Nature Based Solutions & Climate Private Sector Lead

Job Summary

In this role, you will develop, update and promote implementation of the Institute’s position at the intersection of nature and climate in the private sector. Consistent with the strategy of the Institute, your role will be to protect natural resources, and climate, to support an equitable society. In particular you will help optimize corporate investment in, and action on, natural solutions and climate with a focus on where they have the potential to compromise or enhance the other. You will work closely with experts from across WRI, and be the primary liaison point in the Institute with businesses across all relevant sectors, with WRI’s relevant tools and projects and with external experts and business for a that are grappling with these issues.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based at WRI’s office in Washington, DC once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities

• Engage with companies and business to understand and synthesize the varying approaches to Nature Based Solutions and climate action employed by the private sector to achieve climate and nature goals and business strategy
• Facilitate consensus around a coherent WRI position on the role of Nature Based Solutions and climate action in the private sector to achieve climate and nature goals, coordinating across the relevant WRI centers, programs and international offices
• Through engagement and advocacy with private sector entities build support for and communicate WRI position
• Coordinate across WRI to ensure that the proposed approach is reflected well in the relevant tools and approaches WRI leads or contributes to that will optimize the adoption of WRI’s approach, including through close coordination with the Science Based Targets initiative, the corporate component of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol
• Conduct and oversee policy-relevant research, analysis, and writing that support this approach and that help fill gaps identified in how various businesses use and track targets and policy influence as a business strategy
• Serve as primary point of contact on these topics for the Center for Sustainable Business
• Support program led fundraising to support this work, in full coordination with the FFWO and Climate programs and Development Center colleagues
• Participate in internal and external peer review processes for publications and papers
• Liaise with and develop collaborations with external partners, including research institutes, non-profit organizations, businesses, and government agencies
• Communicate WRI research and analysis with external audiences, and represent WRI at conferences, workshops and other events

Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD (preferred) in a relevant field
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant, full time work experience related to the implementation of sustainability in the private sector with a minimum of 3 years of experience in a leadership capacity
• Demonstrated experience in building consensus around complex and controversial issues
• Effectively communicate insights from technical research audiences at the Chief sustainability officer and non technical c-suite level, both verbally and in writing
• Record of engagement in climate and nature based solutions, with knowledge and expertise on corporate target setting a plus
• Candidate must be self-motivated and entrepreneurial thinker with an ability to identify new opportunities while juggling multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines
• Strong research, writing and oral presentation skills are essential
• US work authorization needed for this position

How to Apply 

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

Potential Salary: $96,000 – $130,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. 

Program Overview

The Center for Sustainable Business (CSB) mobilizes corporations and investors to transform business models so society can thrive within planetary boundaries. We envisage a world where companies’ practices, political engagement, and products are science-aligned and socially equitable. Our outputs are often the bedrock of sustainability targets, resource monitoring and management, and ambition of the world’s largest companies. Center for Sustainable Business experts join peers and partners to drive solutions that accelerate the private sector’s transition to inclusive, sustainable models that go from doing better to doing enough across all WRI’s programmatic areas. We measure how high to raise the bar and encourage transformation from business as usual.

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.