Head of Climate and Resources

Head of Climate & Resources - China, World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate (CNC) is a multistakeholder platform to safeguard our global commons. It catalyses partnerships in order to fast track industry and government towards net zero, nature positive transformation through three key agendas:

• Net-Zero: Industry decarbonisation ahead of 1.5 degree Paris pathway
• Nature Positive: Systems transition in land and ocean use
• Better Living: Resource stewardship in food, water and materials

Through its Beijing office, the Forum leverages its established presence in China to drive impact by building knowledge and insights, and curating communities and initiatives of purpose, shifting production and consumption systems to be more regenerative, circular and sustainable.

The Head of Climate and Resources – China, will be a senior leader who will shape the strategic direction of the climate and resource systems in China, by enabling bold, action-oriented partnerships with key decision makers including the Chinese Government, SOEs, private sector, civil society and academia.

Breakdown of main responsibilities

To Strengthen existing and develop new flagship initiatives in China, while engaging the Forum’s multistakeholder networks. Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead China-based climate and resource-related engagements with relevant senior stakeholders in government, business, and civil society, in partnership with the Head of Nature, China, and in collaboration with the Forum Government and Business teams
• Collaborate with the Business Engagement team to grow and deepen engagement with the Forum’s partners
• Lead programmatic strategy and curation of Forum events in China, in particular the climate and resource-related sessions at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions
• Engage and manage research fellows and academic partners to support research and delivery of program strategy
• Build and strengthen collaborations with other Centres across the Forum, enabling new industry coalitions, roadmaps, and investments in line with China’s carbon neutrality and resource stewardship priorities
• Manage a team of project and community managers focused on energy, materials, and industry in collaboration with the Forum’s Global Industry heads through a matrix management function
• Serve as a connector between international actors and Chinese stakeholders in the industry decarbonization & better living agendas, and a liaison between the Beijing office for the Nature and Climate Forum leadership in Geneva.

The candidate will also exhibit the One Forum spirit and drive linkages and identify opportunities to strengthen the value proposition across initiatives.

Reporting lines and interactions

The Head will report to the Head of Centres & Impact at the Forum’s China office in Beijing, with a matrix reporting line to the Managing Director, Centre for Nature and Climate in Geneva.

Preferred requirements and experience

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in areas such as project management, international business and stakeholder engagement, corporate social and environmental responsibility, economic / climate policy, social development and political economy issues. Fundraising experience is a key advantage
• Has a master’s degree or equivalent experience in industry decarbonization, community resilience, environment and resource management, environmental economics, finance, economic policy and/or business strategy
• Proven understanding of industry issues and relevant government policies around of heavy industries (steel, aluminium, cement etc), energy, production and consumption (including regenerative / adaptive agriculture, and material pollution i.e. plastics), the built environment and circularity.
• Has experience working in relevant business, non-profit, SOE or government departments, with exposure to international and multicultural environments. Experience in engaging government officials and state-owned enterprises strongly preferred.
• Possesses strong knowledge in the key areas of building and delivering global public-private partnerships, and committed to the wider mission of the Forum
• Enjoys talking to the media and be able to help moderate and facilitate high-level discussions
• Has an excellent command of written and spoken English and Mandarin
• Possesses excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills; a positive team player
• Strong problem solving, analytical, synthesizing and consulting skills and the ability to communicate complex information succinctly
• Willingness to travel regularly, and work in a highly demanding environment juggling multiple priorities and being self-directed

Why work at the Forum:

The Forum believes that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to improve the state of the world by building awareness and cooperation, shaping mindsets and agendas, and driving collective action. Join us and become a driver for positive change!