Position of Director, Climate, Economic & Finance for Africa at World Resources Institute, Rwanda

This position will be hybrid requiring a few days per week in office. It can be based in the office in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya or Democratic Republic of Congo. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

The Climate, Economics & Finance pillar at WRI Africa invests in creating supportive enabling environments for the climate resilient, low emission, and nature positive, economic, and societal transformations needed on the continent. Alongside WRI Africa’s pillars on thriving resilient cities, vital landscapes, energy access and transitions, the Climate, Economics & Finance pillar works with government, civil society and communities, and the private sector to address key cross-cutting and underlying challenges in the enabling policy, political economy, institutions and knowledge ecosystem to enable inclusive, resilient, and green transitions. The pillar also seeks to help strengthen governance and institutions for evidence-based decision making; promote independent research and data transparency and access; enable a radical shift of leadership in research on Africa to African institutions and researchers; and ensure that African voices are informed, strong, and vocal in regional and global processes. This is in effort to support the shift to more equitable global institutions and governance for collective action and support a flourishing ecosystem of engaged stakeholders across Africa. The team works on a growing portfolio of programs cutting across adaptation, mitigation, climate diplomacy, and finance across several focus countries on the continent, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and others. Partners include governments, civil society organizations, universities, the private sector amongst others.

Reporting to the WRI Africa, Regional Deputy Director (as the Anchor Manager) and Global Climate Director (for Outcomes Manager), the position will anchor the team’s contribution to and participation in international and regional climate and adjacent processes, including the UNFCCC, AMCEN, etc. The position will bring knowledge and expertise across climate-related issues, including on adaptation and resilience, loss and damage, mitigation, and UNFCCC negotiations, how African countries can shift onto development pathways which are inclusive, climate resilient, low emission and nature positive, and how international and domestic financial and economic systems can support such transformations and transitions. The applicant must be familiar and comfortable with working with a wide variety of partners – from community–based and civil society organizations to private companies and financiers to academia and government. The director will also serve as focal point for the team’s governmental and non-governmental partners on these issues and for initiatives within WRI’s global and country programs relevant to Africa on these topics. The applicant should be comfortable with communicating and discussing complex messages, academic findings, concepts, and thematic areas with a wide range of expert and non-expert audiences.

Read the full job announcement here.

Application deadline: 28 April 2024