This is an advertisement for two positions, one at the World Resources Institute (WRI) requiring expertise in climate change adaptation and the United Nations global climate change negotiations, and the other at Resources for the Future for several research assistant positions.

1) Job Title: Pathway to Paris Climate Adaptation Associate

Overview

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is seeking an Associate with expertise and experience in climate change adaptation and the United Nations global climate change negotiations.  The associate will support adaptation elements of WRI’s efforts to promote an ambitious, effective, and equitable global climate change agreement under the United Nations during 2015.  He/she will report to the Director of the Vulnerability & Adaptation Initiative and sit with the Initiative’s nine-member team. Through a “matrixed” management arrangement, he/she will also engage closely in the work of WRI’s International Climate Action Initiative, including the ACT2015 Consortium, and will collaborate with a range of international climate experts under that initiative.

The V&A team seeks to help governments develop and implement adaptation policies and practices commensurate with the scale and scope of climate change. Our goal is to help national and sub-national decision makers understand the drivers of climate vulnerability in their countries, engage vulnerable people in adaptation efforts, and access the information, tools, and resources they need to take account of climate change in planning and programs. We collaborate extensively with colleagues across WRI and with partner organizations in India and Africa.

Responsibilities

Lead policy-relevant research, analysis and writing on adaptation-related elements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, including loss and damage

Lead technical assistance and capacity development activities for several developing country governments (primarily in Africa and Latin America) related to adaptation aspects of the negotiations

Advise and support the development of adaptation elements of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) for several developing countries (primarily in Africa and Latin America)

Conceive, develop and write high-quality, high-impact reports, issue briefs, case studies, and blogs

Develop project proposals and concept notes.

Communicate WRI research and analysis with external audiences in target countries, and at global intergovernmental meetings

Design and implement WRI roundtables, workshops or other convening events with key stakeholders

Liaise with and develop collaborations with external partners from around the world, including partners from developing countries and international agencies.

Independently manage projects or discrete components of large projects.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Strong understanding of climate, environment and international development issues.

Strong understanding of climate change adaptation concepts and terminology.

Minimum 5-7 years of progressive professional work experience related to climate change, development, or international climate policy.

International experience required.  Experience with UNFCCC negotiations preferred.

Degree in environmental studies, international relations, economics, or similar. Master’s or PhD preferred. Significant relevant professional experience may substitute for a post-graduate degree.

Strong analytical writing skills.  This is a very serious requirement.

Willingness to travel internationally (approx. 25% time).

Self-motivated with an ability to juggle multiple priorities, handle assignments independently, and work under tight deadlines.

Familiarity with adaptation-related concepts, terms, acronyms, and institutions particular to the UNFCCC.

Final candidates will be asked to discuss the differences between a NAP and a NAPA.

Desired Qualifications:

Spanish language proficiency.

Strong oral presentation skills, including the ability to simplify complex ideas.

Strong interpersonal communication skills and persuasive abilities

Familiarity with developing country work contexts

Strong strategic thinking skills

Flexibility, sense of humour, breadth of interests, and willingness to explore unfamiliar issues

Final candidate will be required to take a writing test.

Finalists will need to submit 2 writing samples.

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package

Duration

One year

Location

Washington, DC

 

Qualified applicants should apply online at www.wri.org/careers. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered.

 

2) Research Assistant openings at Resources for the Future (RFF)

Resources for the Future (www.rff.org) has openings for several Research Assistant (RA) positions in Washington DC. A candidate should have a master or bachelor degree in economics, environmental policy, mathematics, or a related field. We look for applicants with outstanding academic records, strong quantitative ability, organizational skills, and the ability to write clearly, quickly, and concisely. Other potentially valuable skills include:

  • knowledge of upper-level undergraduate or graduate-level economics, quantitative methods, statistics
  • facility in assembling, manipulating, and analyzing datasets
  • ability to conduct literature searches and draft literature reviews and reports
  • experience with computational, statistical or GIS software, including Stata, R, Matlab, SAS, GAMS, and ArcGIS
  • familiarity with/interest in ecosystem, biodiversity, water, and other natural resource policy assessments
  • familiarity with/interest in designing, administering, and analyzing surveys
  • familiarity with/interest in the energy or electricity sector

RAs support RFF researchers to address a wide range of topics, including economic analyses of energy, climate, and environmental policy; economics of ecosystems, forests, biodiversity, water, and other natural resources; benefit-cost analysis of environmental regulations; environment and the economy of developing countries; conceptual modeling and analysis of public policies pertaining to the topics above.

RFF is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that conducts independent research rooted primarily in economics on environmental, energy, natural resource and environmental health issues. RFF’s mission is to improve environmental and natural resource policymaking worldwide through objective social science research of the highest caliber.

These are one-year appointments renewable for a second year. Salary is competitive (low $40Ks). RFF is an equal-opportunity employer committed to promoting a diverse workplace.

Note that these positions are not Ph.D. level research positions (follow our other openings for them). We look for candidates already authorized to work and live in the U.S.

All applications must be submitted electronically. For more information and to apply, please go to https://www.rff.org/About_RFF/Pages/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx.

Positions are open until filled. To ensure consideration, please apply by March 15, 2015. Expected starting dates are flexible throughout the summer 2015.