Director, National Climate Action Initiative

This position can be based in any of WRI’s offices (US-DC or where state registered, UK, Hague, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa). The applicant will be expected to hold existing work authorization for their preferred location at the time application is submitted.

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About the Program:**

The world needs to cut its emissions in half by 2030 and reach net-zero by mid-century to prevent the worst effects of climate change. To address this urgent & daunting challenge, WRI’s Global Climate Program undertakes research to evaluate the technical, economic and social benefits of climate action, as well as the costs of inaction. We work with national governments, policymakers, businesses, civil society, local governments, and other non-state actors as they pursue their own emissions-reduction and adaptation goals, and we build tools to track global progress and ensure equity & accountability in delivering on those goals. https://www.wri.org/climate

Job Highlight:

You will have in-depth understanding of national and international climate policy and be an established expert in the climate field. You will use your analytical capabilities to advance broader outreach and influence strategies. You will manage multiple opportunities to negotiate and develop complex global strategic partnerships to drive climate action. Using your collaboration skills and experience working in a diverse organization, you will ensure the National Climate Action Initiative prioritizes inputs from in-country partners, including learning from and integrating our strategy across WRI's programs, centers, and platforms. Reporting to the Global Climate Director, you will manage the design and execution of climate strategy in multiple priority countries, and will manage a diverse, international team of staff. You will work with WRI offices in Africa, China, Europe, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States to advance climate action.

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.

**Potential Salary:
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Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
 
How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with cover letter by January 31, 2023. Applicants 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.