Institutional Partnerships Director at World Resources Institute (WRI)

Job Highlight:

• Reporting to the Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships, you will champion WRI as a trusted partner for change, develop tools and programming to make WRI ‘fit for internal and external partnering’, having in place partnership-supportive systems and processes, guidance, skills and capabilities, and a culture of collaboration. Additionally, working alongside WRI's country and global teams, you will support the design and implementation of tailored partnership plans targeting international, regional, country and grassroot partners.
• WRI aims to be a trusted partner for change. In this role, you will steer the implementation of the institutional-wide partnerships strategy in support of WRI’s global people, nature, and climate goals.

What will you do:
Build institutional partnership readiness (30%):

• Identify what it takes for WRI to be ‘fit for partnering’ (systems and processes, guidance and professional development, culture, network and connections)
• Develop roadmap to optimize WRI’s partnership capacity, a 3-5 year implementation plan with M&E framework, KPIs and baseline assessment
• Develop guidelines, tools and incentives for effective partnering across all stakeholder types, while protecting the vision and core principles of value based, innovative partnerships
• Operationalize WRI’s partnership typology, a categorisation of WRI’s partnerships based on our purpose, targets and assessment linked to risk and impact

Perform partnerships management and governance (50%):

• Oversee development, and deployment of the partnerships management system which will streamline, coordinate and provide transparency on external stakeholder engagement at country, regional and international
• Be a trusted advisor to new and existing partnerships throughout the partnership cycle; from Scoping and Building, Managing and maintaining, Reviewing and revising, and Sustaining outcomes of partnerships
• Work cross-organizationally to monitor the organization’s partnership portfolio, to identify gaps and potential new opportunities and risks, and to understand those that are delivering significant value to WRI and those that could use some time investment to maximise impact
• Learn and continuously build understanding and capabilities on effective partnering and proposed adjustments to WRI’s partnering approach, systems and culture, as needed
• Maintain regular communication with internal partnership focal points to strengthen coordination and collaboration

Nurture strategic external engagement (20%):

• Conduct analysis of political and economic trends, policy developments, and regulatory changes that may impact WRI’s country engagements, and provide advisory support to teams
• Co-create key strategic multi-partner convenings that advance WRI’s global people, nature, and climate goals, with country and global teams
• Maintain regular communication with external partnership focal points to strengthen coordination and collaboration

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a master’s degree in the field of management, or business administration or another relevant academic discipline
• Experience: You have a minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience working in strategy, program management, international development, or related activities with link to climate or broader environmental issues
• Experience in capacity building in partnership development and growth
• Experience effectively navigating intricate political and economic contexts are essential
• Experience working in developing nations and emerging economies is advantageous
• Ability to be self-directed and work well independently and as part of a geographically and culturally diverse team
• Extensive experience building, managing and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders (donors, high-level champions, partners and internal stakeholders) to inclusively achieve objectives
• Proven ability to lead the coordination and delivery of major events, influence strategies, and international programs
• Polished and professional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Experience, effectiveness, and resiliency working in a fast-paced environment
• Languages: Proficiency in verbal and written English, with French as an added advantage
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization