Vacancies at World Resources Institute (WRI)

What will you do:

Research and analysis (60%):

• Spearhead the Lab’s efforts to validate, as well as revise where appropriate, targets, indicators, and datasets used to track progress across energy systems, spanning both energy supply, and end-use sectors like the built environment, industry and transport
• Conduct an assessment of global progress made towards energy supply, built environment, industry and transport targets for 2030, 2035 and 2050 in close partnership with the Lab’s research partners
• Lead global, national, and subnational research and analysis focused on identifying critical barriers to and drivers for accelerating transformational change across these sectors, as well as the most important enabling conditions need to overcome these obstacles
• Contribute in a writing role, as both a lead author and contributing author, to a wide range of knowledge products, such as the State of Climate Action reports, Systems Change Lab’s data platform, technical notes, sector-specific reports, articles and other outreach materials
• Develop new research questions aligned with the Lab’s strategy and manage the research teams needed to answer them

Partner Outreach & Project management (30%):

• Manage peer review processes with internal sectoral teams across WRI, as well as external partners, on a regular basis to advance on research and progress tracking for required transformations
• As the platform initiative expands into learning and sharing the ingredients for transformational change, and nudging and campaigning to accelerate action where it is most needed, act as relationship manager internally, as well as with partners and key relevant stakeholders for Systems Change Lab engagement efforts across energy supply, industry, transport, and the built environment. These efforts will be supported by our engagement team
• Support and, in some instances, lead fundraising activities for Systems Change Lab by cultivating funder relationships, developing concept notes and proposals, and reporting on them

Communications (10%):

• Represent WRI and the Systems Change Lab at conferences, workshops and other events
• Produce high-impact, high-quality articles, commentaries, presentations, and other communications materials for the Systems Change Lab

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor's degree in environmental or energy policy, public policy or related field
• Experience: You have minimum of 7 year of full-time relevant work experience in energy, environmental, climate or related fields; knowledge of climate change issues
• In depth knowledge of energy systems, including energy supply and end-use sectors
• Strong analytical, research and quantitative skills, preferably with advanced Excel and modeling skills, and proven ability to deliver high-quality work
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation, and communication skills
• Great attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines
• Project planning and management skills
• Self-starter with ability to juggle multiple assignments at one time, make independent decisions with problem-solving skills in some complex situations
• Experience working collaboratively in teams, with positive demeanor and determined attitude
• Languages: Proficiency in spoken and written English along with a local language
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

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What will you do:

Program Management (50%):

• Lead the RAMP program, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight in line with WRI and donor requirements and aligned to WRI and CEF strategies
• Oversee the design and delivery of all RAMP activities, including curriculum development, capacity-building efforts, research, tools, events, and community-building
• Manage outcomes and partnerships associated with project deliverables, including setting and clarifying priorities for global and country team members and external partners
• Manage a team of researchers and project support staff, as well as overseeing work of external consultants, subgrantee organizations, and other technical partners supporting RAMP work
• Support the WRI monitoring and evaluation framework for RAMP to help ensure maximum impact and efficiency
• Monitor and manage project budgets and deliverables according to planned milestones, expenses and revenue, and internal and donor reporting
• Collaborate internally across WRI, especially with colleagues in the CEF program and with WRI’s Communications and Development teams

Engagement and Communications (20%): -

• Oversee current and expanded relationships, including government partners in Africa and SIDS; university partners world-wide; and international technical partners
• Contribute to external communications that highlight RAMP’s delivery model and achievements, including through technical blogs and RAMP’s bi-monthly newsletter
• Contribute to WRI Insights articles, webinars, podcasts, etc. that explore new areas or distill key findings from technical papers related to adaptation finance and economics
• Prepare presentations related to the above responsibilities, and present our work to counterparts in governments, private sector, universities, donor organizations, and foundations.

Development & Fundraising (15%): -

• Serve as fundraising lead for RAMP, including responsibility to manage fundraising strategy, pipeline, and intelligence sharing to ensure critical work is adequately resourced and fundraising efforts are coordinated and cross-cutting where possible
• Cultivate opportunities to fundraise for new work that drive adaptation, resilience, and finance goals, inclusive of in-country and cross-program inputs and teams
• Lead proposals to funding organizations in the 6- and 7-figure range; working closely with fundraising teams to engage donors, write compelling grants, and secure funding for collaborative projects

Research and Knowledge (15%):-

• Contribute to research and knowledge management aimed at improving the understanding of adaptation finance, tools for addressing climate risks, and capacity development in developing countries
• Provide expert review, inputs, and sign off on publications relevant to adaptation, resilience, and finance as it relates to RAMP and other relevant work by other teams

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a master’s degree (preferably a PhD), or sufficient work experience to demonstrate advanced expertise in areas of climate policy and development issues
• Experience: You have a minimum of 12 years relevant experience and at least 3 years of program management in a similar role
• Strong commitment to WRI’s mission, values, and approach, with demonstrated passion for addressing national climate issues
• Strong understanding of key concepts and actors related to climate adaptation and resilience, economic development, climate economics, climate finance, and institutional issues associated with mainstreaming climate capacities across government ministries
• Experience with capacity-building activities or teaching at the university level
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, and a record of contributing to, reviewing, or participating in high-quality publications
• Understanding of private sector investment financial analysis, and of how risk and uncertainty are addressed in investment decision-making (preferred).
• Proven verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Excel, Power Point, and other Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent writing skills and ability to clearly communicate technical concepts.
• Demonstrated successful management abilities through both managing and supporting direct reports, and sustained work with collaborative partners
• Success in overseeing and fundraising for budgets of at least $1M annually (preferred)
• Available for periodic international travel related to RAMP activities
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English, though additional language skills (especially French) related to priority countries are encouraged
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization