Director, China Sustainable Transition Center

WRI is seeking a creative and multi-talented expert as Sustainable Transition Center Director. Reporting to the WRI China Country Director, you will be a MT member of the leadership team of WRI China.

You will be responsible for mentoring program and research staff and coordinating a community of practice across the global network. You will develop and steer a strategy and work plan for the work stream to deliver inclusive and equitable local, national, and international outcomes, raise funds, and develop a coherent and compelling portfolio of projects. You will also be responsible for collaborating with all programs in WRI China, following a cohesive global strategy across multiple solutions.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop a well-structured and compelling Center strategy for WRI China, with a strong research foundation, clear priorities, and coherent vision.

In line with the above strategy, identify, develop, and implement projects to deliver large-scale, high impact outcomes.

Build coalitions and convene successful partnerships on sustainable cities, climate and energy policy research to advance WRI's sustainable cities, climate change and energy agenda.

Foster strong collaborative relationships with government representatives and media, including senior government officials in relevant government ministries and departments.
Foster a culture of excellence in work of the team and across WRI China.

Promote close and effective collaboration with relevant programs and centers at WRI as well as with other International Offices.

Program management

Manage the program team, including project management, staff management, and financial and administrative matters.

Directly manage and deliver key projects/research.
Provide input into WRI’s global sustainable cities, climate, and energy strategy.
Write and review reports/publications to ensure high quality, high impact publications in line with WRI’s requirements.
Provide oversight of all China-related sustainable cities, climate and energy policy relevant research and analysis.
Produce/review publications and other research materials to ensure they meet WRI’s high standards of quality.

Communications, outreach, and external relationship building

Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government, private sector, non-profit, academia, funders, and other stakeholders.
Communicate and coordinate with different programs, centers, offices, and initiatives within WRI network to create synergies.
Write briefs, publish blogs, and conduct media interviews in order to set public and private sector agendas, influence decision-maker perspectives, and communicate findings and recommendations from WRI’s China sustainable cities, climate and energy works.

Fundraising

Lead the development and implementation of the fundraising strategy.
Develop and maintain relationships with existing and prospective donors.
Identify fundraising opportunities and prepare funding proposals for corporate donors, private foundations, government agencies, bilateral donors, and other funders.

Others

Other tasks directed by the Country Director.

Qualifications and Requirements

Well-established China sustainable development expert with known track record on national and/or subnational Climate, Energy, Food and Natural resources, Green Finance and Cities works and so on.

Proven ability to provide vision and superb strategic thinking skills to identify strategic projects, drive transformative change, and bring outcomes to scale.

Strong governmental network in China country wide with significant experience in working directly with relevant ministries and proven experience on stakeholder engagement, convening, and partnership management.

Strong research skill with relevant experience on publishing high impact reports, familiar with peer review processes, and experience on multi-partner joint publications.

Track record on raising large-scale, multi-year funds with broad connections with funders, both domestically and internationally.

Excellent communication skills and command of written and spoken both Chinese (Mandarin) and English. Strong public speaker in both languages.

Superior management skills, including project management, financial management and staff management. Demonstrated ability to successfully motivate and manage teams.

Familiar with the operation models of NGOs/research institutions.

Advanced degree in Climate, Energy, Food and Natural resources, Cities, Economics, or other related fields (a PhD is highly desirable), with at least 20 years of progressive professional work experience in China.

Willingness and ability to travel within China and internationally.

How to Apply

Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Final candidate will be required to take a writing test.

Reporting

Report to China Country Director

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

Duration: Full-time

Location: Beijing, China, Preferred

Application Deadline: Open till filled

About WRI China

WRI China was established in 2008 as WRI’s first international office. Currently, WRI China has more than 50 full-time staff members working on Climate, Energy, and Cities & Energy, Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Investment, and Food & Nature Resources. We engage with businesses, policymakers and civil society at the local, national and international levels to advance transformative solutions for sustainable development and “ecological civilization”. WRI China recently registered as a foreign NGO under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

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, Energy, and Cities 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.

The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As 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 orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.