MEL Manager Land and Carbon Lab

This position will be hybrid requiring a few days per week in the US office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

Land & Carbon Lab (LCL) is WRI’s premier hub for geospatial data, analysis, and monitoring of the world’s land and its natural ecosystems. Our data and monitoring solutions, which include the Global Forest Watch platform, exist to help accelerate implementation and financing of nature-based solutions worldwide. LCL collaborates across WRI and WRI’s network of external partners to transform big geospatial data into action and impact. www.landcarbonlab.org

Job Highlight:

You will closely with the Director of MEL for Food Land and Water FLW team and the MEL specialist for Global Forest Watch to deliver coordinated comprehensive MEL strategy for two intersecting teams. You will lead on performance measurement and reporting for Land and Carbon Lab, and collaborate across the team to ensure monitoring activities meet the team's needs. You will extract lessons to help the team adapt strategies and deliver results.

What will you do:

Lead MEL strategy at Land and Carbon Lab and GFW (40%):

• With support from the Director of MEL for Food Land and Water FLW, lead the design and implementation of MEL strategies for Land and Carbon Lab and Global Forest Watch
• Identify Indicators at Performance and Outcome level, in collaboration with staff and based on the Theory of Change underpinning LCL’s work and establish methods for measuring those indicators
• Manage GFW MEL specialist and ensure their work aligns closely with the LCL MEL plan
• Manage and support the gathering, documenting and review of user stories as part of the performance measurement
• Review performance data, extract lessons and communicate that information to the LCL team and broader audience when appropriate
• Communicate with LCL Staff on tools and strategies, reporting requirements, and lessons learned
• Contribute to strategy discussions and the development of future work for LCL
• Engage in exchanges with other teams to improve learning approaches for LCL and other teams
• Collaborate with the broader FLW MEL team on evaluations as needed

Compile, and Manage Project Performance Data for LCL (40%):

• Document Land and Carbon Lab’s project status using user stories and other metrics; present data in dashboards, narrative and or presentations
• Implement, refine and maintain consistent data collection methods for indicator Adapt/refine tools for collecting and sharing information necessary to monitor project activities and narrative
• Compile and manage program data and document progress toward outcomes for internal and external communication/reports
• Coordinate with teams including: Engagement, Product, Data Lab, and Communications teams to compile data from all channels, such as: Google analytics, Data Explorer, social media analytics, trainings, user feedback, user stories and more
• Support the management and processing of spatial data on land use and forest monitoring as needed

Coordinate and Draft Reports and Donor Presentations (20%):

• Maintain a reporting calendar
• Engage in donor relations regarding reports and MEL Draft reports and support submission to donors
• Facilitate and coordinate project progress presentation to ensure data utilization for decision making
• Provide updates and guidance on performance monitoring successes and issues, including from partners

What will you need:

• Education: You have a completed Bachelor’s degree (Masters preferred) in international relations/development, environmental science, geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), public policy or a related field
• Experience: You have a minimum of 5 years of experience, in MEL, Program management or a related field (including experience with results frame works, theory of change and indicator design)
• Experience gathering qualitative and data for example, conducting client interviews and processing interview data
• Experience handling and analyzing and summarizing large datasets, such as survey responses
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to juggle multiple projects and responsibilities
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced office environment, both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills; able to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Experience with statistical software such as Stata, R or SPSS and with Power BI
• Demonstrated interest in environmental and international development issues
• Flexible, highly responsible, articulate, self-motivated, with a good sense of humor and ability to think creatively
• Languages: You have written and verbal proficiency in English, with additional languages a plus
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary range is between 84,000 and 92,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of 05 January 2024. 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.