Research Director - World Resources Institute - United States

Part 1: About WRI

WRI is a global research organization that spans more than 50 countries, with offices in the Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, and the United States. Our more than 450 experts and staff work closely with leaders to turn big ideas into action to sustain our natural resources—the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being.

WRI was recently voted the #1 Environmental Think Tank in the world and is consistently recommended by staff as one of the “most desired organizations to work for.” In 2014, WRI was ranked one of the Top Workplaces by the Washington Post.

Part 2: Overview

The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate is a major international initiative to analyze and communicate the economic benefits and costs of acting on climate change. Chaired by former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón, the Commission comprises former heads of government and finance ministers and leaders in the fields of economics and business.

The New Climate Economy (NCE) is the Commission’s flagship project. It provides independent and authoritative evidence on the relationship between actions which can strengthen economic performance and those which reduce the risk of dangerous climate change. The Commission published its inaugural report Better Growth, Better Climate Report in September 2014. It published its second report Seizing the Global Opportunity in July 2015.

The project is undertaken by a global partnership of research institutes and a core team led by Program Director Helen Mountford. The majority of the NCE secretariat is based in London and Washington DC, and works closely with 8 partner institutes in delivering the work. These partner institutes are World Resources Institute (WRI), Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), Ethiopian Development Research Institute (EDRI), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), London School of Economics (LSE), Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), and Tsinghua University.

We are working with a number of other institutions in various aspects of the research program, including the World Bank and regional development banks, the International Monetary Fund, International Energy Agency, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations agencies and a variety of other research institutes around the world.

The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate was commissioned by seven countries – Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Norway, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom – as an independent initiative to report to the international community.

The New Climate Economy project seeks a Research Director to manage ongoing research projects across the NCE partner institutes and to help conceptualize, design and deliver the 2016-2017 research program. This person will be responsible for ensuring that NCE’s research products meet rigorous research standards and are delivered on time and to budget. The successful applicant will join a world-class team of economists and policy and business experts.

The Research Director will serve as a member of the program’s Executive Management Team, managing a small team of researchers based in London and Washington, DC, and overseeing NCE-related work by colleagues in the partner institutes. He or she will be responsible for overseeing NCE’s peer review process covering research in a number of areas including Land Use, Energy, Finance, and Cities. He or she will be expected to present NCE findings at a variety of external meetings including conferences, summits, and donor pitch meetings. The Research Director will also have some program management responsibilities linked to fundraising, grant and contract management.

Responsibilities

Part 3: Responsibilities

The Research Director will report to the Program Director of the NCE. Main areas of responsibility will include the following:

Research:

• Demonstrates intellectual leadership in identifying key opportunities for NCE research, and developing and implementing work programmes.


• Identifies the data and methods needed to produce robust, unbiased research to support the NCE programme.


• Manages and strategically deploys the expertise of NCE researchers and engages partner organizations to deliver a comprehensive research program and provide research-related support for NCE engagement activities.


• Supervises multiple junior researchers in coordination with the wider Executive Management Team


• Oversees the NCE peer review process, including coordinating feedback from Global Commissioners, relevant experts, and partner and associated organizations.


• Coordinates with NCE’s Strategic Engagement team to deliver relevant briefings for major international events or country visits.


• Presents NCE’s research at national and international events and through bilateral meetings with relevant decision-makers

Program Management:

• Serves on the program’s Executive Management Team, providing strategic advice to the Program Director on overall program delivery and research needs.


• Contribute to NCE’s strategy development, partnership development, and fundraising proposals (presentations, narratives, budgets).


• Oversees the work of Financial and administrative staff in either London or Washington, DC.


• Contributes to fund-raising efforts and development of maintenance of relationships with foundations, governments, and individual donors.


• Provides oversight of the research spending and budgets

Part 4: Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A post-graduate qualification in economics, environmental economics, public policy or another relevant discipline (in-depth knowledge of energy and climate finance/investment issues is strongly preferred);


• At least 15 years’ experience demonstrating extensive, world-class and deep knowledge of relevant issues and organizations;


• Strong quantitative, analytical research skills.


• Substantial program management experience, including in senior management roles and a demonstrated ability to coordinate across teams and research partners in multiple countries;


• Experience of working with government and philanthropic donors;


• Exceptionally good communication and interpersonal skills, and comfortable working with high-level decision-makers


• Detail-oriented and organized thinker who can juggle multiple, competing priorities


• Ability to travel when needed.


• Eligible to work in the UK or USA.

Final candidates will be required to take a writing/analytical test.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package

Duration: through December 2016

Location: Washington, DC

Qualifications

Part 5: How to Apply and more information about WRI

For positions in London , interested candidates should send a covering letter and resume to recruitment@newclimateeconomy.net, ensuring their name and position they are applying for feature in the subject line of the email. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.K. if applying for a position in London.

For positions in Washington, D.C., qualified applicants should apply online at www.wri.org/careers. All applications for Washington, D.C. must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. if applying for a position in Washington, D.C.

The deadline for applications is 9am GMT September 25 2015, however interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis

The World Resources Institute ( http://www.wri.org/wri ) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI’s policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.

About WRI

Established in 1982, WRI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization respected globally by policymakers, non-governmental organizations, and corporate leaders.

WRI’s reputation is grounded in its excellent analysis, non-partisan approach, and high-impact results. We measure our success based on how our work helps to create real-world change on the ground—and approach we call “Managing for Results.”

WRI’s work is united by and driven by our values: Innovation, Integrity, Urgency, Independence, and Respect.

WRI fosters a culture of innovative ideas, working collaboratively, and thinking independently. WRI employees are driven by the organization’s mission and have the satisfaction of helping to create a more prosperous and healthy planet.

Learn more about our organization at www.wri.org .