Research Analyst II, Gender and Social Equity

Job Summary:

In this role in the Gender Equity Practice within the Equity Center at WRI, you will support the team with the implementation of the gender and social equity strategy for the institute. Your tasks may include authoring knowledge products, peer-reviewing publications, conducting literature reviews, preparing briefers, assisting with outreach, communication, and training, and providing support to the gender and social equity community of practice.

A significant portion of your time will be spent in support of research projects focused on gender and social equity, as well as identifying opportunities to integrate GSE in and providing technical assistance to all technical programs as needed. The research projects may change over time, but currently are focused on gender and climate change adaptation. This work will involve conducting social analyses and literature reviews. This information will inform the design of projects, be incorporated into research, publications, blogs, and commentary, and for awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives.

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

Job Responsibilities:

Research & Knowledge (80% of time):

• Contributing to research by providing literature reviews, specifically identifying literature on relevant gender issues, and qualitative or quantitative analysis
• Co-authoring knowledge products (e.g. reports, briefs, data products)
• Authoring blogs and other communication documents, incorporating attention to relevant gender issues
• Presenting at internal and external meetings, workshops and conferences
• Advising WRI technical teams on GSE integration – first-line reviews to identify entry points and support needs
• Reviewing a minimum of 1 knowledge product written by other WRI researchers yearly
• Contributing to new project development (concepts and proposals), providing background information and preparing logical frameworks; coordinating the submission of input from multiple sources; streamlining revisions

Administrative (20% of time)

• Organizing internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences and other dissemination activities
• Liaising with external partners and WRI colleagues across programs and centers in the DC office as well as the International Offices

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in social science, gender and/or development studies, economics or similar, with a focus on the environment; relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted
• Minimum 2 years of relevant full-time work experience
• A successful candidate will demonstrate excellent qualitative and/or quantitative research and writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to conduct gender and social analyses within environment-related sectors
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office and internet research
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with teams of individuals and colleagues
• Flexibility to travel
• US work authorization is required for this position

Desired Qualifications:

• Enjoys working in a fast-paced, results-oriented non-profit environment

Potential Salary:

$53,000 – $68,000. 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 Center for Equitable Development (Equity Center) works with civil society, governments, development agencies, businesses, and other institutions to improve decision-making processes and legal frameworks. Our goal is to empower people and strengthen institutions to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable decision-making. WRI’s Gender Equity Practice within the Equity Center, sets out an ambitious vision that holistic and integrated approaches to delivering on the SDGs become the norm, with social inclusion, gender equity and environmental sustainability at their core. The image of this vision is that historically marginalized people – including women, indigenous peoples, poor people – are given the space and means to actively participate in decision-making processes on issues that impact their lives, e.g. SDG implementation and management of natural resources. The Gender Equity Practice is laying the foundation of capacity across the institute to meet the five-year objective of being a thought leader, inspiring and influencing the environment community to marry human well-being and environment outcomes.

Advancing social inclusion and equity as a means of reducing poverty is the overarching goal of this Practice. It is expected that by broadening engagement of women and marginalized people in natural resource management and decision-making, their needs for access to those resources and the benefits derived therefrom, such as improved livelihood opportunities, will be improved, leading to a reduction in poverty and social disparity and discord. Each Program and Center within WRI has aligned their strategic plans to the aim of contributing to the advancement of human well-being. Through a Community of Practice, the Gender Equity Practice engages experts from across the institute with knowledge and experience on various aspects of social inclusion and human well-being, including social scientists and economists, to develop, strengthen and expand attention to human well-being across WRI’s portfolio of programs. The Initiative aims to facilitate achievement of the following high-level outcomes over the next five years: Outcome 1: By 2022 internal mechanisms and capacities strengthened leading to policies and practices that drive social inclusion and equity Outcome 2: By 2022 four strategic initiatives and programs achieve outcomes related to social inclusion and equity Outcome 3: By 2022 WRI Research and learning on social inclusion and equity issues is incorporated into all relevant publications and knowledge platforms Outcome 4: By 2022 WRI research and tools used to influence global action for socially inclusive and equitable approaches to environmental challenges.

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.