Research Associate, Friends of Ocean Action and the Ocean Program

Job Description

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Global Director of WRI’s Ocean Program and Director of Friends of Ocean Action (FOA), you will lead FOA’s work with the finance sector, aiming to scale levels of finance flowing towards sustainable blue economy activities and ocean conservation. Additionally, you will be lead the delivery of ongoing work, as well as the identification of new projects and collaborations that can contribute to the overall aim of the pillar.

You will target high-level engagement with financial institutions, businesses, governments, and civil society organizations in relation to specific deliverables of the impact pillar; and monitoring and analyzing trends and developments in the field of sustainability, biodiversity, and ocean finance. In this role, you will also involve engagement with FOA members and their networks.

As a member of the FOA team, you will join a global team based in different locations and organizations, and you will closely work with the World Economic Forum’s network in providing valuable engagement to the existing FOA network and growing the project portfolio within the finance pillar.

This role can be based in London or the Hague.

Job Responsibilities:

Key duties and responsibilities include aspects of the following areas: government and private sector engagement, project development and management, event coordination, and communication.

• Leading on development and delivery of Friends of Ocean Action’s impact pillar: Activating ocean finance
• Manage pre-existing projects, and work to develop and launch new projects, research, workstreams and associated deliverables
• Maintaining and growing Friends of Ocean Action engagements with financial institutions and sustainable and ocean finance-focused coalitions and initiatives
• Representing Friends of Ocean Action in these engagements. An existing network is desirable.
• Working closely with the World Economic Forum counterparts, build a value proposition and concrete engagement opportunities for members of the Friends of Ocean Action and other partners and constituents in the ocean finance agenda
• Sharing knowledge and developments to facilitate collaboration and integration within and among other Friends of Ocean Action impact pillars and across partner networks
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the Friends of Ocean Action members’ programs and organizations, in order to maximize synergies with the Friends of Ocean Action agenda and leverage developing knowledge, research and expertise
• Contribute to the production of original research and communications materials, including blogs and newsletters
• Support with organisation of Friends of Ocean Action events, workshops, meetings, calls, and webinars, and supporting the preparation and coordination of associated preparatory and follow up materials
• Monitoring and evaluate the project impact, in line with the Friends of Ocean Action impact measurement and monitoring framework.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in a relevant area or equivalent experience preferred;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sustainable finance, sustainable blue economy, environmental or financial services, ESG, conservation finance, or related fields;
• Motivated self-starter who enjoys working in a highly collaborative environment;
• Expertise in biodiversity, marine and ocean issues is desirable. Strong knowledge of finance, with understanding of how financial institutions, of all kinds, can work to support the development of a sustainable blue economy and achievement of SDG14 - and a passion to support action towards these goals;
• Track record in building, managing and delivering impactful projects in a fast paced and international setting;
• Experience of engaging with financial institutions on ESG, ocean and/or biodiversity issues;
• Demonstrable experience in research, writing and delivering reports and associated content for a financial audience;
• Strong understanding of the landscape of sectors and key stakeholders actively engaged in the ocean agenda (e.g., finance, governments, private sector, and civil society organizations);
• Strong strategic and diplomacy skills, with ability to work with C-suite leaders and issue experts in academia, international organizations, governments and non-governmental organizations, as well as with representatives from grassroots organizations;
• A task-oriented style, with a focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals. Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines, maintaining a high level of organization with clear communication with team members;
• Ability to connect the dots in a complex matrix environment, with a strong service and entrepreneurial attitude.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to synthesize large amounts of information and focus quickly on the essence of an issue/problem, determine whether it is ripe for intervention and identify the means to address it;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills;
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite; and
• Experience in donor relationship management and events planning and management desirable.

About the Organization

Program Overview:

The Global Development Team is broken into four key philanthropic sectors (Corporate Relations, Government, Foundations, and Individuals) that are managed by sector experts that provide strategic advice and a critical coordination function across the matrix. WRI Global’s fundraising model is decentralized by design. This is because donors want to hear from the technical experts themselves, who actively fundraise on behalf of their respective Programs and Centers.

The Development team provides the institute with strategic support, which includes:

• Set and track institutional fundraising strategy
• Coordinate fundraising approaches across WRI’s network
• Set key donor engagement strategies
• Raise unrestricted and core funding
• Help programs, centers, and international offices with priority fundraising needs
• Process all gifts to the institute and manages donor acknowledgement

WRI Overview:

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 in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills, and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence, and respect.

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.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years, and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

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.