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 world needs to cut its emissions almost in half by 2030, reach net-zero by mid-century and adapt to prevent increasingly dangerous impacts of climate change. This will require a transformation in the economic, financial and governance systems at global and country levels, to simultaneously achieve the world’s people, nature and climate goals. To address this important challenge, WRI’s Global Climate, Economics and Finance (CEF) Program undertakes research and analysis; develop tools and standards; communicate and engage; and build coalition and capacity to accelerate climate ambition, country transitions and the required shifts in economic and financial systems and incentives. We work with national governments, policymakers, businesses, civil society, local governments, and other non-state actors as they pursue their own mitigation and adaptation goals. We work at the global level and in partnership with WRI’s twelve focus countries and regions and WRI’s ‘human system transition’ teams (focused on energy, cities, and food/land/water) to deliver this transformation. About Systems Change Lab: Systems Change Lab is a collaborative initiative that aims to spur action at the pace and scale needed to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges: limiting global warming to 1.5°C, halting biodiversity loss and building a just economy. Systems Change Lab has three functions: monitor progress made across each of the required transformational shifts, unveil what constitutes and promotes systems change, and mobilize support to realize a more sustainable, equitable future. Convened by World Resources Institute and the Bezos Earth Fund, Systems Change Lab supports the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions and works with key partners and funders including Climate Action Tracker (a project of Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute), ClimateWorks Foundation, Global Environment Facility, Just Climate, Mission Possible Partnership, Systemiq, University of Exeter, and the University of Tokyo’s Center for Global Commons, among others. Systems Change Lab is a component of the Global Commons Alliance.
Job Highlight:
In this position, you will lead research and technical inputs on the energy system - including energy supply, industry, transport, and the built environment - for Systems Change Lab. Your work will entail validating and updating the list of required shifts for each sector that allows the world to achieve climate, nature and equity goals, evidence-based targets for each shift, the underlying barriers and drivers of change, the best available indicators to track progress, and high-quality, publicly available datasets for each indicator. You will lead a body of research and related outreach looking at what drives systems change in energy and related demand sectors. You will also be an author across Systems Change Lab knowledge products, supporting regular progress assessments, contributing to annual reports and the Lab's dashboard, and conducting research on case studies and trend analysis of systems change within these sectors. In doing so, you will work closely with technical experts and partners across government, research and advocacy organizations, funders, and the private sector, as well as researchers within WRI’s Energy, Cities, and Climate, Economics and Finance programs. More broadly, you will also support the Lab’s communications and outreach efforts, maintain and cultivate key partnerships, and contribute to fundraising materials.
What will you do:
Research and analysis (60%):
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Spearhead the Lab’s efforts to validate, as well as revise where appropriate, targets, indicators, and datasets used to track progress across energy systems, spanning both energy supply, and end-use sectors like the built environment, industry and transport
- Conduct an assessment of global progress made towards energy supply, built environment, industry and transport targets for 2030, 2035 and 2050 in close partnership with the Lab’s research partners
- Lead global, national, and subnational research and analysis focused on identifying critical barriers to and drivers for accelerating transformational change across these sectors, as well as the most important enabling conditions need to overcome these obstacles
- Contribute in a writing role, as both a lead author and contributing author, to a wide range of knowledge products, such as the State of Climate Action reports, Systems Change Lab’s data platform, technical notes, sector-specific reports, articles and other outreach materials
- Develop new research questions aligned with the Lab’s strategy and manage the research teams needed to answer them
Partner Outreach & Project management (30%):
- Manage peer review processes with internal sectoral teams across WRI, as well as external partners, on a regular basis to advance on research and progress tracking for required transformations
- As the platform initiative expands into learning and sharing the ingredients for transformational change, and campaigning to accelerate action where it is most needed, act as relationship manager internally, as well as with partners and key relevant stakeholders for Systems Change Lab engagement efforts across energy supply, industry, transport, and the built environment. These efforts will be supported by our engagement team
- Support and, in some instances, lead fundraising activities for Systems Change Lab by cultivating funder relationships, developing concept notes and proposals, and reporting on them
Communications (10%):
- Represent WRI and the Systems Change Lab at conferences, workshops and other events
- Produce high-impact, high-quality articles, commentaries, presentations, and other communications materials for the Systems Change Lab
What will you need:
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Education: Master’s degree in environmental or energy policy, public policy or related field
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Experience: Minimum of 10 years of full-time work experience in energy, environmental, climate or related fields; knowledge of climate change issues
- In depth knowledge of energy systems, including energy supply and end-use sectors
- Published as lead author of peer-reviewed research, as well as experience in co-developing other knowledge products (e.g., working papers, technical notes, etc.)
- Strong analytical, research and quantitative skills, preferably with advanced Excel and modeling skills, and proven ability to deliver high-quality work
- Excellent writing, editing, presentation, and communication skills
- Project planning and management skills with great attention to detail Self-starter with ability to juggle multiple priorities at one time, work under tight deadlines and make independent decisions with problem-solving skills in some complex situations
- Experience working collaboratively in teams, with positive demeanor and determined attitude
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 September 20, 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.
