Senior Assistant, Forests

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was established in 1961 and is one of the world's leading conservation organizations. Its mission is to help people and nature thrive by protecting wildlife, conserving vital habitats, and advancing sustainable solutions. WWF operates in over 100 countries, partnering with communities, companies, and governments to address critical environmental issues. The organization is grounded in scientific research and driven by collaboration, focusing on conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and tackling climate change. WWF has nearly 1 million members in the United States and more than 5 million globally, reflecting its broad support and commitment to environmental conservation.

Job Overview:
The Senior Assistant, Forests position at WWF is crucial for supporting the Forest Team's efforts to address threats to forests and promote conservation initiatives that benefit biodiversity, climate, and human well-being. The role involves close collaboration with the Senior Executive Program Operations Specialist to enhance the efficiency and functionality of senior leaders within the Forest Team. The Senior Assistant will be responsible for fostering coordination and cohesion among various sub-teams, including the Team Management Unit, Amazon, Infrastructure, and Congo Basin Teams. This position requires a proactive individual who can manage calendars, coordinate travel, and maintain effective communication across teams. The Senior Assistant will also be expected to demonstrate strong administrative and organizational skills, along with a detailed understanding of WWF's policies and programs, to ensure the success of the Forest Team's initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Assistant will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Calendar Management: Organizing and maintaining schedules for members of the Forest Leadership Team and the broader Forest Team, including arranging meetings, team events, and presentations.
• Financial/Agreement Support: Reviewing and processing payments for credit card transactions, invoices, and reimbursements, and ensuring proper coding in the financial system. The Senior Assistant will also initiate and create consultancy, travel, and grant agreements, verifying vendor details and liaising with Program Operations for payment updates.
• SharePoint & Teams Sites Management: Overseeing the Forest Team's intranet and depot sites, updating travel approval forms, maintaining the team directory, and collaborating with initiative leads for content accuracy.
• Travel Coordination: Making travel arrangements for senior leaders, ensuring compliance with visa requirements, and preparing travel itineraries and supporting documents.
• General Administrative Duties: Ordering office supplies, coordinating mailings, producing and distributing documents, greeting visitors, providing basic IT support, and managing various internal and external requests.
• Additional duties as assigned to support the Forest Team's operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Assistant position should possess strong competencies in time management, organization, attention to detail, interpersonal communication, collaboration, adaptability, initiative, reliability, and situational awareness. They should be able to effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and high-quality execution of tasks. The ability to build positive working relationships and communicate professionally is essential, as is the capacity to demonstrate flexibility in a fast-paced environment. Proactive problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate needs are also critical for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma is required, with a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative, clerical, or office professional roles. A bachelor's degree is highly preferred, indicating a higher level of education and understanding of administrative functions.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in administrative roles, demonstrating a strong background in office management, calendar coordination, and financial processing. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required, along with proficiency in Microsoft 365 and video conferencing platforms. Familiarity with software applications such as Workday, SmartSimple, SharePoint, and Microsoft Power Apps is preferred. Experience in financial and accounting processes, event planning, and basic IT support is also advantageous.

Languages:
While no specific language requirements are mentioned, proficiency in English is mandatory given the nature of the role and the organization's operations. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly in regions where WWF operates.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Washington DC and requires applicants to be legally authorized to work in the United States. It is important to note that this role is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship, and relocation assistance is not provided. WWF promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals, regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.