Director, Global Presence & National Action

Leadership Worldwide

Apply

This is a hybrid position that requires 8 days/month in the office. You can be based in any WRI Country Office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission, as WRI is unable to sponsor visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:
 
The Director for Global Presence and National Action will be a strategic partner to the Managing Director for Global Presence and National Action (MD GPNA). The office for the MD GPNA is responsible for over 1000 WRI colleagues and the delivery of Country Transitions – one of the 5 shifts in WRIs ambitious strategy for People Nature and Climate. The Director will work with the Country and Program Directors ensure our country strategies are designed and delivered to support the quality research and on-the-ground collective action needed for just transition in every country WRI is active. WRI has an institutional presence in 11 Country Offices in Brasil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, México, the United States, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda and 2 Regional Offices in Africa and Europe. WRI also has projects in more than other 30 countries around the world. The Office of the MD GPNA sits within WRI’s Executive Office. 

Job Highlight:

You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work. WRI’s 2023-27 strategy sets a new level of ambition for capacity to deliver change in priority countries, including scaling programs led by our Country Office teams and scaling programming among multiple countries (e.g., on trade and finance). One part of this strategy is significantly increasing flexible funding for County Offices and their joint efforts. Reporting to the MD GPNA, the Director will work with WRI’s Regional Directors and Country Directors to (1) enhance WRI’s strategies, programs, core capabilities across WRI’s 11 Country Offices and 2 Regional Offices in line with WRI’s 2023-27 strategy, (2) oversee the evolution of WRI’s Global Network of Regional & Country Offices, and (3) facilitating a direct and indirect team raising funds and delivering programs that are co-led collaborations between multiple WRI Regional & Country Offices. As WRI’s Global Network grows and the GPNA function evolves, the Director will take on additional staff and responsibilities. 

What will you do:

Global Footprint Management & Development (35%):
 
  • Lead processes evaluating the opening, evolving delivery model, and closing of WRI’s Regional & Country Offices aligned to WRI’s Global Presence Framework, including managing decision-making processes through the Global Executive Team, CEO, and Global Board 
  • Advise Regional & Country Office Directors on critical and science-based processes that help their Regional or Country Office build their capacity to achieve greater effectiveness and impact by developing, improving, and reinforcing strategies, structures, and processes to deliver country transitions  
  • Collaborate with the Global Directors across WRI’s Global Core Functions (Governance, Development, PMEL, Managing for Results, Data Lab, Finance, Operations (including IT), and People) to understand and address issues between Regional & Country Office strategies and WRI Global strategies 
  • Engage external partners and experts to inform, enhance, and promote WRI’s approach to organizational development for Regional & Country Offices  
Network Relationships & Collaboration for Country Transitions (25%):
 
  • Lead process to establish strong country transition strategies by Regional & Country Offices that reflect alignment to WRI’s Strategy and Results Framework 
  • Collaborate with the MD Programs and Global Program Directors (Climate/Economics/Finance, FLW, Energy, Cities, Oceans, and Governance) to enhance WRI’s approach to “country transitions”, including political economy analysis and understanding the interconnected relationship between Regional & Country Office domestic programs (e.g., in trade and finance) 
  • Collaborate with the MD Strategy, Learning, and Results to develop and manage tools and processes for Regional & Country Office Directors to translate technical “country transition” approaches into Regional & Country Office strategies that drive in-country priorities as well as bilateral, multilateral, and global priorities and impact 
  • Proactively engage external partners and experts to inform, enhance, and promote WRI’s approach to “country transitions” and Regional & Country Office Strategies 
  • Proactively engage in external and internal learning on historic and evolutions in geopolitics (specific related to WRI’s Global Impacts in People, Nature, and Climate) can or should inform WRI’s Global Strategy and Regional & Country Office Strategies 
  • Lead South to South collaboration efforts among WRI country offices
  • Support the MD GPNA in resolving issues or managing tensions that arises from new program approaches 
Fundraising & Program Management (20%):
 
