About the Program:
The Nature Crime Alliance, a coalition initiative hosted by WRI, aims to mobilize governments and other relevant non-state actors to scale efforts to tackle the criminal networks that exploit and degrade natural resources and ecosystems worldwide.
As a global, multi-sector network, the Alliance aims to raise political will, mobilize financial commitments and bolster operational capacity to fight nature crime and the other criminal activities with which it converges, working through six focal areas:
- Bolstering development and application of cutting-edge approaches to identify and disrupt financial flows linked to nature crime;
- Raising operational capacity for detection and evidence- gathering at vulnerable, high-impact supply chain choke points (e.g., seaports, airports, borders);
- Fostering co-design, uptake and application of innovative technologies to detect and disrupt nature crime (e.g., remote sensing, materials ID, AI/machine learning, blockchain);
- Supporting increased law enforcement cooperation, effectiveness and fairness, and strengthening of national and international legal frameworks;
- Strengthening financial and technical support for and cooperation with independent civil society nature defenders, Indigenous Peoples and local communities;
- Creating knowledge products and strategic communications to highlight the impact of nature crime and solutions to tackle it, amplifying the ongoing work of partners.
Job Highlight:
This position is remote-eligible and only for consideration within the United States where WRI is state registered. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.
The Program Officer for Government Engagement will work primarily at the outset to get governments to join the Alliance as it launches and begins to formally operate. Subsequently, the job will involve engaging with member governments to understand how the Alliance can assist them, and to ensure continued momentum of their participation in and actions to achieve the goals of the Alliance. You will report to the Nature Crime Alliance Secretariat Director and be part of the WRI Natural Resources Governance and Policy group. The job will require regular travel.
What you will do:
(45%)
- Engage with key governments and bilateral and multilateral aid agencies in capitals, through embassies and UN permanent missions, and in the context of international meetings to encourage and support government engagement with the Alliance and scope funding opportunities to support investment in achieving Alliance goals and priorities in developing countries.
(20%)
- Map key players, functions and relationships within priority governments in order to build enduring relationships, anticipate political opportunities and changes, and inform broader
- Alliance strategies for multi-stakeholder country engagement
- Maintain updated database of relevant government connections for the Secretariat.
(20%)
- Leverage diplomatic connections to secure high-level participation from individuals in Alliance activities, e.g., as keynote speaker for specific events, author of specific sections of reports (pre-face) or Op-Eds in major newspapers on nature crime and serve as Alliance lead to guide and manage senior “ambassadors”/”advisors” to the Alliance.
(15%)
- Lead on organizing high-level government engagement events and contribute to relevant Alliance and WRI internal processes (e.g., reporting to funders, information management).
What you will need:
Education: You have a completed Master’s degree in environmental science, economics, business, law, or political science.
Experience: You have 7+ years of relevant professional experience, including:
- Significant diplomatic experience engaging senior government officials
- Experience with multilateral environmental processes and negotiations
Languages: Proficiency in written and spoken English is required, with additional fluency in French and/or Spanish desirable.
Requirements: Existing U.S. work authorization is required. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization
Potential Salary:
$96,000 – $116,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with cover letter. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
What we offer:
- A competitive salary and generous PTO that increase with tenure.
- 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.
- Opportunity to provide impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
- A workplace that focuses diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work.
- The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI.
- Long-term commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours.
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 our Earth’s natural resources and their capacity to provide for current and future generations.
Our values are shared ideals: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, 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.
Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.