Institutional Partnerships Director

Programme & Policy

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Nairobi, Kenya; WRI Kenya. 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 cannot achieve the changes we seek in the world, alone. This is why we work with partners who complement our perspectives and extend our reach. These partners can be individuals, organizations, multilateral institutions, businesses, academics and governments. We enter partnerships as a way of growing our knowledge base and capacity, and we aim to support our partners with ideas, data and resources. We don’t just seek to make WRI stronger, we want to make the ecosystem better. By doing this, we expand the ecosystem for change

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships, you will champion WRI as a trusted partner for change, develop tools and programming to make WRI ‘fit for internal and external partnering’, having in place partnership-supportive systems and processes, guidance, skills and capabilities, and a culture of collaboration. Additionally, working alongside WRI's country and global teams, you will support the design and implementation of tailored partnership plans targeting international, regional, country and grassroot partners.

WRI aims to be a trusted partner for change. In this role, you will steer the implementation of the institutional-wide partnerships strategy in support of WRI’s global people, nature, and climate goals.

What will you do:

Build institutional partnership readiness (30%):

• Identify what it takes for WRI to be ‘fit for partnering’ (systems and processes, guidance and professional development, culture, network and connections)
• Develop roadmap to optimize WRI’s partnership capacity, a 3-5 year implementation plan with M&E framework, KPIs and baseline assessment
• Develop guidelines, tools and incentives for effective partnering across all stakeholder types, while protecting the vision and core principles of value based, innovative partnerships
• Operationalize WRI’s partnership typology, a categorisation of WRI’s partnerships based on our purpose, targets and assessment linked to risk and impact

Perform partnerships management and governance (50%):

• Oversee development, and deployment of the partnerships management system which will streamline, coordinate and provide transparency on external stakeholder engagement at country, regional and international
• Be a trusted advisor to new and existing partnerships throughout the partnership cycle; from Scoping and Building, Managing and maintaining, Reviewing and revising, and Sustaining outcomes of partnerships
• Work cross-organizationally to monitor the organization’s partnership portfolio, to identify gaps and potential new opportunities and risks, and to understand those that are delivering significant value to WRI and those that could use some time investment to maximise impact
• Learn and continuously build understanding and capabilities on effective partnering and proposed adjustments to WRI’s partnering approach, systems and culture, as needed
• Maintain regular communication with internal partnership focal points to strengthen coordination and collaboration

Nurture strategic external engagement (20%):

• Conduct analysis of political and economic trends, policy developments, and regulatory changes that may impact WRI’s country engagements, and provide advisory support to teams
• Co-create key strategic multi-partner convenings that advance WRI’s global people, nature, and climate goals, with country and global teams
• Maintain regular communication with external partnership focal points to strengthen coordination and collaboration

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a master’s degree in the field of management, or business administration or another relevant academic discipline
• Experience: You have a minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience working in strategy, program management, international development, or related activities with link to climate or broader environmental issues
• Experience in capacity building in partnership development and growth
• Experience effectively navigating intricate political and economic contexts are essential
• Experience working in developing nations and emerging economies is advantageous
• Ability to be self-directed and work well independently and as part of a geographically and culturally diverse team
• Extensive experience building, managing and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders (donors, high-level champions, partners and internal stakeholders) to inclusively achieve objectives
• Proven ability to lead the coordination and delivery of major events, influence strategies, and international programs
• Polished and professional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Experience, effectiveness, and resiliency working in a fast-paced environment
• Languages: Proficiency in verbal and written English, with French as an added advantage
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: 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 11 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:

• A competitive salary
• 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 6 days ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: wri.org