This position will be based in Republic of Congo. 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:

WRI’s Republic of Congo Program Office seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability of land-use decision-making by working with government and other institutional partners to develop forest and natural resource information management policies, programs, and systems. Initially focused on forests and land-use planning, and urban forestry, the office has recently been expanding into broader issues in line with WRI strategies in Africa. For this purpose, we are looking for a country manager.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the WRI-Africa Deputy Regional Director, you will manage WRI’s activities in Republic of Congo with the ambition to help design and roll out country transition roadmap, expanding from current focus on land use planning, forest monitoring, and sustainability and legal compliance in the forest and Agriculture sectors. You will drive programmatic strategy in country, working with the Congo Basin Strategy and Engagement Lead and teams in Congo and across Africa. Major responsibilities will include supervision of program implementation, project management, staff management, fundraising, and thought leadership.

What will you do:

Program and Partner Management (50%):

• Lead delivery of all WRI programmatic activities in the Republic of Congo with a primary focus on land use planning and forest monitoring
• Develop new programs and partnerships in the Republic of Congo aligned with the WRI Africa strategy
• Oversee planning, monitoring project deliverables, priority-setting, and ensuring high-quality, high-impact deliverables across program interventions in the Republic of Congo
• Work with the Operations team to ensure compliance with WRI policies and procedures and support efficient program delivery
• Monitor Budget Performance, expenses and revenue
• Oversee a team of technical and support staff located in the Republic of Congo and effectively work across the WRI matrix including with WRI’s Regional office for Africa

Thought leadership and Strategy (25%):

• Set the direction for WRI in the Republic of Congo, including definition of priority themes at country and regional levels, definition of research agendas, and development of new programs in line with country or regional needs
• Ensure that WRI’s program in the Republic of Congo supports achievement of WRI’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan
• Contribute to internal WRI strategic planning in relation to development of programs in Africa

Communications and Fundraising (25%):

• Lead on fundraising to support WRI’s land use planning and forest work in the Republic of Congo
• Actively develop and maintain relationships with local partners including government agencies, civil society, research institutions, and NGOs
• Identify and cultivate new donors to expand the funding base
• Engage with donors, government officials and other partners to communicate WRI’s work and collaborate on strategy
• Serve as the spokesperson for WRI in the Republic of Congo and ensure compelling and consistent messaging from our work

What will you need:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in geography, social and/or environmental science, natural Resource Management
• Experience: You have 7+ years of relevant experience working in a donor-funded development program context
• Experience in the forest/natural resource sector in Central Africa and in the Republic of Congo in particular (e.g., land use planning law and policies, forest policies and laws, Forest Management and law enforcement practices, governance and institutional context, forest and land tenure regimes, agriculture and Biodiversity conservation)
• Experience engaging government agencies around forest and land use management challenges
• Experience cultivating and managing relationships with donors and external partners, across private, public and NGO sectors
• Experience managing a high performing team and delivering outcomes
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of time
• Strong command of French language. Medium speaking level in English
• Existing work authorization for the Republic of Congo. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of September 6, 2023. You mustapply 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 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.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s 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, 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.