Country Engagement Specialist, NDC Partnership

Job Summary:

In this role, you will support the Country Engagement Team within the NDC Partnership Support Unit. As part of the team, you will support strategy development relating to the Partnership’s country engagement work and lead the Partnership’s country engagement work in several countries. Your job will be conducted in accordance with the NDC Partnership Work Program 2021-2025 and its M&E Framework, annual work plans, Country Engagement Strategy, Gender Strategy and Youth Engagement Plan.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you can be based in either our office in Washington, DC, United States or UNFCCC’s office in Bonn, Germany, depending on work authorization once restrictions are lifted.”

Job Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the NDC Partnership Support Unit Country Engagement Director, you will lead the following tasks:

Research, analysis, and ad hoc support concerning global strategy (50%):

• Support and draft proposals for the development of NDC Partnership-wide strategy, including in the areas of climate finance and climate security
• Analyze policy developments relevant to the NDC Partnership’s global work and synthesize key information to produce policy briefs
• Conduct research and analysis, and draft materials to support the establishment and strengthening of strategic partnerships and advocacy activities with relevant entities, coalitions, and platforms, including within the UN system
• Prepare, as needed, presentations, talking points, public statements, briefing notes, concept notes, reports, correspondence, and other materials to support the NDC Partnership’s strategy development, partner outreach, and public-facing activities
• Provide other support to the Country Engagement Director and other members of the Management Team, as needed

Country engagement (50%):

• Develop a strategy for engaging with the countries under your portfolio. This includes target setting, action planning, and performance tracking, including designing tools, guidance documents, and training materials
• Exchange regularly with NDC Partnership focal points, other government officials, implementing partners, and other key partners concerning work planned in those countries
• Organize meetings and workshops (implementation plan consultations, review and assessment meetings, formal launches, etc.) related to the NDC Partnership supported work in the country
• Facilitate written communication between the NDC Partnership support unit, government officials, members of the Partnership and other stakeholders (i.e., circulation of country requests for support, consolidated partner responses, request to participate in events, etc.)
• Conduct desk review and analysis to support NDC Partnership engagement and planning of activities at the country- or region-level, as needed
• Represent the NDC Partnership in external meetings and workshops contributing to country mission planning, and provide innovative ideas, strategies, and input with minimal supervision
• Identify and draft stories and other communication materials related to country work, as requested
• Support efforts to strategically link NDC Partnership knowledge products with in-country engagement efforts
• Support, or even lead under direction, exchanges directed to resource mobilization from NDC Partnership members and country needs
• Gather country information and draft content as it relates to specific requests from the NDC Partnership Support Unit or NDC Partnership members and the NDC partnership activities in each country

Job Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in climate change (management, science, policy, or economics), or a master’s in public policy, economics, finance, or a related field, with a concentration on environment/climate change
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in climate change, development, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years demonstrable experience in international cooperation and/or project management related matters. This should include experience dealing with governments, bilateral and/or multilateral organizations, private sector and/or civil society actors
• Good knowledge of the Paris Agreement and its architecture as well as the current status of climate change negotiations. Similarly, familiarity with international climate policy, international cooperation in the field of climate, environment, or energy policy is expected
• High level of organization, flexibility, ability to work in a team, to work well under pressure and successfully manage multiple deadlines and competing demands
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills in English, French/Spanish language skills an asset
• Commitment to the NDC Partnership’s mission and values
• Experience in or working with developing countries is strongly preferred

Potential Salary:

$59,600 – $77,500 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:

Following the landmark Paris Agreement, countries are implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for climate action. The NDC Partnership is a coalition of countries and international institutions working together to ensure countries receive the technical assistance and financial support they need to achieve ambitious climate and sustainable development targets as fast and effectively as possible. The Partnership aims to increase alignment, coordination, and access to resources to link needs to solutions. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building – We support governments in defining the processes, policies, and plans required to deliver mitigation and adaptation goals, alongside other development objectives.

Knowledge and Information Sharing – We enable countries to learn from and support each other, turning local know-how into global action through knowledge tools, case studies, peer-to-peer exchanges, and other knowledge products. Access to Finance – We facilitate countries in aligning their NDC goals with financial resources. We use a country-driven approach that helps governments set priorities and connect them to available resources across our membership. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is comprised of around 50 staff, jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute in Washington, DC, and the UNFCCC in Bonn, Germany.

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.