, Programme & Policy ,

This position will be hybrid requiring a few days per week in office. You can be based in a WRI Africa office in the Republic of Congo, Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

In the Congo Basin, WRI works with governments, businesses, and civil society to sustain forests for future generations, strengthen the rights of indigenous people and local communities, curb deforestation, and help to restore degraded forests . We aim at offering countries the prospect of enhanced rural economies while conserving and restoring forest ecosystem services. Forest, People, Climate (FPC: https://www.forestspeopleclimate.org/) is a collaborative of philanthropic partners, civil society, and community-based organizations seeking to halt and reverse tropical deforestation while supporting just, sustainable development. Hosted by the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA), FPC focuses on equitable and enduring solutions that safeguard tropical forests and support those stewarding them, in particular Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendants (IP, LC & AD) in tropical forest countries. We do so by identifying strategic priorities that must be addressed to end deforestation, mobilize funding for those priorities, connect with and strengthen networks, and ensure funding flows to where it is most needed for success. Since 2022, WRI has designed and facilitated a Monitoring & Learning (M&L) framework for FPC, which functions as a service to the field so partners can assess progress of collective efforts, harness critical data and knowledge, inform and strengthen their approaches, and ultimately ensure success. FPC’s strategy for the Congo Basin aims to strengthen regional, national, and local civil society voices to enhance the land and forest rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities; restore degraded forests; promote sustainable and inclusive rural economies; and advocate for appropriate policies to safeguard forests, and their biological and cultural diversity. This strategy encompasses five countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Republic of Congo). Following the development of its M&L framework, through a highly participatory process integrated closely with strategy development, WRI is focusing on collecting baseline data with a focus on the most critical needs identified by the field.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Congo Basin Strategy and Engagement Lead, you will work closely with WRI’s Senior Manager for FPC (based in WRI-US) and the WRI Africa PMEL Manager. You will provide technical assistance to backstop impact assessment research design and data collection, as well as strengthen the M&L focus within WRI in the Congo Basin and contribute to reflection and learning tools for FPC as a whole. This includes managing the baseline assessment for all FPC-related indicators tracked in the Congo Basin, determining priority areas of focus, and contributing to data collection for indicators in cross-cutting FPC strategies including Strategic Communications and IP LC & ADs, and help design and implement research methods for other inter-regional work alongside colleagues in WRI-Brasil, WRI-Indonesia, and FPC partners. Additionally, you will contribute to building a M&L community of practice within FPC, working closely with colleagues in CLUA and other collaborative members, with an aim to build M&L and research capacity amongst Congo Basin organizations, movements, and allied networks.

You will have the support of the PMEL WRI Africa management team and the Global Managing for Results team, and the WRI PMEL Community of Practice in the development of PMEL systems for WRI in the Congo Basin. The Managing for Results (MfR) team ensures WRI is equipped to understand if its work is contributing to the longer-term positive changes WRI intends to make in the world and fosters a culture of learning and accountability. Both teams are institutional resources, ensuring that WRI’s programmatic teams are meeting internal and external standards for good practices in planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

What will you do:

M&L Support to FPC: Design and Supervise FPC Baseline Assessment (50%):

Project management and partner engagement:

• Work together with WRI teams and local organizations in selected Congo basin countries to develop a detailed work approach for baseline assessments on “first investment” indicators
• Backstop the selection process for lead partner CSOs in selected countries for the baseline assessments alongside WRI-US and CLUA colleagues
• Manage relations with selected CSOs throughout the end of the baseline assessments
• Ensure all work reflects gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and integrates FPC principles of “shifting power” and trust-based philanthropy, so that research is inclusive, led, and collectively owned by those who have historically been excluded from funding

Research and analysis:

• Develop primary data collection tools (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, semi-structured interview guides, etc.) and support for implementation (e.g., training enumerators, developing sampling methodology, mentoring partners, etc.), primary data cleaning, analysis and reporting protocols
• Co-lead data analysis, contribute to the design of knowledge management and learning tools such as dashboards and convenings, and ensure that evidence effectively feeds into iteration of FPC strategies
• Lead the consultation(s) of national stakeholders on research protocols and validation of preliminary results of the baseline assessments
• Transform and translate baseline data findings into clear, strategic recommendations

Strengthening FPC M&L, with an emphasis on theories of change, impact assessment, reflection and learning:

• Propose revised M&L plans with target values, data needed for tracking each indicator, how, when and where to collect data, roles and responsibilities, and costs
• Work with WRI and FPC communications and engagement colleagues to translate the data into simple, powerful messages that resonate with our key audiences, including civil society, social movements, and other key stakeholders in the Congo Basin
• Document knowledge gaps and evidence needs identified by the field. Formulate and refine learning questions that can be addressed in FPC learning activities and in future evidence efforts as FPC scales

Institutional Support (50%):

• Support the finalization and operationalization of WRI’s theories of Change for the Congo Basin including through the development of PMEL plans, results frameworks, baseline data collection and indicator tracking
• Support the work planning, performance reporting and lesson learning in the Congo Basin
• Develop and review consolidated M&E frameworks and plans
• Develop indicators and indicator definitions for the Congo basin per Pillar (WRI Africa generates actionable knowledge across three strategic pillars: vital landscapes, thriving and resilient cities, and institutional and economic transformation)
• Design data collection and analysis tools for the identified indicators
• Design learning frameworks and organize leaning events such as pause and reflect moments for WRI Congo basin using the existing projects and programmes
• Collaborate with and support the Global Managing for Results (MfR) team to enhance PMEL practices and culture across WRI in the Congo Basin, including participation in the PMEL Community of Practice
• Organize and provide training in MEL for WRI staff in the Congo Basin with a view to developing local MEL capacity
• Support the integration of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion in the Congo basin M&E framework.

What will you need:

Education: You have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, or fields related to the management and governance of natural resources

Experience: You have 6+ years of relevant work experience, including impact assessment, research, and PMEL

Experience with impact assessments, setting up Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), including use of mixed-methods research (qualitative and quantitative) to assess project impacts

Working knowledge of forest protection and inclusive development in the Congo Basin, and demonstrated ability to speak to multiple audiences these issues

Experience and commitment to working with civil society and social movement leaders, including Indigenous Peoples and other local communities

Experience providing PMEL technical support in large, international organizations

Experience integrating Gender Equity and Social Inclusion and a demonstrated commitment to justice and equity work

Experience developing theories of change and M&L plans, designing and tracking indicators, and reporting and sharing monitoring data

Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously

Experience communicating complex concepts across formats (e.g. PowerPoint, Word documents, emails, videos)

Experience developing and managing relationships with colleagues and consultants to work collaboratively both online and in person

Familiarity with DevResults, VISIO, MIRO, PowerBI, Asana, and SharePoint is desirable

Familiarity with GIS, data visualization, and/or statistical software is desirable

Languages: You have verbal and written proficiency in English and French

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

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

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by the date of 2 April 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

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 to 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
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure.

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

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.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation,

Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.

, Apply now , Added 15 hours ago – Updated 7 hours ago – Source: wri.org