Project Specialist, GHG Protocol

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You will be based in our office in Washington, DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

This position is limited term ending September 30, 2027.

About the Program

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is the world’s leading authority and international standard setter on corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting. Building on a 20-year partnership between World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), GHG Protocol works with governments, industry associations, NGOs, businesses and other organizations. In 2016, 92% of Fortune 500 companies responding to the CDP used GHG Protocol to account for their emissions. The GHG Protocol also provides standards, tools and online training to help countries and cities track progress towards their climate goals.

Job Summary

As the Project Specialist with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP), you will be responsible for supporting the financial and administrative operations of multiple related projects and sub-teams within GHGP, under the oversight and direction of the GHGP Operations Manager. Your specific duties will include: financial management and analysis, developing and updating budgets, tracking expenditures, preparing grant proposals and financial reports, drafting and monitoring contracts and subawards, processing payments and expense reports, supporting project publications and communications activities, planning and event logistics, and other tasks as assigned. You will report to the GHGP Operations Manager.

What you will do

Project Management (40% time)

• Support GHGP Operations Manager and Senior Project Managers in providing close liaison with WRI staff across programs and departments, including operations, development, accounting, finance and grants & contracts, as well as coordinating with external partners
• Monitor project performance against funder commitments, established project plans, deliverables and contract requirements
• Prepare and process subgrant and contract agreements, amendments, MOUs and NDAs; advise project managers in working with partners and contractors to ensure agreements are completed on time and adhere to WRI policy, or negotiate where needed on amenable solutions
• Process contracts, procurement documents, work orders, and other formal documentation for project commitments
• Manage formal subgrantee partnerships, including achievement of deliverables, oversight of standard reports, compliance with donor requirements, and collection of donor- and WRI-requested audits
• Support teams with Asana and other project management tasks
• Coordinate recruitment and manage onboarding of new staff members and interns as needed
• Plan, support, and execute GHGP workshops and events in DC and remote locations, including online webinars/ for a. Includes support of participant travel, venue & catering, event materials, etc.
• Track and manage relations with Donor Council members, organizing NDAs/contracts and setting up in Workday/Adaptive.

Financial Management (30% time)

• Maintain budgets for multiple projects, including monthly updates of forecast expenses and revenues, team labor coverage, contract costs, subgrant payment cycles, and all other project activities.
• Solicit, review, and process invoices and payments to vendors and subgrantees in compliance with established WRI policy (subgrant request for funds, consultancies, work orders, etc.)
• Review and monitor monthly transactions for financial accuracy, donor reporting and compliance, and revenue prospects for all team projects. This includes supporting staff timesheet guidance & revisions, as needed.
• Ensure the GHG Protocol complies with WRI’s financial management requirements and internal processes and deadlines related to funding, including quarterly reviews, monthly & annual closeouts, and future fiscal year annual budget submission.
• Manage project closeout for projects under your direct management, as well as oversee close out planning & execution by other staff support projects that fall under the GHG Protocol portfolio
• On a monthly basis, track incoming Earned Revenue from the E-learning platform.

Grants Management 30% time)

• Support donor and grants management by keeping internal databases and records (Salesforce, Revenue Snapshot, Grant folder) updated and ensuring internal knowledge share on overlapping donors, related proposals, and other opportunities to collaborate
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of complex grants and contracts from corporate donors, NGOs and other funders
• Support the generation of donor interim and final financial reports, in compliance with CEF and WRI reviews, up to full-audit standards. May support with collection of narrative report inputs from GHGP staff and partners as needed, thru packet submission to donor & updating of WRI records.

What you will need

• Bachelor's degree required or sufficient work experience to demonstrate equivalent professional competency
• Minimal of 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience, preferably in financial management, grants or contract management, or nonprofit operations
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, including proactively identifying problems and working with team members to develop solutions
• Strong computer skills including high level of comfort with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), web-based communications (Teams, Zoom), with CRM database (Salesforce), project management (Asana) and budgeting (Cognos) preferred
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work well in and with a diverse and dispersed team
• Strong commitment to WRI’s mission and the values of integrity, innovation and respect that underpin all aspects of our operations
• US work authorization is required for this position

Potential Salary: US: 69,000– 82,000 USD per year. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 22 November 2026. Internal applicants should submit their application through the Jobs Hub portal in Workday. External applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

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
• Pension plan

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: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care. These values shape how we work with one another as well as what we work toward, and they call on all of us to help create an environment where people are welcomed, respected, and able to contribute as their full selves.

Our culture: At WRI, we believe that a more inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace helps all of us do better work and better serve our mission. We are committed to advancing gender and social equity and to fostering an environment where people of all identities and backgrounds feel they belong, are valued, and are treated with dignity and respect. Creating this kind of culture is a shared responsibility across WRI. 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 People team carefully reviews all applications.