Job details

Strategic Engagement Senior Manager

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in our office in Washington DC, London, or The Hague. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

The decisions that national leaders, local officials, developers, and planners make today will determine how billions of people in urban centers will thrive over the next century. Already, half the global population resides in cities. That figure is set to increase to 70 percent by 2050. Traditional models of city development can lock us into congestion, sprawl, and inefficient resource use. However, compact, connected, and efficient growth can help ensure more competitive cities, and provide a better quality of life for citizens. WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities works to ensure cities drive economic opportunity while sustaining natural resources. We use technical expertise, cutting-edge research, and on-the-ground partnerships to design solutions that enable sustainable city growth. Our analysis and tools allow cities to effectively manage their natural resources and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Working across our network, we develop and support the implementation of research-based solutions in sustainable mobility, urban development, as well as urban efficiency & climate that reduce pollution, improve health, and create safe, accessible public spaces for all people to thrive. WRI Ross Center builds on WRI’s global and local experience in urban planning and mobility, and uses proven solutions and action-oriented tools to increase building and energy efficiency, manage water risk, encourage effective governance and make the fast-growing urban environment more resilient to new challenges. Aiming to influence 200 cities with unique research and tools, WRI Ross Center focuses on a deep cross-sector approach in selected megacities on two continents, and targeted assistance to additional 50 urban areas, bringing economic, environmental and social benefits to people in cities around the globe.

Job Highlight:

In this role, you will be responsible for developing and delivering the WRI Ross Center’s engagement strategy to increase the Center’s visibility, reputation and impact. Your responsibilities includes outreach to key stakeholders in government, private sector, and partners (NGOs, academia) to achieve strategic impact leading up to COP 30 and beyond. Among other responsibilities, you will lead the convenings of the Strategic Engagement Practice (SEP) Group, created to facilitate engagement coordination across the Center. You will thus help bolster WRI Ross Center’s strategic engagement capacity in a critical year for delivery on climate, additionally coordinating the continued development of multi-level partnership initiatives including implementation of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) initiative. This work will encompass engagement, strategy and project management activities.

What will you do:

Strategic Multi-level Partner Engagement (40%):

Establish and drive the implementation of the Ross Center’s engagement strategy with key partners, stakeholders and funders at the city, national and global levels, in coordination with Ross Center workstream directors, county offices, and development team. Develop strategic options for scaling multi-level partnerships work within WRI
Cultivate relationships with climate, urban, and development partners, funders, and other relevant actors, tracking news and opportunities, attending partner meetings, and informing and coordinating with relevant Ross Center workstreams and country offices. Respond to needs of key stakeholders in a timely manner that builds trust and cooperation
Contribute to the implementation, development and scaling of Ross Center multi-level partnership initiatives in coordination with the Ross Center Urban Efficiency and Climate team, including the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP)
Serve as Ross Center’s focal point for Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) and Climate and Urbanization Ministerial

Ross Center Engagement Management (40%):

Manage WRI Ross Center’s participation in major global events such as Transforming Transportation, World Urban Forum, NY Climate Week, World Cities Summit and UNFCCC COP. Coordinate across the Ross Center and country offices, and with WRI institutionally. Coordinate applications and/or advocate for WRI to participate, engage with potential funders and raise the Center’s profile. Create event and meeting trackers and briefing documents for Directors to engage in major global events
Develop and maintain systems to identify and track significant Cities events and engagement opportunities across programs and countries throughout the year
Convene internal engagement coordination meetings, for example the Strategic Engagement Practice (SEP) Group and the CHAMP Project Board and Working Groups, to facilitate coordination across Ross Center workstreams and country offices
Track and contribute to the management and information flows of partnerships across the Cities program e. Provide senior Ross Center staff the necessary information to make the most of formal and informal engagement opportunities

Ross Center Development (20%):

Support fundraising efforts on multi-level and multi-actor partnerships for the WRI Ross Center
Identify and create opportunities for the Ross Center to engage with existing and new prospective donors at major events
Coordinate with Ross Center directors to ensure necessary meeting preparation and follow up

What will you need:

Experience: You have 10 years of work experience
Education: You have an undergraduate BA or BS degree in a relevant field required. Master's degree in public policy, international development, economics, environmental science, urban planning or related fields is preferred
Experience engaging with government officials and working in multi-stakeholder groups, as well as experience working with international development and/or finance agencies
Experience developing and implementing a strategy for network building and engagement of key decision makers, experts and influencers
Strong understanding of the Cities and Climate issues and networks
Excellent communications skills, both written and oral
Highly organized with project management experience
Experience managing multiple, complex and time-sensitive requirements
Superb interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collegially with others and with the highest standards of integrity
Fluency in both English and host country language in written and oral communications required
Commitment to WRI Ross Center mission, values, and approach regarding climate issues

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 116,000 and 139,000 USD. UK Salary range is between 65,000 and 82,000 GBP. The Hague salary range is between 80,000 and 101,000 Euros. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 30 August 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

· 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

· Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours

· Generous leave days that increase with tenure

· Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution, Paid Time Off

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 and 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.

By World Resources Institute

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.

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FUNDING

Nonprofit

DEPARTMENTS

Strategy

SENIORITY LEVEL REQUIREMENT

Senior

INDUSTRY

Civic & Social Services

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