This position can be based in WRI London office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

This is a 1 year limited term position.

About the Program:

The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) is a self-governed coalition of organizations and individuals working collaboratively to achieve a shared objective: the urgent transformation of food and land use systems to deliver a better future for people, nature and climate. FOLU supports science-based solutions and helps to build a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities to unlock collective, ambitious action. FOLU’s Growing Better report recommends an integrated reform agenda along ten critical transitions to deliver positive outcomes for environment, health, inclusive development and food security, ensuring food and land use systems support delivery of globally agreed sustainable development, climate and biodiversity goals. FOLU’s light-touch governance and adaptive management have enabled the FOLU community to grow and evolve since FOLU’s inception in 2017. The Coalition’s collective leadership is provided by a Core Partners Group comprised of: The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), EAT, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Systemiq, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), and the World Resources Institute (WRI). Through the Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land Use, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium, FOLU has expert teams and networks in 18 countries, including the European Union. FABLE is a knowledge network that supports countries develop data and modelling infrastructure to promote ambitious, integrated strategies towards sustainable land use and food systems. FOLU country platforms are operating in: China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Colombia, with partner networks in Australia, the UK and the Nordic region. FOLU is coordinated by its Global Secretariat housed at WRI’s London office. Other FOLU partners provide human resources that contribute to the Secretariat, including Systemiq and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to FOLU’s Executive Director in this role you will lead FOLU’s global thought leadership and influencing strategy to accelerate ambitious global action. You will have substantive technical expertise in food and land use systems as well as strong external relationships with key stakeholders across the private sector, financial institutions, policymakers and civil society. Your experience in leading large teams in complex programs will be critical. This unique opportunity involves working with some of the world’s most prominent institutions and individuals in the fields of economics, agriculture, environment, health, and nutrition.

What will you do:

Thought leadership and strategy (25%):

• Responsible for defining the Knowledge Generation & Engagement (KE) team’s impact strategy which describes our theory of change for how to shift behavior of corporates and financial institutions as well as influence national and international policy makers.
• This includes:
  1. Identifying shifts in behavior FOLU seeks to achieve Develop a portfolio of integrated knowledge and engagement workstreams within the KE team designed to achieve those outcomes
  2. Prioritizing engagement activities with key stakeholders necessary to achieve outcomes
• As part of the FOLU leadership team, provide strategic advice to the coalition on FOLU’s overall impact strategy as well as knowledge/thought leadership opportunities
• Provide input to impact strategies of FOLU country teams and strategic partner initiatives

Management (25%):

• Responsible for delivery of KE team activities, including strategic oversight of day-to-day activities and workstreams
• Lead the KE team, comprised of associates from Systemiq, WRI and other coalition partners. 1. Manage team meetings and facilitate communication and learning across the KE team. 2. Conduct performance reviews and ensure professional development of associates
• Ensure delivery in line with KE team budget, including staff resourcing, design agency and external contractor budgets linked to different grants
• Recruit for positions within the KE team
• As part of FOLU’s quality assurance process, provide technical review and sign-off of all KE team knowledge products
• Oversee grant and funder reporting for policy influencing activities

Fundraising (25%):

• Identify opportunities to grow FOLU’s thought leadership and impact, particularly with shifting corporate behavior (including financial institutions) and shaping international policy. Develop concepts for new workstreams, platforms or products working with the KE team, country platforms, strategic partners and potential funders
• Work with FOLU’s fundraising manager to embed high potential opportunities into fundraising proposals and support bid processes

Communications, outreach and external relationship building (25%):

• Build and maintain relationships across FOLU coalition and with external partners across the private sector, civil society, financial institutions and international institutions
• Represent the coalition in high level meetings and at public events to advance FOLU’s objectives

What will you need:

• Education: A completed master in environment studies/science, agriculture/food systems, international development, economics or related area required
• Experience:of which 3 years in a supervisory role
• Knowledge of food and land use systems including nutrition and/or health
• Experience working with qualitative or quantitative research methods, and ability to communicate those skills to colleagues
• Background in writing and overseeing high-quality research products
• Experience developing strategies and solving complex strategic and tactical problems as they arise.
• Demonstrated ability to give constructive feedback and clearly explain the reasoning behind decisions
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with teams of experienced professionals
• Languages: You have proficiency in written and spoken English; additional language skills are a plus

Opportunity summary:

Start date: Upon mutual agreement with the candidate

Type of Contract: fulltime

Length of Contract: 1 year

Potential Salary: The salary range for this position is £84,000 – £105,000 if filled by a candidate located and legally able to work in the UK.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of July 7, 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.