Programs by providing administrative support for the Vice President of Food, Forest, Water and the Ocean, the Global Director of Forests and the Global Director of Water. You will work in close coordination with the Vice President and Directors, anticipating needs, proactively resolving problems and ensuring timely preparation of all travel, event, and meeting materials. You will serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders and requires a high degree of professionalism and discretion. In this role, you will report to the Senior Manager of Operations for Food, Forest, Water and Ocean.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide administrative support to the Vice President and Directors to include: managing calendars, scheduling appointments, making travel arrangements, securing travel visas, answering phones, and drafting correspondence.
- Organize and run VP and Director-led meetings – especially monthly FFWO Program Staff meetings; take minutes and track follow-up as necessary.
- Ensure smooth execution of program-sponsored external events through planning, logistics, outreach and preparation of background material.
- Play lead role in organizing program retreats and activities.
- Ensure efficient and results-driven workflow management for the Vice President’s office.
- Prepare and monitor expense reports and timesheets to ensure timely submission and approval.
- Support ongoing efforts to improve FFWO’s administrative systems and processes.
- Take part in special projects as assigned by VP, Directors or Senior Operations Manager.
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Two years’ experience as a personal assistant, special assistant, executive assistant
- Superior organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to be flexible and work independently or in a team environment
- Able to set priorities and solve a range of problems independently
- Professional demeanor, superior people skills and ability to maintain confidentiality
- Excellent computer skills in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), web-based communications (e.g., Skype, GoToMeeting, etc.), and the Internet
- Demonstrated capacity to work well under pressure and successfully manage multiple deadlines and competing demands
- Commitment to WRI’s mission and values and interest in environment and development issues
- US work authorization is required. WRI is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this opportunity
How to Apply
Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
Program Overview
WRI’s Food, Forest, Water and Ocean Programs focuses on four critical challenges that must be addressed to reduced poverty, grow economies and protect natural systems:
- WRI’s Forest Program works with governments, businesses, and civil society to sustain forests for future generations. We aim to curb deforestation worldwide and help to restore and reforest already-cleared land.
- WRI’s Water Program works with businesses, governments, and civil society to ensure a water-secure future. We seek to address both water quantity and quality challenges.
- WRI’s Food Program develops analyses, partnerships and strategies to secure a sustainable food future.
- WRI’s Ocean Program works to address the threats facing the health and economic vitality of the World’s Oceans. Through in-depth analysis and the creation of new partnerships we seek to craft a path that shows that profitability and sustainability can operate together to benefit the health of people and the Ocean.
WRI Overview
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 in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, the ocean, and sustainable cities.
We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.
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.
We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of nearly 700 people with work spanning 50 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States.
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.
The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.