This position will be hybrid requiring a few days per week in office. You can be based WRI Europe in The Hague or London. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.
About the Program:
WRIโs Food, Land & Water Program seeks a just transition in the worldโs food, land and water systems to resiliently meet the needs of all people, halt natural ecosystem and biodiversity loss by 2030, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve these global goals, we will work in Europe and in partnership with European organizations to ensure that, Europe plays its full part in this transition.
Job Highlight:
Reporting to the WRI Food, Land, Water Lead, you will be responsible for preparing and then using peer-reviewed evidence to influence decision-making in Brussels as the European Commission plans for the next phase of its work and policy implementation on food, land, and water, including the Common Agricultural Policy. You will also be working closely on behalf of WRI to contribute to the work of the Brussels Systems Hub, a newly created group of five organizations committed to working together in Brussels to drive systems change, including on the issues of food, land, water.
The WRI Food, Land, Water Program seeks a first-rate Europe Policy Lead with specific experience of EU policy development in Europe, coupled with detailed understanding of EU institutions.
What will you do:
Research & Communication - (40%)
- Prepare, research, and write papers and knowledge products drawn from WRIโs Food, Land & Water system transition strategy and previously-published global research; and shape and tailor that research in light of on-the-ground experience, results, research findings, political realities, emerging opportunities (such as GHG accounting and bioenergy), and/or observed challenges within the European context
- Translateโ and communicate existing WRI research into European institutions with a view to shaping their thinking, and providing a conduit in return for European institutional thinking on food, land, water, back into the whole of WRI
Convening and Engagement - (40%):
- Prepare and implement a convening and engagement strategy in Brussels to build and deliver coalitions for change and policy reform around the research priorities and recommendations identified
- Build strong working relationships with peer organizations, and trust across the Brussels-based network of like-minded organizations
- Build and nurture strong working relationships with European Commission officials
- Work with the program team to establish WRI as an important and trusted partner within Europe on the food, land & water systems transition for the decade
- Help the program and WRI Europe to leverage strategic communications to create the political narrative and set the agenda when it comes to the food, land & water system transition in Europe
Fundraising and Strategic Communications - (20%):
- Work with WRI Development and project teams to expand the Europe food, land, water team presence and relationships with a group of philanthropies, governments, partners, and other funding sources
- Increase the public profile of WRIโs work on the food, land, and water systems transition in Europe, as part of a network of local partners and peer organizations in the community
What will you need:
- Education: You have completed a Masterโs degree in agriculture sciences, food systems, the natural sciences, economics, anthropology, or other discipline relevant for the Food, Land & Water systems transition
- Experience: You have 10+ years of full-time relevant work experience on climate and land use issues, with a particular focus on Europe
- Experience of European policy-making and associated processes, ideally in the Commission, or with individual member states (or both)
- Familiarity with systems thinking and work from a systems-based perspective
- Willingness to live and work in either London or the Hague, where WRI has registered offices, but to travel frequently, especially to Brussels
- Record of accomplishment of visionary and strategic thinking
- Entrepreneurial spirit and wide-ranging intellectual curiosity
- Strong presentation skills (ability to communicate clearly and compellingly)
- Experience with \"cross-sectoral\" issues (e.g., food & forests, water & food, land & energy) and strong network of relationships
- Languages: Fluent in English, with other European languages a plus
- Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization
Potential Salary: The salary range is โฌ80,000 to โฌ101,000 if based in the Netherlands and ยฃ65,000 ยฃ82,000 if based in the UK. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of 11 December 2023. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
What we offer:
- A competitive salary
- Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
- The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
- A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
- The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
- Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours.
- Generous leave days that increase with tenure
About Us:
Founded in 1982, 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 to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the worldโs greatest environment and international development challenges and improve peopleโs 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.
Our mission and values:
WRIโs mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earthโs environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.
Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.
Our culture:
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. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in