Climate Program Research Analyst, World Resources Institute – Washington, DC
Organization: World Resources Institute
Position Title: Research Analyst II, Climate Program
Location: Washington, DC
Application Deadline: Position open until filled
Mind the Science, Mind the Gap is a partnership of WRI, CDP, WWF and UNGC which aims to encourage businesses to take swift climate action by setting new, ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. It was formed as a response to the urgent call of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to decarbonize the economy, and is a joint collaboration between CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and WWF.
The initiative adopts a scientific approach to climate action in line with the latest IPCC report, which states that global emissions in 2050 need to be 41 to 72 percent lower than the emissions in 2010 in order to have a likely chance to keep temperature change below 2ºC. The Science Based Targets initiative stresses the key role played by corporations in successfully addressing this climate threat by limiting and reducing GHG emissions at the rate suggested by climate scientists.
In a world where there is no widely-accepted way to set greenhouse gas emission targets and an uncertain future legislative environment, companies lack incentives and guidance on how to achieve the level of reductions that current climate science has identified as crucial to limit the worst impacts of climate change. Companies seeking to be leaders in the space often look to organizations such as CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI and WWF for guidance on establishing their targets.
Previously, this advice was provided on a case by case basis and not guided by any widely-approved methodology. Science Based Targets hopes to fix this problem, by raising the corporate target setting levels and driving bolder business solutions by identifying and promoting innovative approaches to corporate GHG goal setting.
We are looking for a motivated individual to coordinate WRI’s role in this project and manage the development of a guidance document which provides recommendations to companies on how to set and implement a science based target.
Responsibilities:
- (75% time) Manage development of guidance for companies on how to set science-based GHG reduction targets, a key activity of theMind the Science, Mind the Gap Responsibilities include:
- Managing all steps of the guidance development process: coordinating authors of chapters, finalizing outline and drafts of guidance, lead author for a few chapters, Working with partners on the public comment process, and coordinating revision and publishing process, Promote implementation and adoption of the publication through capacity building and speaking engagements.
- (25% time) Participate as a member of the TRAC corporate team in activities related to training on corporate GHG accounting, performing built on mark reviews, and advising companies on their GHG management strategies and reduction targets. In this role, the Analyst will also help to scope out and launch new TRAC Corporate projects potentially including GHG Protocol Product Innovation Standard and a tool on corporate carbon pricing programs.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred, in environmental policy, engineering, public administration, public policy, economics, business, or related field
- Minimum 2-3 years full time relevant work experience required
- Experience with corporate GHG Accounting and/or life cycle assessment
- Experience working on corporate climate change strategies
- Excellent project management skills
- Outstanding ability to communicate technical topics clearly and confidently
- Experience with MS-Excel and strong quantitative skills
- Excellent research, analytical, writing, presentation and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Ability to be flexible with approaches and to think outside the box to solve problems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, take initiative, and deliver under tight deadlines
- Sense of humor and positive attitude
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally on occasion
How to Apply: Qualified applicants should apply online at www.wri.org/careers. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered. Final candidates will be required to take a writing test. Finalists will need to submit 2 writing samples.
