Research Associate, Overseas Energy
5 days ago
Full time role
In-person · Beijing, Beijing, CN
Summary:
In 2021, China made a significant commitment to the global fight against climate change by pledging to stop building new coal-fired power projects abroad and to step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy. This pledge also aligns with the global ambition to triple renewable energy capacity, a goal that requires concerted efforts and strategic investments worldwide. As one of the largest economies and a leader in clean energy technologies, China is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in achieving this objective.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) recognizes the critical importance of China's contribution to advancing global energy transition. To this end, WRI China is seeking a dynamic leader to drive the team's efforts in promoting China's energy transition contribution both nationally and globally. This role is crucial for developing innovative strategies, identifying key leverage points, and cultivating relationships with partners and/or stakeholders to achieve impactful outcomes.
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that align with China's commitments and global energy transition goals. By fostering collaboration and building strong networks, this role will significantly contribute to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy systems in China and abroad.
Responsibilities:
Strategic leadership (25%)
- Develop a well-structured and compelling strategy for China’s contribution to the global energy transition, grounded in strong research foundation, clear priorities, and coherent vision.
- Identify, develop and implement projects that align with the above strategy to achieve large-scale and high-impact outcomes.
- Build coalitions and convene successful partnerships to advance our climate change and energy work through policy research and engagement.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and excellence within the team and across WRI China.
- Promote close and effective collaborations with relevant programs and centers at other International Offices.
Fundraising (25%)
- Lead the development and implementation of the fundraising strategy.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with existing and prospective donors.
- Identify fundraising opportunities and prepare compelling funding proposals for corporate donors, private foundations, government agencies, bilateral donors, and other potential funders.
Program management (20%)
- Manage the project team, including project management, staff management, and financial and administrative matters.
- Oversee research and analysis related to our energy work.
- Ensure high-quality and impactful publications by writing/reviewing knowledge products in line with WRI’s standards.
- Contribute to WRI’s global energy strategy.
- Perform other tasks as directed by the management team.
Communications, outreach, and external relationship building (30%)
- Foster strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in the energy sector in China and abroad.
- Regularly engage with external stakeholders to ensure our work leads to on-the-ground change and broad-reaching outcomes.
- Coordinate with different programs, centers, offices, and initiatives within the WRI network to create synergies.
- Represent WRI at workshops, conferences, media interviews and events to promote our mission and objectives.
- Write/review briefs, insight blogs and press releases to influence public and private sector agendas and communicate findings and recommendations with target audiences.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in energy policy, environmental science, international development cooperation, or a related field.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in policy research and engagement in renewable energy, low-carbon technologies, sustainable investment, etc.
- Strong network of stakeholders in the energy sector both in China and abroad.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Proven track record of successful fundraising and financial management.
- Ability to work effectively in a team, manage multiple priorities, take initiatives, and deliver results under tight deadlines.
- Strong quantitative research, analytical, writing, and presentation skills, preferably with publication experience.
- Flexibility to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
- Fluency in Mandarin and English, both written and spoken, is required.
Final candidates will be required to take a writing test.
Reporting: Director, Sustainable Transition Center
Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.
Duration: Full-time
Location: Beijing, China
How to Apply
Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
The final candidate will be required to take a writing test.
About WRI China
WRI China was established in 2008 as WRI’s first international office. Currently, we have more than 60 full-time employees working on Sustainable Transition, Sustainable Finance Investment, Food & Nature Resources, and more. We engage with businesses, policymakers and civil society at levels, from local and subnational, to national and international, to advance transformative and comprehensive 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 (MEE).
WRI Overview
World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization with the mission 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.
Founded in 1982, we’ve gathered nearly 1,800 staff located around the world. In addition to global initiatives and a coordinated regional presence in Africa and Europe, we prioritize work in 12 focus countries: China, Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and the United States.
WRI is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet people’s essential needs; to protect and restore nature; and to stabilize the climate and build more resilient communities. We have been growing rapidly: over the past 5 years, our staff has doubled in size.
We are passionate. We cherish our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We set integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect as our core values. We have a flexible working environment. And we work toward a common goal of creating a better world for people, nature and climate.
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. You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work.
About WRI Sustainable Transition Center
As a mega economy, China's regional economies have their distinctive features. The disparities in local economy and industries underscore the importance of customizing region-specific strategies for sustainable and green transition, In 2023, WRl launched the Sustainable Transition Center in Beijing, focusing on four most representative regions in China: the Yangtze River Delta region (YRD), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Sichuan-Chongqing region and Shandong Province, to explore customized solutions for green transition in different regions of China, Furthermore, the center also represents an important initiative by WRl to foster systematic, inter-disciplinary collaboration and seek holistic solutions across different projects.