Engagement Coordinator, Cities

Job Summary

In this role, you will support the Center’s Urban Efficiency & Climate team on the Zero Carbon Buildings Accelerator project by focusing on program support, engagement, communications and research in support of the Building Efficiency Accelerator partnership, zero-carbon buildings and districts, and national-subnational alignment in the building sector in support of global climate goals.

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

Job Responsibilities

Program & Engagement Support (50% of time)

Liases with, and track team communication with, external partners and WRI colleagues across programs and countries. This includes developing and carrying out protocols and templates that support the team to have consistent, high-quality engagement with partners ranging from daily points of contact to political, city, and industry leaders

Assists in supporting partner city and state leaders in the development & implementation of their sustainable building actions

Works to identify and tell key stories highlighting city leadership and progress

Analyzes and generates content from partner feedback, past performance and lessons learned

Organizes periodic high-level internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences, webinars, and other dissemination activities

Collaborates with our international offices and partners to enhance online tools for cross-network dissemination of tools and lessons-learned

Carries out occasional administrative tasks, such as handling documentation and materials

Communications (30% of time)

Leads or supports outreach work, such as updating web content, newsletters and informational materials on projects of the Buildings Initiative

Authors/co-authors blogs on WRI’s work and global trends in sustainable buildings

Prepares PowerPoints and other materials for engagement and outreach activities

Research & Knowledge (20% of time)

Prepares literature reviews and qualitative or quantitative analysis and supports the review process for team publications

Co-authors occasional knowledge products (e.g. reports, briefs, data products) on the implementation of zero-carbon buildings and sustainable infrastructure in cities

Conducts broad scoping research in support of team engagements and proposals and/or conducting partner survey research

Presents at internal/external meetings

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, energy or natural resource policy, political science, finance/economics, or related field

Minimum 1 year of relevant full time experience needed

Familiarity with energy efficiency technologies and policies and/or environmental project management

Well-organized and efficient

Strong attention to detail

Flexible and self-motivated

Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with teams of individuals and colleagues around the world

Excellent qualitative and/or quantitative research and writing skills.

Preferred qualifications:
Experience providing program/project coordination and/or outreach and engagement support in an international or multicultural context

At least two years’ full-time work experience in a related field. Proficiency in Spanish and/or Turkish

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

Program Overview

The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities aims to develop and scale solutions for smart urban growth. It helps cities in developing countries, at risk of becoming unsustainable hubs of intense resource consumption and concentrated poverty, into more accessible, healthy, equitable, and environmentally-friendly urban settlements. The Center integrates expertise in urban planning, transport, climate & energy, water, and governance to provide holistic solutions that cut across sector boundaries, and it is now expanding to include activities to improve the performance of the built environment. The Center aspires over several years to become a leading source of technical expertise, urban performance and diagnostic tools, and convening power among key stakeholders, to advance the vision of sustainable cities. The Center currently includes around 200 staff in six countries, with an annual budget of approximately $30 million. The Center’s Buildings Initiative aims to provide information and analysis of energy efficiency and related policies and practices and to catalyze action in cities and national governments in support of locally relevant goals on efficient and zero-carbon buildings. It collaborates with global and local partners including nonprofit organizations, universities and representatives of the private sector to produce analysis and to convene leaders to support local expansion of green building markets, building energy upgrades, and sustainable finance in key markets.

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.