Research Associate

World Resources Institute

Program Overview:

WRIs Forests and Land Program aims to conserve and restore forests for benefits as diverse as cultural identity, biodiversity, carbon capture, water security and wood supply. We work with civil society, governments, and the private sector to ensure forested landscapes are governed fairly and managed sustainably. We support radical transparency and open access to the latest data and cutting-edge monitoring technology, so that all actors can be held accountable for actions that impact forests. We partner with governments, entrepreneurs, investors, and forests experts to build the social and financial conditions for conserving forests and restoring degraded ecosystems. And we produce groundbreaking research to shed light on important forest issues and aid in better decision-making. This position will be a part of WRIs Forest Data Partnership Program (FDP) but will be based out of the Land and Carbon Lab (LCL). LCL's goal is to expand global monitoring capabilities beyond forests into grassland, agriculture, and other land covers to catalyze land-based actions, policies, incentives and governance reforms needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.


This position will begin as remote due to Covid-19 but will be a hybrid model of remote and in-office.

Job Summary:

In this role, you will serve as the main data liaison for the USAID Forest Data Partnership project, integrating with Global Forest Watch and Land & Carbon Lab research teams. The USAID Forest Data Partnership is a five-year partnership coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and brings together leading organizations and private- sector partners to address the challenge of improving land use data, including FAO, NASA, Servir, Unilever and Google. You will become an expert on existing and emerging data sets on commodity-linked deforestation and restoration on different scales In addition, you will oversee a number of internal and external research projects that leverage core land cover/land use change data sets and support the development of blogs and research publications related to those projects. You will advise and support the use of satellite-derived data through three pillars: (1) Data and Research, (2) Online Platforms & Tools, and (3) Engagement for Impact.

Job Responsibilities:

* Work with partners of the Forest Data Partnership to identify data and technology solutions for commodity deforestation and monitoring restoration in three key regions: Amazon Basin, West Africa and Indonesia.
* Evaluate the quality and fit-for-purpose of externally produced forest and land cover change data sets in comparison with other similar data sets, both for Forest Data Partnership and Land & Carbon Lab.
* Work with core research partners on satellite-derived forest and land cover change products for Land & Carbon Lab and liaise with core partners and other researchers, governments, and companies that monitor forests and land use change to understand synergies and share lessons learned
* Assist in refining land monitoring priorities for Land & Carbon Lab, integrating with the cross-cutting research team for monitoring forests and land.
* Support the development of blog posts and other publications related to research projects and analysis of land cover/ land use data sets
* Work with the website development teams on the best way to display satellite-derived products
* Provide support for core data sets, including responding to technical questions, writing technical blogs on new data sets or areas of confusion, presenting at webinars and events, etc.

Job Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

* Minimum of 5 years of relevant, full-time work experience
* Masters degree in related field or a bachelors degree with two years of additional relevant work experience
* Familiarity with data sources, methods, and best practices for classifying forest, monitoring restoration and land cover change from satellite imagery
* Demonstrated experience with Esri ArcGIS software, Google Earth Engine, and/or other tools for viewing and analyzing spatial data
* Previous experience managing research projects and contributing to peer-reviewed publications
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Ability to present complex technical information in a clear and concise manner
* Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work with minimal oversight Desired Qualifications
* Understanding of data gaps and challenges related to forest monitoring, particularly in the tropics
* Understanding of deforestation and land-use change patterns in different regions, and previous experience visually interpreting drivers of change from satellite imagery
* Foreign language skills (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesian) a plus
Requirements:Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.

Potential Salary:$79,000 - $106,000 if based in United States. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

Please submit a resume with cover letter. Applicants mustapply 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.
• Long-term 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, aswell 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 worlds greatest environment and international development challenges and improve peoples 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:

WRIs mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earths 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, 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.

Please see job description

PI189802667