Policy Accelerator Research Analyst

Job Summary:

The Global Restoration Initiative is seeking a part-time limited-term research analyst to support the Policy accelerator program in Latin America. The Policy Accelerator is a peer-to-peer, capacity-building program for policymakers looking to improve the implementation of existing policies or design new policies or regulations to promote the implementation of landscape restoration

Your main objective is to unite policy innovators and better understand what factors help and hinder their policies to reach implementation or their intended objective. You will also bring together leading practitioners, economists, and experts in their fields to demystify specific incentives (e.g. carbon tax program, Forest Incentives, Payment for Ecosystem Services) in support of policy innovators’ needs. Support could include access to analyses, mentors, and knowledge networks that enhance policy innovators’ abilities to advocate for cost-effective policies that support restoration on forests and agricultural lands in their respective countries.

In this position, you will focus on supporting the Policy Accelerator planning, coordinating communications with country focal points and mentors in Latin America. Your duties will include the organization of a series of three Policy Dialogs to inform decision-makers on how to design, develop or improve policies to increase the pace of restoration in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Initiative 20×20 in Latin America, and AFR100 in Africa. You will provide strategic advice on identifying country bottlenecks around incentives for restoration and help to prepare a roadmap with potential solutions to the country’s problems.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based in Washington, DC once restrictions have been lifted.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support data analysis of knowledge products on restoration policies in landscape restoration globally (through the interaction with the Global Restoration Initiative) and regionally (by working directly with the LAC 20×20 and AFR100 teams)
• Facilitate the exchange of experiences on policy instruments for landscape restoration; among various governments participating in the Policy accelerator program
• Support the enhancement of cross-institutional collaboration within participants from each country by uniting them in a common goal and bottleneck to be addressed in the policy acceleration program
• Support the identification of restoration policy bottlenecks in collaboration with leading policy innovators and mentors
• Provide strategic advice to inform and develop the GRI Strategy engagement pillar
• Identify potential uses of WRI’s landscape restoration monitoring tools in policy analysis
• Present complex information clearly and concisely and communicate research findings to research and non-research to focused audiences such as governments and the private sector
• Support the drafting of reports and peer-review manuscripts, case studies, outreach materials, presentations, and blogs.
• Engage with Policy accelerator participants to maximize peer-to-peer learning and support from the policy accelerator

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Forestry, Environmental Policy, or a related field or relevant work experience
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant, full-time work experience
• Previous experience managing research projects and contributing to peer-reviewed publications 
• Familiarity with environmental policy analysis and social impact measurements
• Ability to present complex technical information in a clear and concise manner
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work with minimal oversight
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• US work authorization is required for this position

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of data gaps and challenges related to public incentives in landscape restoration Experience working in Latin America countries.
• Spanish language skills

Potential Salary:

$26,000 – $34,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter with resume. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Program Overview:

Global Restoration Initiative and Initiative 20×20 Overview The Global Restoration Initiative aims to catalyze a political and social movement to restore vitality to degraded lands. These degraded lands can be restored into healthy mosaics of sustainable agriculture, agroforestry landscapes (or mixed-forest agriculture), and restored forest ecosystems generating economic, ecological, and social benefits to people and the planet. Within the Global Restoration Initiative, WRI exercises the secretariat of Initiative 20×20, a country-driven effort to change the dynamics of land degradation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The initiative’s short-term goal is bringing 20 million hectares under restoration by 2020, and 30 million hectares by 2030 (to be reflected in member countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Climate Agreement). We currently work with 18 countries, over 70 technical partners, and 22 private impact funds and corporations to achieve these goals.

The Initiative has associated private investment earmarks of the order of US$2.4 billion for the financing of land restoration efforts in the region from 21 private financial partners, including impact investment funds. To support the efforts by the private sector, the Initiative has promoted a financial architecture with the objective of addressing information gaps (review of available financial incentives, assessment of benefits and costs linked to landscape restoration, and others), promoting the development of investable options, and addressing the perception of risks. Engaging the private sector is key to counteract land degradation and improving livelihoods by restoring degraded land and forests while increasing the productivity of existing agricultural land and avoiding further deforestation

WRI Overview:

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 in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

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.
 
We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

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.