Communications and Engagement Lead, Global Energy

This position can be based in the WRI US office (DC) or can be fully remote where WRI is state registered with preference to EST time zone, or one of the WRI Europe offices (UK, The Netherlands). Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission for the position. WRI is unable to sponsor work authorization for this role.

About the Program:

WRI’s Energy Program collaborates with policymakers, cities, companies, utilities, regulators and development institutions to secure a clean energy future for everyone. We facilitate partnerships to help cities and corporations purchase renewable power at scale to unlock economic opportunities. Our tools and analysis track communities most in need of electricity and identify places where clean energy is the most affordable and reliable solution. We also provide expertise on electric vehicle deployment and help city leaders around the world improve the efficiency of their buildings, a major source of emissions.

Job Highlight:

You will design and implement communications strategies that: (1) strengthen the Energy Program’s global reputations as leading sources of data and analysis about the state of the world’s energy transition; (2) deliver WRI’s research insights harnessing these data to international donors, partners, and policy audiences working at the intersection of climate, development, and equity agendas; and (3) engage and expand the growing community of donors, organizations and individuals who are direct users of the energy program’s research and analysis. You will lead a growing team of communications specialists, partner with energy team leadership distributed across WRI’s global office network, and coordinate with other WRI program communications to ensure consistent, effective institutional messaging.

You will report to the Global Director, Energy Program.

What you will do:

Strategic Leadership (40%)

• Develop an engagement strategy to connect our research and analysis to important partners and donors in regions where we work.

• Lead comprehensive stakeholder and partner mapping to inform these engagement strategies.

• Cultivate relationships with key decision makers, so that they use WRI’s research and analysis to inform their decisions.

• Evaluate existing partnerships for effectiveness and identify new partnerships to help WRI expand our reach and influence.

• Provide support to teams to make course corrections in partnership strategies and maximize the impact of our partnerships.

• Track and evaluate metrics of success and adapt strategies to grow and improve outreach results over time.

Communications & Media Engagement (30%)

• Build and nurture long-term relationships with the media, donors, and key stakeholders by developing a healthy external and internal network of media and related communication professionals.
• Coordinate with research staff to communicate around the release of new research products and related analysis and ensure these products reach key audiences.
• Ensure quality and consistency of written outputs, including blog posts, op-eds, e-blasts, speeches, and other compelling communications that translates technical data and analysis for different audiences.

Global Team Management (20%)

• Manage a team of up to four Energy Program Communications staff.
• Coordinate on communications efforts with the Core Communications team and provide internal communications support.
• Oversee multiple communications projects involving multi-unit teams, setting the broad direction, and incentivizing and guiding staff to deliver.
• Help elevate the profile of the Energy Program’s Global Director and other staff, and provide communications support and advice to the Director, including the development of the Global Energy Program strategy.

Proposal Development (10%)

• Coordinate communications support with WRI’s Development Team to strengthen our relationships with donors.
• Contribute to proposal development, working with WRI’s Development Team and energy team leaders to coordinate across multiple actors to create tailored proposals for public, private, and philanthropic funding.
• Support high quality grant reporting to key donors to communicate impacts, lessons learned, and best practices.

What you will need:

• Education: You have a completed a Master’s degree in relevant field, (Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, etc).

• Experience: You have 10+ years of full-time relevant professional experience in communications or engagement roles, with prior work focus on climate change or natural resource management.

• Experience working at the international level with or within a large environmental NGO, data solutions provider, communications consultancy or agency, or similar organization(s).

• Experience and success designing and building partnerships for impact.

• Project management skills including prior experience developing and leading strategy, managing budgets, and leading teams.

• Experience building relationships with donors and developing effective stewardship plans.

• Experience working with environmental NGOs, local and federal governments, private sector stakeholders, foundations, and others.

• Experience navigating analytics tools, including Facebook Business Manager, Insights, Ads Managers, Google Analytics, etc.

• Languages: You have written and verbal proficiency in English.

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

Potential Salary:  Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive renumeration and benefits package.

How to Apply:   Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of November 16, 2022. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US.

• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.

• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work.

• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI.

• Long-term commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours.

• Generous leave days that increase with tenure.

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.