Associate, Nature-Based Solutions at World Resources Institute (WRI)

The World Resources Institute is a global research non-profit organization that was established in 1982 with funding from the MacArthur Foundation under the leadership of James Gustave Speth. WRI is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being.WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Job Summary:

The Cities4Forests Initiative seeks a full-time Research Associate specialized in nature-based solutions (NBS) to work towards mainstreaming NBS in infrastructure investment projects across Africa. Your work in the first 12 months of employment will center on delivering a research project that depicts the pipeline of NBS investment opportunities in the region and identifies necessary actions to reach scale. In this role, you will contribute to WRI’s research and advisory work on NBS across Sub-Saharan Africa.

While the team has already lined up a discrete project for you to undertake, you will also help develop the Initiative’s regional strategy and source new opportunities to scale our impact.

You will work with the global Cities4Forests team of 25+ staff across the world, and the WRI Africa leads for the Vital Landscapes and Thriving Resilient Cities programs. You will report to the Cities4Forests’ Senior Associate, and interface daily with the WRI Global team and international, program and field offices and team members in Africa.

Job Responsibilities:

NBS Research and Strategic Support (75% of time required)

1. With the team and partners , co-develop a research approach to analyze and describe the status of NBS adoption in the sub-Saharan Africa region, and opportunities for scaling.


2. With the team, co-lead the partnership of organizations and funders engaged on this research agenda, ensuring deliverables, timelines, feedback and guidance are aligned.


3. Lead a team to identify NBS projects in the region, screen identified projects against eligibility criteria for inclusion in the research project, gather project data from interviews and document analysis, and organize information into an NBS project database, and direct other related research activities.


4. Interpret findings to identify next steps for governments, utilities, development banks, donors and civil society partners to scale investment in NBS.


5. Develop new knowledge and recommendations on effective strategies for NBS design and implementation, on topics such as inclusive and effective community engagement in NBS projects, NBS operations and maintenance, integrating NBS into standard procedures, etc.


6. Co-author reports and communications materials, drafting sections of text, providing visual representations of data, undertaking multiple revisions of research based on partner and expert feedback, etc.


7. Support financial institutions such as the World Bank and African Development Bank to increase wise investment in NBS, by helping identify ripe partnerships, investment opportunities, and strategic priorities to ensure the success of NBS efforts over the long-term.


8. Tap into a growing global network of cutting-edge NBS project developers to source ideas and guidance to inspire and enable successful NBS projects in Africa.


9. Conduct outreach and communications including presenting at internal/external meetings and conferences, co-authoring reports, and blog posts, leading convenings with key decision-makers, and other activities

Fundraising and Operations (25% of time required)

1. Work with senior staff on the strategic development and management of our NBS portfolio of work across the region.


2. Develop relationships and manage multi-sector partnerships to produce project outcomes.


3. Support fundraising, including cultivating new project opportunities and prospective donors as well as preparing proposals.


4. Organize internal and external meetings, workshops, and other data gathering and research dissemination activities.


5. Liaise with internal staff and project stakeholders to problem solve and generate solutions to project implementation issues.

Job Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree or PhD in environmental management, environmental policy, development economics, or similar.


2. Minimum 7 years of relevant full-time work experience is required


3. Prior demonstrated experience in designing, evaluating, and/or implementing NBS


4. Prior experience working with governments; ability to navigate pathways to influence public policy


5. Experience working with development banks or multi-lateral funding agencies (GEF, GCF) is an advantage


6. Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner


7. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse teams of individuals and colleagues


8. Strong written and oral communication skills, particularly when it comes to communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences


9. Ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines while setting and delivering on clear priorities


10. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrated strong work ethic


11. Flexibility to travel


12. Fluency in English required


13. Fluency or business proficiency in French is a distinct advantage.

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