Director, National Climate Action Initiative at World Resources Institute (WRI)

 What you will do:
 Strategic Leadership: 20%

• Develop and oversee strategy and delivery of the National Climate Action Initiative, including work plans and influence strategies, to achieve large-scale, and impactful outcomes in priority countries.
• In partnership with country offices and teams, define strategic approaches to enhance climate planning and policy with national and subnational governments.
• Work with Programs and Centers to develop more strategic and integrated offers, ensuring coherence, synergies, and collaboration in WRI's country climate work.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, diversity, inclusiveness, and excellence across staff based in or supporting the National Climate Action Initiative.
• Ensure National Climate Action Initiative priorities and commitments are informed by and in alignment with WRI's 5-year strategy and its focus on country transitions and coordinating with senior leadership.

 Program Management: 30%

• Manage the National Climate Action Initiative, including personnel and financial management, administrative oversight, and internal coordination.
• Oversee development of research and publication plans and review final reports and other research outputs. Participate in the Climate Management team, supporting Global Climate Program leadership and individual country Climate teams in management and delivery efforts.

Communications & Engagement: 25%

• Create and maintain engagement and influence strategies that ensures the right experts and champions are poised to engage with lead decision-makers.
• Foster collaborative relationships with government representatives, including senior government officials in relevant ministries and departments.
• Represent WRI on national climate policy developments at conferences, media interviews, press conferences, and other outreach opportunities.
• Write articles and conduct media interviews to communicate findings and recommendations of the National Climate Action Initiative, set public agendas, and influence decision-maker perspectives.
• Develop and give presentations at public speaking events, international fora, one-on-one meetings, and within WRI.

Fundraising: 25%

• Lead the development and implementation of the fundraising strategy for the National Climate Action Initiative.
• Establish and cultivate relationships with existing and prospective donors in government ministries, private sector, and donor foundation sectors.
• Develop new lines of work and secure multi-year grants in 7-figure range to support and deliver National Climate Action Initiative outcomes.
• Identify fundraising opportunities and prepare funding proposals for corporate donors, private foundations, government agencies, bilateral donors, and other funders.

What you need:
Education: 

• You have a Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field, or sufficient work experience to demonstrate advanced expertise in the areas of national climate policy and development issues.

Experience: 

• You have 10+ years relevant experience and at least 3-5 years of program management in a similar role. 
• Experience as a thought-leader in the field with a proven track record of advancing big ideas that have accelerated the pace and change of climate action at the national and sub-national levels.
• Existing network of contacts in government, business, research institutes, NGOs and media related to climate and national policymaking.
• Experience with research-based policy recommendations, and a record of contributing, reviewing, or participating in high-quality publications.
• Experience managing, fundraising, and overseeing budgets of at least $5M annually.

Languages: You have verbal and written proficiency in English, though additional language skills related to priority countries are encouraged.

Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.