In this role, you will be an integral member of the core Prize team (see description below), supporting all aspects of the Prize, including major Prize milestones throughout the award cycle, and related learning and engagement activities. Support to Prize milestones includes supporting outreach to drive submissions to the Prize, liaison with applicants, the Advisory Council and other Prize stakeholders, supporting the multi-round and multi-criteria evaluation process, and announcements of finalists and winners, including supporting the flagship award ceremony and learning roundtable.
This is a hybrid role that requires a dynamic and versatile individual with interest in inclusive urban development and looking to develop a range of skills – including, but not limited to, knowledge management, learning, communications and engagement skills. You will report to the Global Lead for the Prize for Cities and work closely with the WRI Ross Center’s communications and Strategy and Partnerships teams.
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
Support all aspects of the Prize, and in particular learning, evaluation, engagement and project management activities
Support the evaluation process from start to finish including data collection, management, and processing and liaising with evaluation team, producing graphical summaries of results, coordinating site visits, briefing document for jury, and jury deliberation
Help manage the Prize email inbox, submission portal and website, maintain robust filing systems to manage large and diverse sets of information
Support prize lead by responding to inquiries, fielding requests, organizing meetings, and tracking progress on towards key performance indicators
Help build a community of change makers, working closely with the Global Lead, and the Cities’ Communications and Strategy and Partnerships teams
Support planning for and implementation of engagement events (e.g., launch event awards ceremony, learning roundtable)
Liaise and coordinate with various external partners including high-profile individuals, urban thought leaders, and practitioners
Conduct background research, literature reviews, qualitative or quantitative analysis
Develop written materials for website, brochures, newsletters, handouts, PowerPoints, talking points, and background documents
Write blogs and prepare other communications materials for dissemination of Prize-related content (finalist profiles, social media campaigns, jury package, etc.), presentations and talking points, and coordinating events
Coordinate closely between teams, including Prize, Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE), Cities’ communications and Strategy and Partnerships teams on stakeholder engagement and communications activities
Work with team to develop creative solutions to unexpected challenges during the prize cycle
As a core member of the team, contribute to strategy development and tracking, participate in weekly team meetings and provide updates on key activities
Job Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in media, sustainable development, international studies, environmental science, public policy/administration, urban planning, economics, geography, political science, history, or related
Minimum 1 year full time work experience required
Experience supporting activities related to research and engagement, e.g., at university departments, think tanks, or other international organizations
Familiarity with research processes and methods
Strong writing, database management, and proofreading skills
Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office and internet research, including a range of presentation and project management tools
Demonstrated creativity, resourcefulness and ability to take initiative
Detail-oriented, organized and able to juggle multiple priorities and problem-solve
Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in key issues in urban development, planning, and urban sustainability
Highly motivated, proactive, and collaborative work style
Excellent inter-personal communication skills, including the ability to work well in a team and with international colleagues
Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team, including actively contributing to team discussions
Adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and able to manage multiple deadlines and deliver high quality work products
Strong English written and verbal communications skills
Additional language skills are a plus, especially in languages of WRI offices- Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Chinese, French, or Hindi
US work authorization required for this position
Potential Salary:
$46,000 – $60,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
How to Apply:
Cover letter and CV are required. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
Program Overview
The WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities (www.prizeforcities.org) (‘the Prize’) is a global competition supported by Stephen M. Ross to celebrate transformative projects that have ignited citywide change. The inaugural 2018-2019 Prize was awarded in April 2019 following a multi-round evaluation by WRI’s experts and deliberation by a Jury of high-profile leaders in urban affairs. Our vision for the Prize is that it becomes the premier urban award for celebrating, learning, and spreading big ideas about how cities can change for the better. Through the Prize and related activities, we hope to grow a global network of urban change-makers.
The decisions that national leaders, local officials, developers, and planners make today will determine how billions of people in urban centers will thrive over the next century. Already, half the global population resides in cities. That figure is set to increase to 70% by 2050. Traditional models of city development can lock us into congestion, sprawl, and inefficient resource use. However, compact, connected, and efficient growth can help ensure more competitive cities, and provide a better quality of life for citizens. The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities works to ensure cities drive economic opportunity for all while sustaining natural resources. We use technical expertise, cutting-edge research, and on-the-ground partnerships to design solutions that enable sustainable city growth. WRI Ross Center builds on WRI’s global and local experience in urban planning and mobility and uses proven solutions and action-oriented tools to increase building and energy efficiency, improve accessibility and livability, encourage effective governance and make the fast-growing urban environment more resilient to new challenges. Working across our network, we develop and support the implementation of research-based solutions in sustainable mobility, urban development, as well as urban efficiency & climate that reduce pollution, improve health, and create safe, accessible public spaces for all people to thrive. The program focuses on a deep cross-sector approach in selected megacities and targeted assistance to hundreds of other urban areas, bringing economic, environmental and social benefits to people in cities around the globe.
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.
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