Vice President for Research (VP)

The 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. WRI focuses its work on four basic goals:

(1) Protect the ecosystems, assuring capacity to provide goods & services on which human well-being depends;

(2) Safeguard Earth's climate from further harm due to greenhouse gas emissions and help people adapt to unavoidable climate change;

(3) Reduce the use of materials & generation of wastes in the production of the goods and services that improve peoples lives;

(4) Guarantee people's access to environmental information and decisions regarding natural resources and the environment.

WRIs work is carried out by a 130 member interdisciplinary staff augmented by a network of advisors, collaborators, partners, and cooperating institutions in more than 50 countries.

The Vice President for Research (VP) is responsible for assuring that WRIs research work and publications meet the highest professional standards by ensuring that policy work is relevant and that it is based on sound science and/or data analysis. The VP will oversee and take a lead role in the planning, quality control and evaluation of WRI research work. S-he will mentor research staff, manage effective peer review processes and oversee mechanisms for project and program evaluation. The VP will provide leadership and guidance in the development of projects and program work plans which are consistent with the Institutes goals and objectives and which strengthen and encourage work across Programs. The VP will report to the President and participate in the overall strategic management of the Institute by serving on the Executive Team.

Responsibilities:

Designs and manages the internal and external processes and controls to assure quality of WRI research work

Provides guidance and expertise to project staff on research methods, innovative approaches, and quality standards from project initiation through the entire life cycle of projects

Manages internal and external peer review process for publications and communications

Helps guide researchers in planning and implementing policy research work that is important and relevant

Mentors research staff

Provides support, advice, and guidance on policy research, data interpretation, and analytical issues to project managers and research staff

Assists staff in identifying colleagues and external people if area of work is not in VPs own field of expertise

Teaches effective use of data and quantitative analysis and guides researchers towards insightful uses

Provides staff with professional development opportunities

Stimulates intellectual life of the Institute by designing and managing internal events such as seminars and discussions

Participates in planning and development of WRI programs

Serves as voice for policy relevance based on solid science/data, integrity, and analytical excellence in programs

Works with Managing Director in assuring that internal review process is effective, well understood, and transparent and provides constructive, formal feedback to project proposal writers

Works as an advisor to Managing Director, who will be determining final approval of new projects

Works with Development and Communications staff in reviewing new project proposals and presentations to help ensure that proposals are fundable and that the messages are scientifically supportable and consistent with the goals and objectives of the Institute

Works with Communications staff to coordinate and manage the publication life-cycle process across the Institute

Serves on Executive Team and participates in key institutional decision-making processes

Is an active participant and team player in the development of strategic planning process and allocation of institutional resources

Fundraises as necessary and appropriate to meet institutional needs

Focus and Intent:

Ensures excellence in science-based research, data analysis, and policy relevance

Provides strong voice for research quality and feasibility of project approach, scientific soundness and innovativeness

Convenes social science, science and policy experts as needed

Serves as key contributor in the inception, design, development, implementation and outputs of research efforts so that they align with and accomplish the outcomes; is integral to the life of the project from a policy research perspective

Is a major player in developing staff in how to conduct rigorous, practical outcome oriented research and projects

Key competencies, skills and minimum requirements for success:
Successful candidates will have a broad understanding of scientific and policy issues related to development and the environment. S-he will have a clear understanding of the opportunities for policy and institutional change. WRI seeks an individual who possesses the following qualifications and competencies:

A capacity to learn and grasp the principal issues of each program area and effectively transform these sometimes disparate issues into a coherent framework to advance the Institutes goals and objectives

A record of leadership working on policy issues related to sustainable development issues, ideally with experience in developing countries and international fora

A record of significant publications and project management

Experience advising and guiding researchers, writers, and project managers, and a strong desire to play that mentor role

Excellent conceptual, analytical thinking, and quantitative skills

Ability to develop mutually beneficial working relationships with colleagues

Demonstrated success in fostering teamwork and developing professional research staff

Proven track record in fostering innovation where s-he has developed or designed new and improved methods, procedures, ideas, or products

Ph.D. or equivalent experience and record of achievement

World Resources Institute 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, gender, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.

Interested candidates please send cover letter and curriculum vitae/resume and salary requirements by Monday, September 16, 2002 to:

World Resources Institute

Attn: Human Resources

VP Research Search Committee

10 G Street, NE #800

Washington, DC 20002

FAX: 202-729-7610

E-mail: vivianf@wri.org