Director, International Climate Initiative

Consistently recommended by staff as one of the "Most desired organizations to work for", and recognized by the University of Pennsylvania's 2012 Global Go-To Think Tank Rankings as #1 Think Tank in the Environmental and Energy and Resource categories, the World Resources Institute (WRI) has 30+ years experience focusing on the intersection of the environment and socio-economic development. We go beyond research to put ideas into action, working globally with governments, business, and civil society to build transformative solutions that protect the earth and improve people’s lives.

At WRI, we are driven by your success. We engage your unique talents and perspectives. We welcome your ideas on how to do things differently and better. In your efforts to achieve, learn, and grow, we support you all the way. If success motivates you, you belong at WRI! WRI has a unique opportunity for a Director for its International Climate Initiative - part of the Climate & Energy Program (CEP) that aims to mobilize political will and creative thinking to shape equitable and ambitious international climate agreements leading up to 2015.   The successful candidate will be responsible for shaping and executing an ambitious 5-year strategy, and guiding a team of experts to achieve large-scale, lasting results. 

The International Climate Initiative seeks to support – and reach beyond – traditional international treaty mechanisms to move the world toward a near-zero-carbon economy by 2050.  Among these new concepts is the Climate Justice Dialogue (CJD), a partnership with the Mary Robinson Foundation for Climate Justice. The concept of “justice” provides a welcome opportunity and mobilizing narrative to rethink the relationship between equity and ambition, and how they can reinforce each other’s goals and successes. CJD provides a platform to surface current assumptions on equity and a global forum to socialize ideas on how to operationalize equity in a way that safeguards environmental integrity, protects populations most vulnerable to climate change, and creates the basis for the widest possible cooperation among countries.

The position is located at WRI’s headquarters in Washington, DC, and reports to the CEP Director.

• Develop and communicate a compelling and coherent strategy for the International Climate Initiative and Climate Justice Dialogue (CJD) projects.
• Provide strategic direction for the ICI and CJD in close collaboration with colleagues across the World Resources Institute and with wider partnerships.
• Guide and monitor the execution and strategy of multiple complex projects and the achievement of tangible outcomes in the external world.
• Supervise the development of a large body of analysis dealing with mitigation, adaptation, climate finance technology, and the development of the justice narrative.
• Participate in international processes including the UNFCCC. Provide credible, timely advice and analysis to government and non-governmental players to inform decision making.
• Serve as spokesperson for the International Climate Initiative and the Climate Justice Dialogue, communicating to key audiences and promoting team research findings and policy recommendations through briefings of policymakers, practitioners, reporters, and corporate leaders.
• Review and edit emerging analysis to ensure they meet WRI’s high standards for quality.
• Manage 4-6 direct reports and two or more additional projects.
• Source and secure long-term funding for the current and new projects under the International Climate Initiative and CJD in collaboration with the project managers, the CEP Director, WRI Development, and CJD partners. This includes leveraging existing relationships with bilateral and multilateral donors, foundations, corporations, and individual donors, as well as cultivating and maintaining new relationships.
• Write, edit, and assist with fundraising proposals and grant reports consistently over $1 million annually.

• Advanced degree in the social sciences with a focus on one or more of climate policy, economics, development and communications.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the field of international climate policy with a focus on international negotiations and processes (e.g., United Nations Family including UNFCCC, World Bank, WTO, etc.).
• Strong network of relationships and partners in the field of climate, development and justice. Sound knowledge Civil Society would be preferred.
• Superb analytical and strategic thinking skills; a track record of creating and executing large, multi-year strategies preferred.
• Outstanding ability to communicate clearly, passionately, and confidently to influence a wide range of audiences, including senior policymakers, NGOs, and corporate leaders.
• Experience briefing journalists and speaking to the media.
• Experience directly managing and mentoring a diverse and multinational staff.
• History of securing funding from donors on a large scale. 
• Excellent writing skills, including experience writing and managing flagship publications.
• Mastery of oral and written English. Proficiency in at least one other language (e.g., Portuguese, Chinese) preferred.
• Willingness to travel at least 20% of time.

Location: Washington, DC

Salary:  depending on qualifications. WRI offers a comprehensive benefits package.

About the Climate & Energy Program

WRI’s Climate & Energy Program strives to set the world on a new course, one with cleaner energy sources, healthier ecosystems and societies, technological innovation, and economic opportunities. Working with international, governmental, civil society, and business partners, CEP identifies and promotes effective policies and strategies to address climate change. The 50-person program currently works in fields such as renewable energy, U.S. federal and state climate policy, international climate policy, greenhouse gas accounting, carbon capture and storage, international emissions trading, the relationship between forests and climate, and adaptation to climate change. The program has a significant international focus, especially through partnerships in developing countries.

About WRI

Established in 1982, WRI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization respected globally by policymakers, NGOs, and corporate leaders because of the rigorous quality, balance, and independence of its work. With its think-tank roots, WRI values innovative ideas, working collaboratively, and thinking independently. It is a results-oriented organization that rewards the achievement of significant outcomes, such as helping shape international climate policy by providing key inputs and analysis into the UNFCCC process, and establishing the Greenhouse Gas Protocol – the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. WRI employees see the results of their hard work and have the satisfaction of making a significant difference in the world.

Apply at www.wri.org/careers. No phone calls please.