Associate, Development Finance Institutions

Job Summary:

WRI seeks an Associate to join our International Financial Institutions team. In this role, you will advance sustainable investment, financing practices, and climate finance. You will contribute through research and engagement that incentivizes international financial institutions, such as the Multilateral Development Banks or the International Monetary Fund, to integrate sustainability considerations—especially climate change—into their policies and decision-making. In addition to research and engagement, you will coach less-experienced team members and support the Center’s fundraising efforts. You will also gain first-hand experience interacting with international financial institutions and development finance institutions and the opportunities and challenges associated with sustainable investing by supporting WRI’s efforts to reorient financial flows. In fulfilling your responsibilities, you will collaborate with colleagues in other projects within the Center, other parts of WRI, and research partners worldwide.

This position is remote due to Covid-19 and can remain remote once restrictions are lifted.

Job Responsibilities:

Research & Knowledge (75% of time)

• Conduct research and stakeholder engagement aimed at improving the quality and adoption of sustainable economic and financial policies, including investment and financing strategies and products
• Author or co-author knowledge products (e.g., reports, issue briefs, working papers, and technical notes) and coordinate the publication process
• Author or co-author at least two blogs a year on timely international/sustainable finance topics
• Contribute to developing publications, methodologies, and/or data tools that help policy makers and investors integrate environmental and social considerations, particularly those related to climate change, into their investment and financing decisions
• Implement research methods that lead to robust and unbiased knowledge products and guide the development of analytical methodologies
• Collaborate within WRI to help
• Develop research and analytical products that promote climate-friendly economic and financial policies, and
• Facilitate knowledge exchange within the NGO community and disseminate our approach to a wide range of stakeholders and audiences
• Prepare presentations and share research findings with stakeholders and decision-makers
• Serve as a resource for the team on the social and equity dimensions of sustainable economic and financial policies, particularly as they relate to financing investments that mitigate climate change
• Review 2-4 knowledge products written by other WRI researchers yearly
• Mentor junior researchers

Project Management (20% of time)

• In collaboration with senior level staff, manage partnerships and relationships with global team members and external partners, as relevant
• Manage and monitor project deliverables, setting and clarifying research priorities, manage outcomes associated with project deliverables
• Monitor and manage project performance and/or budget as relevant, scoping progress according to planned milestones, expenses and revenue, and internal and donor reporting

 

Fundraising/Grant Management (5% of time)

• Complete institutional and donor reporting (e.g. narrative) for projects, including project outcomes
• Contribute to funding proposals
• Support funding partner relationships through external outreach and due diligence
• Contribute to donor presentations

Job Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in environmental economics, law, finance, or other related fields or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 5 years of full-time work experience in relevant field, with research experience, a record of publications, and project management experience
• Demonstrated understanding of the international financial system and development finance institutions, particularly climate finance and/or environmental economics
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable communicating verbally and in writing with different audiences, including colleagues, officials, media, and donors
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research and analytical skills
• Prior supervision and mentorship of one or more junior staff
• Detail-oriented and organized thinker who can juggle multiple, competing priorities
• Track record of working collaboratively on teams and providing support to team-members
• Ability to take initiative and lead work involving many different parties or stakeholders
• Experience with external communications and donor management
• Ability to travel when needed
• US work authorization is required for all WRI US opportunities. We are typically unable to provide visa sponsorship due to US immigration requirements.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in/with Multilateral Development Banks or International Financial Institutions; foreign language skills.

Potential Salary:

$79,100 – $106,750 if based in United States. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

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

Program Overview:

WRI’s Finance Center aims to shift public and private sector finance toward sustainable activities that support a low carbon, climate-resilient, just transition—and away from those that harm people and the environment. We do this by producing evidence-based, actionable research and data tools and by convening coalitions of key stakeholders that can drive action. The Center’s International Financial Institutions team works to facilitate the shift of financial flows toward sustainable activities that align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, promoting a fast, resilient, and just transition to net zero global emissions. The team conducts research, engages with institutional financial and development institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to inform, develop, and promote widespread adoption of sustainable public and private investment strategies.

We leverage WRI’s experience on Paris Alignment, provide tailored analysis and research based on case studies, portfolio analysis and data, and promote upward harmonization of environmental and social standards through a comparative perspective, and encourage ambitious pathways towards reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. We encourage practicing peer-to-peer learning by leveraging our convening power to transition to a low-carbon economy. As we look ahead, the Center is also seeking to expand its work focused on the international financial institutions and their policies, building on existing partnerships and networks, as well as on past research.

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.