Special Assistant to China Country Director - World Resource Institute - Beijing, China

Location: CN-Beijing

Type: Regular Full-Time

Program: China Program

Overview:

The World Resources Institute (WRI) seeks an organized, process-oriented, and responsible Special Assistant who will perform a wide range of research coordination and administrative tasks to support the China Country Director.  The Special Assistant reports directly to the China Country Director, while working with other staff based in WRI China office and its headquarters in DC.

Responsibilities:

Administration Provide general administrative and clerical support to the China Country Director; Schedule and manage the China Country Director’s calendar; Receive all incoming correspondence (internal & external) and phone inquiries to the China Country Director and determines ultimate disposition, presenting and summarizing contents to the China Country Director when necessary; handling Specially or referring to WRI staff and tracking response; Manage incoming mail and telephone calls for the China Country Director; answer mail when appropriate; field or delegate telephone call follow-up as appropriate; Serve as principal liaison for the China Country Director with all internal WRI staff based in China and DC Office, especially project managers and program directors; Enter and track contacts for the China Country Director; Receive and review correspondence for the China Country Director’s signature; Receive and review all speaking invitations to the China Country Director, gathering appropriate background information and negotiating honoraria in order for the China Country Director to determine response; Background research and writing at the request of the China Country Director; Obtain background information from various sources and ensure that the China Country Director has this preparatory material for meetings and speeches; Maintain administration, communications, and program files for the China Country Director; Take lead in scheduling on-going meetings with Management Team and Program Directors in DC; Take meeting minutes when required; Plan international and domestic travel and prepare expense reports as needed; Assist with event planning, set-up, and break-down; Support China Office administrative work per request of the China Office Manager; Other assistance as needed. Assist the China Country Director in the oversight responsibilities of project plans, funding obligations and deliverables, as well as program budgets; Attend Management Team meetings, take notes, and record action and decision items; Monitor timelines and deliverables promised to and by the China Country Director; Serve as right hand person to the China Country Director in function of monitoring the China Office wide Budgets, Objectives, Milestones, and Outcomes.  This includes but is not limited to: Monitoring progress of program and project activities; Planning and scheduling office-wide retreats to discuss WRI China Goals and Objectives; Administering the program and strategic planning process as laid out by the Institutional Capacity Plan; Co-produce annual program planning report and China Country Strategy for the WRI Managing Director.  Programmatic Planning and Oversight Assist the China Country Director in the oversight responsibilities of project plans, funding obligations and deliverables, as well as program budgets; Attend Management Team meetings, take notes, and record action and decision items; Monitor timelines and deliverables promised to and by the China Country Director; Serve as right hand person to the China Country Director in function of monitoring the China Office wide Budgets, Objectives, Milestones, and Outcomes.  This includes but is not limited to: Monitoring progress of program and project activities; Planning and scheduling office-wide retreats to discuss WRI China Goals and Objectives; Administering the program and strategic planning process as laid out by the Institutional Capacity Plan; Co-produce annual program planning report and China Country Strategy for the WRI Managing Director.

Qualifications:

Superior organizational skills and attention to detail; Excellent English and Chinese writing and speaking skills; Excellent communication and people skills to interact with all levels of staff, guests, Chinese government officials and WRI visitors; Demonstrated assertiveness and persistence with regards to working with higher level staff in extracting reports and information needed; Ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information; Motivated individual who can juggle multiple tasks and projects, with most being of high priority; Excellent computer skills with experience in a Windows environment; Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint; Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of related professional experience; Interest in sustainable development work and an interest to learn about all WRI projects across the Institute; Flexible individual who can work independently, with little direction and supervision; Willing to travel nationally and internationally. Interest and experience in WRI priority environment issues may add values Location: Position based in Beijing, China Report to: China Country Director Compensation: Competitive compensation will be offered commensurate with qualifications.  To Apply: Qualified applicants should email a cover letter and curriculum vitae or resume to http://www.wri.org/jobs.  Application Deadline:  February 28th, 2013 The World Resources Institute is 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, gender, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, parental status, or disability.