This role is a hybrid requiring a few days per week in office. You are based at the WRI Africa office in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
About the Program:
WRIโs Environmental Democracy Practice is seeking a Governance and Civil Society Support Lead to support two projects in Africa. Standing Together for Environmental Defenders (The STAND Initiative) is a $4.2 million US Department of State funded project supporting grassroots environmental defenders in six countries: Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, and Kenya. The Green Accountability project is a $4.5 million World Bank Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) funded project supporting the ability of civil society to ensure climate finance decision-making is accountable to communities that are most vulnerable and to the public more broadly. Both projects include implementation of a Small Grant Fund targeting civil society organizations in the selected countries.
Job Highlight:
You will help create and implement a Grassroots Environmental Defender (GED) capacity-building program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and support development and release of the Defender Small Grant Fund (DSGF). For the Green Accountability Project, you will work with the Project Manager and other project staff to provide oversight, technical assistance, and facilitate coordination for sub-grant recipients in two francophone African countries. Specific duties include supporting project management and implementation of project-specific activities. You may also serve as the primary point of contact for government engagement in convenings and workshops in the DRC.
You will report to the DRC Country Manager and the STAND and Green Accountability Project Managers.
What will you do:
STAND Initiative (60%):
Support development and implementation of capacity building and training program including help to identify and engage with GEDs, GED networks, and current partners already providing support to GEDs in the DRC including those of varying religion, sex, disability, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and ageSupport the organization and hosting of listening sessions with GEDs to create a demand driven training program that meets the needs of defendersHelp to write plans that outline the needs of defenders and training program design, including socio-political, gender and security context analysis and the specific theme and number of training sessions that will be offeredSupport execution of training program including logistical support, identification of technical training partners, and ensuring the program incorporates appropriate digital, physical safety and security measures and psychosocial support protocolsSupport development and implementation of DSGF including -Work with other project staff and partners to create DRC-specific applications, grant opportunity call and decision-making materialsProvide ongoing GED application and grant recipient support including ongoing technical assistance throughout the entire lifecycle of the grant as neededWork with STAND project staff and partners to provide advice or support to defenders on communication strategy and content Support project management as needed including project grant reporting requirements, monitoring evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities
Green Accountability (40%):
Provide support to developing call for applications in 1-2 francophone countries:Review literature, policy documents and position statements in 1-2 countries to draw out relevant context to frame call for applicationsSupport visibility of the application call by identifying and disseminating to relevant networks and organizations in selected francophone countries.Assist in reviewing and scoring applications (note that this will likely require an โintense effortโ of up to twice the time allocated over a two-week period) for Cameroon or DRCParticipate in discussions with other reviewers to select finalistsProvide technical support and coordination for sub-grantees in 1-2 francophone countriesContribute to political economy/context analysis in collaboration with project staff and sub-granteesJoin regular calls to discuss the secondary grant process and Community of Practice governance and processes.Review sub-grant recipient work plans and provide feedbackReview, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning indicators for sub-recipientsParticipate in training on implementing environmental and social safeguards for grant recipientsServe as national point of contact for the WRI project in the DRC; Participate in virtual community of practice discussions with francophone sub-grant recipientsHelp revise communication products in French or written by sub-recipients.
What will you need:
Education: You have completed a Bachelorโs degree in social science, natural science, environmental or natural resource public policy, international developmentExperience: You have 6+ years of full time relevant experience, including working on issues related to climate governance or policy, environmental defenders or natural resource and environmental governanceExperience with civil society grant making and designing or supporting outreach and capacity building efforts for civil society partnersExperience integrating Gender Equity and Social Inclusion into project workDemonstrated research and qualitative analytical skills including experience summarizing results from existing literatureExperience managing files in Share-point and using MS Office products such as Word, Excel, and Power PointExperience communicating complex concepts in a clear, effective manner consistently across formats (e.g. PowerPoint, Word documents, emails, and videos)Demonstrated ability to develop and manage productive relationships with colleagues and consultants through listening and facilitation skills. Experience bringing people together and working collaboratively whether it is in Miro, virtual meetings, or in person workshops, etc.Experience expanding access to information, public participation, accountability and access to justice in environmental decision making at the local, national, regional, and international level is desirable Languages: You are proficient in spoken and written French and English.
Potential Salary:
Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with cover letter by 21 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 employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.
Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.