This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in our office based in 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 World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Ocean Program is focused on accelerating progress toward a sustainable ocean economy and achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 - the Ocean Goal. The program supports efforts to address the numerous challenges the ocean faces and encourage conservation of the marine environment alongside the sustainable use of the marine resources. WRI serves as the Secretariat to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) a unique global initiative by serving world leaders that is working to build momentum towards a sustainable ocean economy. In 2020, the Ocean Panel laid out a new ocean action agenda, ‘Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy’, charting a course towards achieving effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity of the ocean. Through the Ocean Program and Ocean Panel, WRI has set out to build a greater understanding among governments, business leaders, financiers and practitioners of the opportunities, solutions, values and contribution of the ocean to the global economy, human health and wellbeing, and to accelerate knowledge-based decision making and solutions that drive inclusive ocean based economic opportunities while sustaining ocean ecosystems and coastal populations. https://www.wri.org/ocean Accelerating Ocean Action for a Sustainable Ocean Economy | World Resources Institute (wri.org) https://oceanpanel.org High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (oceanpanel.org)
Job Highlight:
In this role, as a core member of the Ocean Panel Secretariat team, you will lead in driving forward the implementation of the Ocean Panel’s priorities across key topics from sustainable ocean management to finance, from cross-cutting issues of climate change to sectoral strategies for blue food. You will contribute to the development of the Ocean Panel’s Post 2025 strategy and priorities, alongside playing a key role in supporting the delivery of the Ocean Panel’s regular activities. You will project manage and lead the coordination of outreach and engagement of activities for the Ocean Panel and a new campaign, the 100% Alliance, working to secure voluntary commitments from all coastal and ocean states towards 100% sustainable ocean management. You will work closely with members of the WRI Ocean team, the Ocean Panel Secretariat, and the Director of the Ocean Action 2030 coalition. You will report to the Deputy Head of the Ocean Panel Secretariat. This position will be a hybrid model of remote and in-office.
What will you do:
Ocean Panel Secretariat (50%):
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Support the Deputy Head of Secretariat in the delivery of key Ocean Panel activities, including Leader-level and Sherpa-level (i.e. Ministerial/Ambassador-level) meetings through preparation of strategic agendas and papers
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Drive forward the implementation of priority Ocean Panel Collective Action Areas including through catalysing and supporting country uptake of policy recommendations, and through collaboration in partnership with key international organizations and Action Groups
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Guide the production of a new Handbook on Sustainable Ocean Plans to support Ocean Panel representatives and wider practitioners in the implementation of the Ocean Panel’s 100% sustainable management commitment, overseeing the coordination and contribution from experts and academics
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Contribute to the development of the Ocean Panel’s Post 2025 strategy and priorities, including through the development and advancement of new Ocean Panel initiatives and collaborations to influence policies and investments related to ocean-based solutions at the nexus of climate, people, economy, and biodiversity, and under the Ocean Panel’s Transformations Agenda
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Support regular and coordinated engagement with Ocean Panel members, including interfacing with technical focal points and supporting Head and Deputy Head in engagements
Outreach and Engagement (30%):
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Project manage the coordination and engagement with country officials and non-state actors, including advocacy towards building the membership of the 100% Alliance, seeking to secure voluntary country commitments towards 100% sustainable ocean management, and as part of a campaign towards the next UN Ocean Conference
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Spearhead the preparation and delivery of outreach activities for the Ocean Panel Secretariat and 100% Alliance, including the concept development and delivery of key side events and Joint Learning Events at key international meetings
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Represent the Ocean Panel Secretariat/WRI in international fora, including in speaking engagements and meetings
Policy Lead (20%):
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Track and analyse global trends, developments and country priorities and progress relevant to the work of the WRI Ocean Program and Ocean Panel, across interconnected issues of ocean, climate, and biodiversity and provide expertise across the Program’s platforms and work streams
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Develop indicators to track and monitor progress of Ocean Panel members towards the Transformations Agenda, including it’s headline commitment of 100% sustainable ocean management
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Guide production of a ‘Stocktake’ report in 2025, and the third Ocean Panel Progress Report in 2026 to promote greater transparency of Ocean Panel member commitments and progress. People management
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Line management of two junior staff members, and activity management of wider junior team members/contractors WRI country office
What will you need:
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Education: You will have a completed Bachelor's degree
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Experience: 7+ years of professional experience in related issues (ocean, biodiversity, climate change, national and international policy processes)
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You will have experience in country-level and diplomatic engagement, including leading bilateral discussions with official focal points and supporting ministerial engagements
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You will have experience in national, bilateral, and multilateral policy processes with an understanding of strategies for influencing such processes and international agreements
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You will have experience in leading outreach, including developing and delivering online webinars, dialogues and in-person side events, panels, and conferences and preparing speakers
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Project management skills, including delivering measurable results and products within agreed timelines
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Overseeing and conducting policy analysis to shape policy priorities on issues relevant to ocean, climate, and biodiversity
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You will have experience in developing impactful strategies and knowledge-based recommendations to influence policies on ocean, climate or biodiversity issues
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Demonstrated success in working collaboratively and in partnership with stakeholders across academia, government, corporate and civil society
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Mentoring and supporting the development of junior staff
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Languages: You will have written and spoken proficiency in English
Potential Salary: Salary range in UK is between 53,000 to 67,000 GBP. Salary range in The Hague is between 67,000 and 84,000 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 October 8, 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
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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.
