Climate Program Research Associate Job Vacancy at World Resources Institute

Position: Research Associate, Climate Program

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Application Deadline: February, 24/2023

This position will be based out of WRI Ethiopia. Existing work authorization for Ethiopia is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor visa work authorization for this position.  

This is a limited term position ending February 28, 2024

About the Program:

The WRI Climate Program through its National Climate Action (NCA) is supporting the government of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria to accelerate their national climate action through policies that also have the potential to contribute to socio-economic targets. WRI contributes with research, technical support and capacity building that enables the Government of Ethiopia to identify policies, interventions, and investments to feed into national development plans and other policy exercises. It also contributes to communication and engagement strategies to raise awareness and shape a common evidence-based policy narrative to foster climate policy action and implementation. Through this work, WRI is providing expertise on the economic-social-environmental nexus to the Ministry of Planning and Development Commission (M0PD) and other ministries as to support the development planning process, implementation and the monitoring and evaluation of the plan implementations.

Job Highlight:

In this role, you will be closely working with the MoPD, with the ability to work out of the WRI Africa office as well as at the MoPD offices. You will support the MoPD and other ministries in designing the country’s climate-aligned development policy, mapping and crafting climate-compatible development policy interventions using simulation tools and models while simultaneously working with the Government to advance its development agenda to improve jobs, economic growth, food security and good governance. You will coordinate capacity-building efforts to strengthen the institutional and internal Green Economy Modeling (GEM) capabilities in Ethiopia including support for an Integrated Data Hub and support with MRV and data collection considerations at the MoPD, and support with the preparations of GEM coursework and training module(s) for the Department of Economics in close coordination with the department focal point and WRI Global senior experts and NCA Ethiopia senior modeling experts. You will also oversee and manage research contracts and stakeholder engagement efforts, co-author research and review reports and communications, and manage partner relationships with domestic and international entities supporting the project.

You will be supported by a team of researchers and modeling experts from WRI Africa and WRI Global offices, closely working with project leads and program leads under the Climate Program. You will report to the Senior Research Associate for Ethiopia National Climate Action Project work.

What will you do:

Research and Data Analysis (60%): 

Support the intergovernmental process to review and update Ethiopia’s long-term low-emissions development strategy including stakeholder engagement and validation of modeling simulations

Support the establishment of an integrated national Data Hub

Support the management of relations between, WRI, MoPD and other external entities supporting the work program and support improved horizontal and vertical integration of government entities

Support alignment between Ethiopia’s near-term plans and the developing long-term low-emissions development strategy. Specific activities would include coordinating with external entities to organize a capacity- building training on GHG emissions inventories and Measurement, Reporting and Verification of policies and actions

Support the Addis Ababa University Research Hub in close coordination with MOPD and the Department Focal points and representatives

Lead the installations and application of tools that help establish the integrated data hub at the MOPD

Support the sectoral decomposition or disaggregation of the Green Economy Model in close coordination with the NCE Modeling lead and international Modeling experts. As well as support for the lead Modeler to refine and update GEM as needed

Support the development of the framework for the Integrated M&E system aligned with the GEM data needs

Support efforts to collect data and inputs to refine 2050 green economy simulations and support broad public engagement for validation of modeling simulations

Support drafting documents for national government counterparts; co-author research products and other relevant communication outputs, including a case study on Ethiopia’s process to develop a long-term low-emission development strategy

Support the requests for proposals (RFP) process through drafting and participating in the competitive tendering of research contracts and contributing to policy analysis efforts as needed to support the program and the commission

Project Management (20%): 

Support fundraising efforts by developing concept notes and proposals and/or by meeting with relevant donors 

Contribute to the development of project engagement strategies 

Coordinate and provide inputs into funder reports, monitor timely deliverables, and provide support to the Program Coordinators for reporting back to funders

Engage with the Climate Communications team to ensure research efforts and products are well developed and prepared for potential wider dissemination

Partnership and Knowledge Management (20%):

Engage in capacity building on system dynamics and support the senior Modelers in deep-dive research related to distributional, poverty, income inequality and impact evaluation analysis

Identify knowledge gaps, particularly in the context of policy analysis, where WRI research can produce changes in society consistent with our mission, in collaboration with research staff from other WRI programs/centers/ international offices

Support the implementation of a research and engagement program in Ethiopia and scaling up lessons and best practices to other African pilot countries (Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa) and identify, build capacity and support for actions that can unlock the economic benefits of climate action

Represent WRI in external meetings with key stakeholders that might include experts and other research partners, the government, and funders to discuss and gather input and feedback on the program, proposed research approaches and scope and initial findings

What will you need:

Job Requirements 

Education: A completed bachelor’s degree in Economics or System Dynamics Modeling or Environmental Modeling

Experience:

You have 5+ years of relevant experience in the national development planning process (for example, the Growth and Transformation Plan or 10-Year Development Plan)

You have analytical experience in research and integrated modeling approaches (particularly GEM, CGE) and SAM-based analysis

You have knowledge of the monitoring and evaluation of plan implementations

You have experience working on Vensim or Stella software 

You have experience working on national statistical survey and census data profiles 

You have knowledge of database and websites, questionnaires, survey and graphics design 

You have experience engaging with climate and development planning as well as system dynamics modelling and knowledge of climate change and tracking systems

Experience with multi-stakeholder engagement and stakeholder analysis processes 

Experience leading and managing research projects and with undertaking and publishing relevant research is desirable

Experience working in major international institutions or in or with government

Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English

Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. 

What we offer:

A competitive salary??

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.??

The chance to have an impact and develop your career within a mission-driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.??

A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of 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 a hybrid working model with flexible working hours.?

Generous leave days increase with tenure.???

How to apply:

Register using the following link CLICK HERE