Research Analyst & Program Specialist

Job Summary

This combined role includes time as a Research Analyst (50%) for the Sustainability Initiative in the operations department, and the other half as a Program Specialist (50%) with the Office of Research, Data and Innovation (RDI). For the Sustainability Initiative, you will lead the collection, cleaning, and analysis of data for WRI’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventory, and support the creation of original research (e.g. reports, blog posts, working papers, datasets) sharing best practices in sustainability management. For RDI, you will oversee the Vice President for RDI’s schedule, book travel and draft itineraries, manage expense reports, and prepare external and internal meetings. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to special projects as needed related to the RDI department. You must have strong analytical and research skills. We require outstanding organizational, communication and interpersonal skills necessary to perform in a high-volume environment. You must be self-motivated, results-oriented, have strong attention to detail, and have steadfast commitment to environment and development issues to contribute meaningfully to advancing our mission.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, this position can be based out of any of the WRI offices worldwide once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities

Research Analyst for Sustainability Initiative (50%):

• Contribute to the creation of strategy and annual planning documents for the Sustainability Initiative, including budgets, GHG data and analysis, and special project planning
• Contribute original research, writing, and data analysis for publications or publication components, such as literature reviews, case studies, and/or qualitative or quantitative data from high quality sources
• Manage the ongoing maintenance, data collection, calculation and methodology updates, and dissemination of internal and external sustainability dashboards and GHG inventory data with key internal stakeholders in WRI international offices
• Develop and implement creative staff engagement projects, leveraging staff inputs and cutting-edge research on behavioral science
• Assist in liaising with external partners and WRI colleagues across programs and international offices to collect data
• Facilitate conversations with external organizations, partners, stakeholders to exchange sustainability knowledge and best practices, collaborate on multi-organization projects
• Peer review publications by other WRI authors

Program Specialist for Research, Data and Innovation (50%):

• Coordinate and manage the Vice President for RDI’s schedule, travel, expenses, timesheet; organize agendas and facilitate day-to-day meetings with WRI staff and external guests
• Attend meetings held by the Vice President as assigned to record and track decisions and actions
• Prepare presentations and collect background materials for meetings and conferences, including travel and logistical support
• Organize annual retreat for the international Research, Data, and Innovation team, including developing the agenda, coordinating and organizing sessions, and making travel arrangements
• Track RDI milestones for annual planning process
• Organize the monthly RDI staff meeting, collecting agenda items, organizing speakers, and ensuring follow-up on action items
• Support RDI special initiatives (e.g. Research Taskforce, annual research survey, Human Subjects Protection policies, WRI’s Got Talent) and lead specific components of these as needed

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Two+ years of relevant full-time work experience is required
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative research and data skills, including survey design
• Superb attention to detail and high-level of competence with data
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and to handle multiple assignments with little supervision
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to communicate ideas and expectations in the context of large and diverse teams of stakeholders
• Ability to navigate varying opinions and reduce conflict, while creating a positive working environment
• Friendly, positive demeanor, sense of humor, and determined attitude
• Enthusiasm for working with staff and guests at all levels
• Demonstrated passion for WRI’s mission
• Quick to learn and adapt to new tools and software
• Fluency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint; virtual communications tools like Zoom and Teams 
• US work authorization is required. WRI is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

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

Potential Salary: $53,000 – $68,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors

Program Overview
The Sustainability Initiative at WRI seeks to align the Institution’s operations with its mission. Using research and expertise from various WRI programs and centers, we are committed to continually improving WRI’s sustainability performance, driven by data and performance metrics. Since 2010, the Initiative has helped WRI achieve aggressive carbon reduction goals with a portfolio of projects ranging from internal carbon pricing, zero waste, sustainable commute and mobility, circular economy, sustainable procurement, food, healthy buildings, energy efficiency, and renewable energy purchasing.

The Office of Research, Data and Innovation (RDI) strives to conduct high quality research that informs target audiences and helps achieve concrete outcomes in support of our mission. WRI is one of the few nongovernmental organizations with central staff dedicated to creating a strong learning culture and ensuring research excellence across programs and international offices. The RDI team oversees a rigorous quality assurance process for all knowledge products bearing the WRI logo and supports over 400 researchers across the Institute in their research projects, from proposal writing to polishing a final draft.

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.