Head of Communications, NDC Partnership

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days a month in our Washington DC office. 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 NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 200 members, including more than 120 countries, developed, and developing, and nearly 100 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance, and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development.

Job Highlight:

The NDC Partnership is seeking a Head of Communications with experience leading external and internal communications and a dynamic international team.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff for the NDC Partnership Support Unit, you will drive the Partnership’s communications strategy, execution by the Support Unit and facilitation among members and partners to advance the Partnership’s brand, influence and impact. You will oversee editorial and design, and events. You will help evolve a proactive, agile approach to content development and dissemination. You will strengthen the relationship between our communications and events, ensuring together, both workstreams elevate the Partnership’s narrative and visibility. You will help develop and facilitate internal communications, strengthening engagement and will ensure a cohesive narrative across external and internal communications and in our events. This scope of work requires close coordination with the NDC Management team and NDC Partnership member countries, institutions and other key stakeholders.

What will you do:

External communications (40%):

• Frame key messaging that reinforces and refines the Partnership’s overall narrative. Ensure messaging is tailored for distinct audiences, including developing country governments, partner organizations and funders, and build on our country engagement and knowledge and learning work, and the strengths of our members to drive NDC implementation and enhancement globally
• Oversee the production of high-quality impactful content, showcasing examples of countries taking early and ambitious action to implement their national climate plans under the Paris Agreement and the collaborative effort of members and partners to support these efforts
• Creatively translate, in coordination with staff and external vendors climate-oriented analysis and policy recommendations into compelling communication campaigns, including through multimedia content and general communications materials: messaging, talking points, PowerPoint slides, infographics and marketing materials
• Increase alignment of member and partner communication, including identifying strategic opportunities for joint outreach and collaboration
• Oversee the Partnership’s digital communications, including web and social platforms, and media engagement
• Strengthen training and capacity building for Support Unit staff on communications-relevant skills, setting best practices and increasing consistency in standards across the team
• Set and refine performance indicators
• Work with the Chief of Staff on critical message development and dissemination

Internal Communications (15%):

• Support the framing of key messaging, in close collaboration with the Chief of Staff and Management team
• Frame and lead a systematic internal communication approach, following clear priorities and aligned principles
• Produce relevant and engaging content to increase employee engagement and set targeted dissemination through internal channels

Events (15%):

• Oversee the development and execution of a diverse portfolio of events within the broader climate and development calendar, including the Partnership engagement at the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Ensure an Agile approach to cross team collaboration in the preparation and execution of events
• Guide event promotion and marketing, including post event coverage of engagements by the Support Unit, members and partners

Management (30%):

• Guide and oversee the work of the NDC Partnership’s communications staff, for both editorial and design
• Ensure cohesion in the management of all vendors and contractors, from budget and invoicing to the delivery of all products according to branding and messaging standards
• Oversee the events staff, and the global program of in-person, hybrid and virtual convenings, which the Support Unit leads and those in which the Support Unit plays an active role
• Strengthen quality assurance process and system that works at scale, streamlining and accelerating work flow
• Assume responsibility for the communications and events budget, from annual work planning to expense tracking
• Foster an empowered team to thrive in a collaborative, agile, fast paced environment

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a Master's degree in relevant field (Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, etc.)
• Experience: You have minimum of 10 year of full-time relevant work experience managing dynamics communications team, cross-functional, global environment focused on ESG and/or Social Impact and/or NGO environment. International / hybrid management experience an asset
• Content experience in climate or environmental expertise required, experience crafting communication strategies around climate, energy or broader environmental an asset
• Core communications skills and experience: experience with writing and crafting messaging, including on digital platforms, working with relevant press, basic fluency in graphic design and copyediting
• Relevant professional experience creating communications strategies and project management; ability to lead the planning, coordination and execution of communications products, influence strategies and audience targeting
• Expertise in internal communications and experience developing internal campaigns for diverse teams
• Experience leading successful engagement and events in one or more of the following settings: national, state or local government; national or state-level NGO, private sector or public service, or political campaigns; international experience or prior work in a global organization preferred
• Languages: Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary range is between 116,000 and 139,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive renumeration and benefits package.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of April 9, 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.