Water and Landscape Restoration Associate at World Resources Institute (WRI)

Research (35%):

• Design and lead targeted research to build the evidence base for the protection and restoration of landscapes the water cycle and hydrological functions in GRV and LKR, e.g., identifying land and water management approaches have the greatest water-related benefits
• Lead processes to define measurable water-related results and impact pathways for restoration interventions in GRV and LKR
• Help establish the baseline for water quantity, water quality, and related water risks. This will include analytics to evaluate water supply (e.g., surface water, groundwater, soil moisture), water demand (e.g., irrigation, industry, municipality, livestock, environment), potential impact of climate change on water risks (e.g., water scarcity, floods, drought)
• Lead geospatial analysis through GIS and Remote Sensing to understand impacts of deforestation/land degradation and, conversely, restoration on water quantity and quality
• Contract and oversee external experts as necessary, ensuring high-quality deliverables, such as data collection, GIS analysis, GRACE groundwater analysis, SWAT modelling, or atmospheric moisture tracking
• Be an internal and external thought leader on water cycle restoration, linking the work to broader Food, Land and Water initiatives

Monitoring (35%):

• Provide expertise on technical solutions and tools, including remote sensing to measure and monitor water outcomes and water-related ecosystem services benefits (such as groundwater recharge, sediment control, and flood reduction), helping integrate these into WRI’s Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification system for landscape restoration
• Work with the Restoration and Water and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning teams to create a monitoring plan—with select indicators on water quantity and quality—for monitoring water-related outcomes of restoration interventions in the Restore Local portfolio, including customization to GRV and LKR
• Implement this monitoring protocol in collaboration with external vendors as necessary, rolling it out as a pilot across GRV and LKR or in select projects

Program Management, Fundraising, and Communication (30%):

• Support identifying investable restoration projects with water outcomes in GRV and LKR, and support in reaching out to potential investors
• Work with the WRI restoration initiatives and external experts, support the design and implementation of a capacity building program to develop the knowledge and skills of local entrepreneurs and community organizations to better assess the water benefits of restoration and become expert water and land restoration practitioners
• Focus on the WRI Africa’s priority landscapes. Support cross-team efforts with concept note and proposal development to help secure funding within GRV, LKR and beyond where relevant
• Contribute to thought pieces and knowledge products to expand understanding and visibility of the work.

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a master’s degree in hydrology, geography, forestry, social and/or environmental science, natural resource management
• Experience: You have 7+ years of relevant, full-time work experience
• Experience in a donor-funded development context leading program implementation, preferably in the Great Rift Valley and Lake Kivu and Rusizi Basin
• GIS and remote sensing expertise at the intersection of hydrology, climate, and land
• Experience of working with international organizations, national governments and relevant experience working in Africa (experience within the GRV and LKR is preferred)
• Experience in the forest, water resources or natural resource sector in Africa
• Experience nurturing partnerships with diverse stakeholders, such as local communities, NGOs, government institutions, donor representatives, and local and international staff
• Demonstrable knowledge of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Kivu and Rusizi Basin landscapes of actors and political instruments
• Demonstrable writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience designing investable water and restoration-related projects is preferred
• Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English. French skills are desirable
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based.