Senior Associate, US Foreign Policy Specialist

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to create practical ways to protect the planet and improve people's lives. Our mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment for current and future generations.

• People and ecosystems. Reverse rapid degradation of ecosystems and assure their capacity to provide humans with needed goods and services.
• Climate change. Protect the global climate system from further harm due to emissions of greenhouse gases and help humanity and the natural world adapt to unavoidable climate change.
• Markets and Enterprise. Harness markets and enterprise to expand economic opportunity and protect the environment.
• Access. Guarantee public access to information and decisions regarding natural resources and the environment.
• Institutional excellence. Support and enhance WRI's ability to achieve results.

In all of its policy research and work with institutions, WRI tries to build bridges between ideas and action, meshing the insights of scientific research, economic and institutional analyses, and practical experience with the need for open and participatory decision-making.

Action by the US is critical to solving global climate change, particularly through: 

• taking rapid, economy-wide action to reduce US GHG emissions;
• supporting measures to accelerate the deployment of clean technologies globally and the encouragement of sustainable growth;
• enhancing the ability of developing countries to adapt to climate change;
• forging and financing agreements on mechanisms for reducing deforestation and enabling adaptation; and
• reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade through international negotiations.

As climate legislation progresses in the US, and as the country prepares for a new president, new opportunities are emerging to expand the scope of US action. 

Position Overview:

WRI seeks a Senior Associate to join our Climate and Energy Program as a US Foreign Policy Specialist. S/he will work with WRI's U.S. and International Climate Policy teams to design and review international policy opportunities to constructively engage in successful post-2012 multilateral agreements and support strong climate change action.

The Senior Associate will also work with a variety of external organizations, Congressional staff, and government agencies seeking strategies to both mitigate climate change and help the most vulnerable to adapt to it.

Responsibilities

• Building constituencies within the US government who understand climate change as an important foreign policy issue with broad implications;
• Analyzing the effect of US actions on less developed countries in the areas of trade, energy, development assistance and climate change;
• Convening working groups to develop and refine analysis, as necessary;
• Identifying key actors and fora for influence in each area of work and conducting strategic outreach;
• Leading a program of education and outreach to encourage policy makers to take action on current US legislation and upcoming international negotiations;
• Writing policy briefs on relevant issues, particularly on the ability of vulnerable developing countries to adapt to climate change, the reduction of deforestation in forest-rich developing countries, access by developing countries to stable, affordable energy sources and technologies that can enable low-carbon economic growth, and competitiveness concerns.

Qualifications

• Masters degree or equivalent in public policy or another relevant field, as well as 5 or more years of relevant professional experience;
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in foreign policy issues, particularly related to climate, energy, forestry, trade, and/or security (experience participating in international processes is a plus);
• Solid understanding of US political process, and strong reputation and network of contacts among US policy audiences (experience working on Capitol Hill is a plus);
• Excellent English language communication skills, both written and oral, and demonstrated project management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams as well as willingness to assert initiative and provide leadership when appropriate.
• Must be available to start by early summer 2008

Salary and Benefits:

Salary is commensurate with experience. WRI offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package. Position will be based in Washington, DC. Candidate must have ability and willingness to travel, as needed.

Application Closing Date:  April 21, 2008

To Apply:

Please email, fax or mail a cover letter and CV. No phone calls please.

World Resources Institute
Attn: Natalie Bushell
10 G Street, NE, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20002

WRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is WRI's policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability. WRI only accepts resumes for current vacancies.