Manager, Buildings Decarbonization

This position can be based in WRI Brazil, WRI Colombia, WRI Mexico. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission for the position. WRI is unable to sponsor work authorization for this role.     Through its network of global and local experts, the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities supports city-, regional- and national-level change for people and the planet, focusing on integrated solutions to new and long-standing urban challenges. The Ross Center’s Built Environment Program is committed to accelerating decarbonization and resilience of buildings, places, and connecting infrastructure. We are looking for a Manger in decarbonization of built environment to support the implementation of the Subnational Climate Action Leaders’ Exchange (SCALE) Buildings policy accelerator. The SCALE multipartner, global initiative accelerates climate action in cities through integrated planning and implementation and by fostering multi-level dialogue and coalition building. As part of the initiative, the SCALE Sustainable Buildings Accelerator aspires to partner with national and subnational jurisdictions over the next year to accelerate actions contributing to the Buildings Breakthrough initiative and global targets to rapidly reduce worldwide operational and embodied carbon emissions from buildings in the next decade. The SCALE accelerator aims to mobilize resources to jurisdictions that have taken on ambitious commitments and initiatives to decrease carbon emissions from the buildings sector. In so doing, the initiative will (a) support jurisdictions’ local priorities with respect to sustainable development of the built environment and (b) substantially accelerate global progress on the buildings sector mitigation action, which is critical for keeping a safe climate future within reach. The accelerator will work with 10 national and subnational governments to help their staff plan and execute policies and projects in the buildings sector and track progress against agreed goals. Activities include building energy efficiency, whole lifecycle of carbon assessment mainstreaming, innovative finance and stakeholder engagement. This is a fixed-term, 12 months long role, with possibility to extend subject to additional funding.

Job Highlight:

Working with SCALE implementing partners and reporting to WRI’s Global Lead for Built Environment, you will drive the engagement, research, development and implementation of a strategy for providing support on accelerated buildings’ decarbonization pathways to subnational and national jurisdictions globally, predominantly in the Global South. We are looking for a passionate individual and a subject matter expert to facilitate partnership coordination and knowledge exchange, provide day-to-day management of activities and contribute to the development of high-quality knowledge products. You will be supported by a 4 – 6 people multidisciplinary team at WRI and you will work in collaboration with teams across WRI programs and the wider SCALE initiative.

What you will do:

Technical and research activities :

• Develop a strategy on multi-level governance for buildings sector decarbonization
• Conduct analysis on the barriers and enabling conditions for buildings sector climate mitigation action in selected jurisdictions in Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia and North America and communicate internally and externally on project activities and results
• Conduct research on policy instruments to integrate buildings decarbonization efforts in strategic subnational and national processes (including but not limited to building codes, standards and regulations, NDCs and others)
• Provide technical assistance for policy design and implementation of priority actions, integrated delivery of decarbonization roadmaps and/or innovative financing instruments

Coalition building and stakeholder engagement :

• Map, directly engage and provide tailored support to government and non-government stakeholders for multi-level buildings decarbonization action in priority regions
• Develop policy recommendations and main messages for capacity building in the sector at subnational, national and global level
• Develop case studies to support and inform policy dialogues with non-governmental stakeholders on data, technical assistance, climate finance, and other support levers towards achieving local and global buildings decarbonization goals. 

What you will need:

Education:

• Graduate degree or equivalent professional experience in built environment, urban and regional planning, urban economics, environmental studies or other related fields

Experience:

• You have 7+ years of progressive experience working with climate research within NGOs, private sector, research centers or international organizations:
• Expert knowledge of technical and policy aspects of buildings sector decarbonization
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, with demonstrated ability in managing teams, and collaborating with project partners (e.g. city officials and NGOs)
• Effective project management approach, including managing project teams and multiple parallel tasks Experience working across different cultures, languages and time zones
• Experience working directly and coordinating engagements with subnational or national governments
• Experience in developing qualitative and quantitative research on built environment, climate change, urban development, or related fields
• Experience producing and writing policy guidance documents, research reports with recommendations on climate, urban planning, public policy or related fields.

Languages:

• You have verbal and written proficiency in English and Spanish. Portuguese is desirable but not required.

Source: https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/job/o6Ikufwm