Program Manager, Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE)

Job Summary:

In this role, you will be responsible for programmatic management, including knowledge, engagement, coordination, stakeholder management, monitoring, and reporting, for one or more focal areas at PACE. PACE’s current focal areas are electronics, capital equipment, plastics, textiles, and food. You will work closely with PACE Program Director, other Program Managers, and representatives of PACE Leaders to develop the programs, and manage their day-to-day operation. You will build and keep an up-to-date overview of the status and progress in the focal area(s) you are responsible for.

This position is a 12-month limited-term role, with the possibility of extension based on funding.

You will be expected to work in WRI’s office in The Hague on a regular basis, depending on COVID-19 rules and policies.

Job Responsibilities:

Main areas of responsibility for the Program Manager will include the following:

• Work with the PACE Program Director, other Program Managers, and representatives of PACE Leaders to design the programs
• Content leadership in the focal area(s) you are responsible of
• Build knowledge with both breadth and depth in various aspects (such as policy, business models, technology,
• Environmental and socio-economic impact) related to circularity in the focal area(s)
• Keep track of major developments in the field
• Identify and engage leaders from public, private, and civil society sectors who are ambitious and/or critical for the transition. Manage relations and facilitate collaborations
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the focal area program(s)
• Help them grow to scale, prioritize actions, lay connections, unlock funding, and bring actions and decisions to the Board, partners, and other relevant organizations
• Track and report progress on the focal area program(s), including projects linked to the program(s)
• Capture learnings from the focal area program(s)
• Share learnings for dissemination and communication, as well as for continuous improvement of the programs
• Lead, provide support to, and participate in relevant internal and external meetings and events

Job Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in sustainable development, business management, environmental science, political science, or other relevant fields (or a Bachelor’s degree and 2 additional years of experience)
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, preferably in an international environment.
• Demonstrated capability in managing programs or complex projects
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience and skills in stakeholder engagement and relation management
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Demonstrated capability of capturing essence from a large amount of complex information in limited time
• Capable of learning quickly and independent thinking. Interested and curious to learn
• Familiarity with circular economy concepts and thinking is a plus
• Highly responsible, self-motivated, with an ability to work in an ambitious and fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a small team
• Organized and efficient
• Flexible and adaptable
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally if needed (max. 25% of time)

Preferred 

• Knowledge and work experience in one or more of the focal area value chains 
• Experience in setting up projects, including developing successful proposals

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with cover letter. Resume and cover letter must be submitted in English to be considered. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. 

Program Overview:

Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) is the global collaboration platform for key public and private decision makers to share vision, promulgate best practices, and scale circular economy together. Over 100 Government, NGO, Think Tank, and Company Leaders across continents and sectors have joined PACE’s Leadership Group so far. PACE Leaders have set the direction with a clear Action Agenda in five Focal Areas (electronics, plastics, textiles, food, and capital equipment), based on the best available evidence. New leaders in science and metrics have been stepping up to work with government and industry partners. PACE was created in 2018 by the World Economic Forum and is now hosted by the World Resources Institute. PACE is facilitated by a full-time team in The Hague, Netherlands.

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.