This position is remote-eligible and only for consideration within the United States where WRI is state registered. 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:

The Data Lab is WRI’s core data innovation and delivery unit. We are a team of over 35 engineers, product managers, and data scientists with deep experience setting data strategy, doing quantitative research, and building data tools and products. We work across WRI’s programs, centers, and international offices to use advances in data and technology to help our community improve lives, protect nature, and ensure just transitions. Data of all kinds sits at the heart of how WRI achieves impact in the world, and our world-class research is used by governments, policymakers, NGOs and local communities around the world to improve lives, protect nature, and ensure just transitions.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Data Infrastructure Product Manager.

In this role, you will lead the effort in curating the Open Data Portal (ODP) and advocating for its usage across the organization.

You will ensure the creation and implementation of WRI’s data governance policies and work with Data Stewards across the organization to maintain a high-quality data product. Members of the Data Lab will support you across its product, engineering and data science functions.

What will you do:

Dataset curation and maintenance (40% time):

• Collaborate with data scientists, researchers, and other stakeholders from across the organization to identify datasets for inclusion in the ODP
• Support data owners across the organization in updating their datasets over time
• Coordinate with engineering to ensure that data systems and infrastructure meet the needs of stakeholders
• Ensure ODP remains organized and user-friendly
• Enforce metadata standards across the ODP

Data governance (40% time):

• Develop and implement data governance policies and standards, ensuring that data is collected, stored, and managed in compliance with industry best practices and regulatory requirements
• Define and maintain data quality standards and provide data validation best practices to help maintain the integrity of source data
• Maintain records of data licenses for WRI datasets
• Audit data governance policy compliance through regular internal data reviews

User support and training (20% time):

• Develop and deliver training programs to educate data scientists, researchers, and other staff members on data management best practices, standards, and compliance requirements
• Provide guidance on data collection, preprocessing, and analysis methodologies
• Report product feedback to Data Infrastructure Product Manager for future product improvements

What will you need:

A combination of the following will make you a strong candidate. Not all skills are required, and you are encouraged to apply even if you only have a subset of these skills.

• Education: You have a completed Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (Computer Science, International Development, Environmental Science, etc.)
• Experience: You have a minimum of 5 years’ full-time relevant experience managing data. Specific experience with geospatial data a plus
• Experience establish and enforcing data governance policies and standards
• Familiar with modern, high-tech database systems
• Experience with CKAN is a plus. Experience analyzing, interpreting, and organizing large amounts of data; and experience working with data analysts, data scientists and researchers.
• Experience translating complex problems and in non-technical terms
• Experience working with people of varying technical skills.
• Experience managing competing priorities and work towards meeting multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience designing and delivering training programs for data scientists and other staff members on data management best practices.
• Languages: Verbal and written English proficiency. Other language skills desirable
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary range is between 101,000 and 108,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. 

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of November 10, 2023. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• 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 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.