Director, Applied Research & Learning, Restoration

IT & Telecom Information Management

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the Program:

The Global Restoration Initiative aims to catalyze a political and social movement to restore vitality to degraded lands. These degraded lands can be restored into healthy mosaics of sustainable agriculture, agroforestry landscapes (or mixed-forest agriculture), and restored forest ecosystems generating economic, ecological, and social benefits to people and planet. The Global Restoration Initiative team operates through three pillars: Inform: Create new data on tree growth and its impacts that provide insights at the global, national and landscape scales; Enable: Shift policies & incentives by supporting decision makers with data, insights & peer connection; Invest: ensure sufficient technical knowledge, financing and monitoring systems in place to replicate and scale up restoration activities.

Job Highlight:

GRI seeks to support the scaling of restoration to meet global forest and ecosystem restoration goals, as well as support climate mitigation adaptation, provision of ecosystem services like food and water security, and support to livelihoods and economic security. This scale must be achieved in a way that is socially just and support sustainability over the long-term. Building the systems architecture to scale the restoration sector will require knowledge and learning from existing restoration efforts and related finance and policy initiatives. You will work across the Global Restoration Initiative and with partners to facilitate co-creation of learning and thought leadership to support the scaling of restoration in a sustainable, equitable way. You will manage processes to co-develop applied research and thought leadership, bringing together expertise and viewpoints from across international teams and GRI pillar teams, and working closely with the GRI communications team. Connecting program strategy, research, and communications, they will support the team by providing coordination and strategic direction to produce knowledge and communication products that harmonize diverse perspective, elevate expertise of team members and partners, and fill critical knowledge gaps.

What will you do:

Research, Knowledge, and Thought Leadership (60%):

• Facilitate processes to identify, spotlight, and bring together knowledge and learning from across the GRI team, and partners as appropriate. Leverage team insights and expertise to inform strategy, planning, and delivery of research and learning agenda
• Coordinate input from across the GRI team to develop a strategy for applied research aimed at obtaining the scale of restoration required to meet global goals in a way that is sustainable and supports equitable distribution of restoration benefits
• Identify and prioritize knowledge needs, working collaboratively to incorporate prospectives from across the GRI team and from key partners
• Serve as a connector to link strategy, research, and communications, ensuring that research and knowledge production is communicated internally and externally through appropriate strategic channels to reach target audiences and inform restoration actions and decisions
• Facilitate co-development of research and learning that incorporates insight, expertise, and feedback from team members to fill knowledge gaps for the restoration sector
• Priority research areas may include but are not limited to: effective restoration monitoring approaches; appropriate application of tree-based and non-tree-based restoration; finance infrastructure needs; social demographic representation and access in the restoration economy
• Provide opportunities for GRI team members to inform priorities and co-create or contribute to knowledge and though leadership, for example by convening brainstorming and strategy sessions, sharing early stage thinking and draft documents for review and feedback, and working one-on-one or in small groups to produce knowledge and learning
• Engage with target audiences in the development of knowledge products to ensure clear and timely use cases; co-develop applied research with partners as appropriate
• Elevate expertise and perspectives of restoration champions and local partners through knowledge and communication products as appropriate
• Work with GRI Knowledge Management Officer to connect internal knowledge management systems with external-facing knowledge and communications, ensuring that knowledge management systems support capturing and sharing of learning and contribute to thought leadership
• Co-author knowledge products (e.g., reports, briefs, data-products). Ensure research methodologies support integration of diverse knowledge and perspectives
• Support and mentor team members in crafting of learning questions, measurement approaches, and research and knowledge activities
• Represent WRI’s work on restoration in various arenas, including within and outside WRI. Keep up to date with new trends, emerging research areas and potential focus areas that could be applied to the initiative

Program/Project Management (20%):

• Serve as the GRI team lead for facilitating strategic research and learning, working in close collaboration with and leveraging the expertise of the communications team, international office teams, and GRI pillar leads and staff
• Provide support and coordination for research strategy and activities for the Global Restoration Initiative team, including stewardship of a strategy and research task force or similar structure that consists of team members from around GRI
• Act as a primary liaison with WRI’s Research, Data and Innovation team Facilitate in-country training and assistance for restoration research and learning as needed Manage staff and consultants as needed, including knowledge management and research staff; Leveraging skills of team members and partners to develop scaling strategies Facilitate strategic support to project partners – individuals and institutions – in priority countries
• Develop and contribute to project plans, budgets, project-related communication material, and ensure the achievement of deliverables and external outcomes
• Identify priorities based on input from the team, delegating and maintaining focus of workflow

Communications (20%):

• Work with GRI Communications team to identify strategic communications opportunities based on existing GRI research and data
• Lead or support the development of strategic communications products, in collaboration with the GRI Communications team and other relevant colleagues and partners
• Inform communications priorities and help ensure communications products are grounded in the most recent and relevant evidence and case examples

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a Masters or PhD in a field in the Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, or another related field
• Experience: You have a minimum of 12 years of professional experience in relevant social sciences field focused on research and program management; minimum of 3 years in supervision or leadership role
• Experience building partnerships with others in service of climate, research, policy and social science outcomes, including civil society, academia, private sector and/or government actors
• Experience facilitating inclusive, participatory processes to develop research and implement programs; experience harmonizing research contributions and feedback from a range of partners and stakeholders
• Exceptional writing and research abilities. Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities
• Experience working in Africa, Asia and/or Latin America. Exceptionally good communication and interpersonal skills
• Expert understanding of WRI’s Research, Data and Innovation standards, policies, and processes and ability to incorporate these into project deliverables
• Experience as lead author and researcher in development of WRI knowledge products
• Experience building and managing research and strategic partnerships, including to develop novel methods and MRV knowledge products Monitoring, evaluation and learning expertise
• Willingness to think innovatively, creatively, and collaboratively to help solve complex global problems
• Detail-oriented and organized thinker who can juggle multiple, competing priorities
• Experience overseeing large, complex international programs, including budget oversight and management
• Experience managing team members from diverse technical backgrounds
• Ability to travel 30% or more when needed
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a larger team.
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 138,000 and 166,000 USD. 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 5 July 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

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.

Apply now

Added 4 days ago - Updated 28 minutes ago - Source: wri.org