World Resources Institute (WRI), an action oriented global organization
most recently voted as #1 environment & natural resource think tank
in the world is consistently recommended by staff as one of the "most
desired organizations to work for". WRI has over 30 years of
experience focusing on the intersection of the environment and
socio-economic development. WRI goes beyond research to put ideas into
action – our mission is to move human society to live in ways that
protects Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs
and aspirations of current and future generations.
WRI has been growing the past five years and now has offices in
Washington D.C., India, and China and a presence in Brazil, Indonesia as
well as a dozen other countries around the world. WRI staff not only
have a deep understanding of the issues, but also an understanding of
the political and cultural contexts that shape how decisions are made
and how to engage effectively in the countries in which we work and
partner. Our staff represents over 40 nationalities.
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| Overview |
The
World Resources Institute is looking for a bright dynamic person to
lead its India Sustainable Cities project for conceptualizing, defining,
implementing and managing its initiatives on Sustainable Cities in
India. The Cities lead will be responsible for working with Indian
cities to define the vision for sustainable cities in the Indian context
and helping cities realize this vision. The successful candidate will
be instrumental in framing and leading discussions to define WRI’s
strategy for its work on Cities and Urbanization in India and be the
focal point for leading and coordinating WRI’s sustainable cities work
across all its program areas. The successful candidate will have a track
record of working with officials at all levels of Government and in
convening diverse sets of stakeholders around urban issues. The
candidate should and have a sound understanding of issues challenges
facing Indian cities across sectors from an economic, political and
technical point of view.
This
role will oversee a team of experts, managers, and support staff, and
leverage other existing programs’ capacity to deliver on the activities
and projects that constitute the India Cities strategy for WRI. The
Cities lead will be expected to bring together in the team a set of
diverse expertise such as urban planning, public policy, economics,
governance, sociology and political economy. The lead would manage the
city strategy, conduct thought-leading research to frame urban issues,
and help build capacity both within WRI and in the broader urban
ecosystem. The lead will be expected to play a critical role in
expanding the scope and resources of WRI’s cities work in India.
The
India Cities lead will be expected to build close relations with our
Bangalore team and external partners; collaborate closely in Mumbai with
our WRI-India program managers and managing director; work in Delhi
directly with national officials on policy; to work in other Indian
cities to develop new multi-program city projects; and to collaborate
closely with our global city team in Washington and our city leads in
Brazil, China, and other countries. The special candidate must have the
talent and willingness to overcome geographic differences no matter
where he or she is located.
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| Responsibilities |
Leadership
- Lead
the discussions to define and achieve internal and external buy in for
WRI’s ‘Sustainable Cities’ vision and strategy in India. Be accountable
for the implementation of this strategy by way of delivering outcomes in
multiple cities across the country.
- Develop the overarching
narrative for WRI’s work in Indian cities. Identify gaps in WRI’s
current capabilities to realize the cities’ vision. Build capability
within the organization where appropriate and identify partners with
complementary capabilities to implement projects.
- Mentor staff
and develop expertise in urban planning, public policy, economics,
political economy and urban governance in the Cities team. Create robust
capabilities to develop tools, processes and methodologies for
measurement and governance.
Strategic Responsibilities
- Work
with city agencies, public officials and other key stakeholders to
develop a vision for Indian cities based on sustainability principles.
Leverage and establish networks with Indian administrators, the private
sector and civil society organisations to help make this vision a
reality.
- Facilitate collaboration and capacity building between
city efforts across Indian cities. Connect the India work to the global
WRI effort in cities and contribute learning and expertise to WRI’s
cities’ projects across the world .Identify new sectors for WRI to build
capabilities/ partnerships to deliver on the sustainable cities vision.
Day-to-day Responsibilities
- Manage all key internal and external stakeholder needs and expectations (which may often not be in congruence).
- Convene
and coordinate resources from other program areas in WRI and
externally, to draw on expertise to implement projects which constitute
the strategy.
- Work closely in partnership with India leads of
other program areas to realise WRI’s ‘Sustainable Cities’ vision and
strategy in India.
- Work with WRI’s global lead for the
Sustainable Cities initiative and other WRI Sustainable Cities teams
across the world to facilitate strong coordination, timely reporting of
outcomes, share best practice and contribute to WRI’s broader expertise
base on sustainability in cities.
Fundraising
- Lead
project development activities and fundraising, including
communications with potential funders, identifying new funding
opportunities, preparing concept notes and proposals, and others.
- Develop
partnerships with other relevant organizations working on similar
issues to pursue joint funding opportunities for the work in India.
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| Qualifications |
- At
least a master’s degree in urban planning, public policy, engineering,
environmental sciences, energy, urban studies, urban sociology,
economics, political economy or other related fields.
- A minimum
of 10 years of relevant experience of working in issues relating to
cities, urbanization, planning and associated fields with some years of
experience of the Indian city context.
- Sound understanding of
governance, public policy and of the city ecosystem and the various
elements that have an interconnected role including but not restricted
to energy, land use, transport, water and waste management
- Strategic planning skills, ability to develop a long term vision and strategies to realize the vision
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams across skill sets, geographies and function as a part of a global network
- Sound
understanding of the linkages between cities and the state and national
governments on both the policy and financing levels
- Experience of working in or with Government will be an added advantage
- Excellent presentation, communication, and convening skills.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English and preferably one other Indian language.
Competencies
- Positive, enthusiastic and innovative in facing challenges, opportunities and new tasks.
- Demonstrating
team spirit with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a
multi-cultural environment with staff and external stakeholders at all
levels, and flexibility to work across different time zones.
- Strong management skills, building on respect for alternative and varied perspectives, and the ability to work toward consensus
- Ability
to work in a matrix organization structure and convene other teams and
resources to implement projects with a shared vision
- Willingness to travel extensively and the ability to open doors and develop strong relationships of trust.
Location: Mumbai/Delhi/ Bangalore
Starting Date: June 2013
Salary and Benefits: Competitive compensation will be offered commensurate with qualifications
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: May 15 , 2013
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