  • In collaboration with EVP Governance & Development and Regional & Country Office Directors, develop and oversee approach to cross-WRI coordination and management of one or more projects dedicated delivered by multiple WRI Regional or Country Offices to ensure alignment to WRI’s Strategic Plan and Results Framework and delivery of the programs and projects 
  • In collaboration with the EVP Governance & Development and MD Programs, advise Regional & Country Office Directors on government, philanthropic, and individual fundraising strategies and tactics 
  • In collaboration with WRI’s Global Development team and Regional & Country Office Directors, engage with potential and current donors to manage relationships and successful delivery 
  • Conduct donor and project visits to assess the status of project activities or to participate in technical or evaluation work in the Regional & Country Offices 
  • Confer with WRI’s Global Program Directors and Regional and Country Directors on project direction and strategy to make decisive and timely decisions that positively impact project outcomes  
Leadership (20%):
 
  • Work alongside the MD GPNA on strategies and priorities to support the recruitment, retention, and growth of leadership across WRI’s Global Network 
  • Advise and support the MD GPNA on bilateral priorities, monthly meetings, and annual workshops with Regional and Country Directors to ensure continual improvement across in WRI’s Global Programs and Functions as well as WRI’s Global Network 
  • Align with the MD GPNA, collaborate on and champion decisions and solutions made that align priorities across WRI’s Global Network, including through membership in WRI’s Global Management Team, at least one global committees (e.g., Impact Committee Operations Committee), and action-oriented groups related to the committees (e.g., End-to-End Process or Future Operation Model) 
  • Mentor and encourage next-level WRI staff who are leading critical elements of WRI’s strategy on “country transitions” and who exhibit the potential and desire to grow in leadership within WRI’s Global Network. • Support and advise the MD GPNA on WRI’s Global organizational development, including through global bodies (e.g., its Global Board of Directors, Council of Board Chairs, Global Executive Team) 
  • Support and advise the MD GPNA on the priorities and evolution of the GPNA function 
  • Proactively participate in the evaluation of WRI’s 2023-27 strategy and the development of its next global strategy 
  • Actively contribute to WRI’s global strategy discussions, annual planning and budgeting for the GPNA function and Regional & Country Offices, including participation annual planning meetings and, as needed, global governance meetings or ad hoc convenings 
What will you need:

  • Education: You have completed a Master’s or Doctoral degree in economics, political science, business administration, law, public administration, rural development, or similar field 
  • Experience: You have a minimum of 15 years of global work experience, with a minimum of 10 years leading a global organization, region, country, or global unit within an international development context 
  • Extensive experience working across sectors (public, private, civil society, and research), multiple WRI programmatic areas (food, land, water, oceans, energy, cities, climate, economics, finance, and governance), and geographies 
  • Extensive experience in organization and program governance across multiple types of legal systems (including an understand of complex legal structures, human resources laws and best practices, and combing legal and multistakeholder governance models) 
  • Experience representing global organizations, navigating, and negotiating complex programs or other collaborations in high-level public and private fora at national and international levels related to WRI’s programmatic areas 
  • Experience acquiring, managing, and renewing multiple $10m+ grants from governments, philanthropies, and individuals for WRI-related work with deliver in multiple WRI geographies 
  • Extensive experience building fit-for-purpose teams to deliver within and across multiple countries for a complex mix of funders 
  • Experience leading or as a senior consultant on governance, fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational development for global non-profit organizations 
  • You will have a positive, solution-oriented mindset to resolving problems and managing tensions, internally and externally 
  • You will have a strong personal sense of equity and a clear understanding of your identity in a global context 
  • You will have a record of accomplishment of organization and time management skills, with experience directly and indirectly managing multiple directors and teams simultaneously 
  • You will have a demonstrated track record of working both independently and in team 
  • Experience working across geographies, languages and in multiple time zones 
  • Languages: Proficiency in verbal and written English required. Proficiency in additional languages where WRI has offices is beneficial 
  • Requirements: WRI is able to provide visa work authorization
Potential Salary: US salary range is between 192,000 and 230,400
USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
 
How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of October 22, 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.
 
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
  • Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution, Paid Time Off
 
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.

Apply Apply Later
← Back to Current Openings

Share