FOLU Senior Manager, Research, Data and Quality Assurance At World Resources Institute

Job Summary
As FOLU moves into Phase 2 implementation, we seek to develop, deliver and disseminate knowledge generation products globally, and thus requires increased oversight and quality assurance processes for all products bearing the FOLU logo. Working closely with WRI’s Research, Data, and Innovation (RDI) team, you will oversee a rigorous quality assurance process for all knowledge products bearing the FOLU (and WRI) logo and support members of the Coalition in their research projects, from preparing the research plan to polishing a final version. You will work to promote excellence in FOLU’s research and to ensure that it aligns with and advances FOLU’s reform agenda, coalition partner independent research, and Coalition objectives. You will work to accomplish these goals through four primary avenues: publication/data product review and quality control, staff mentoring and development, research planning, and promoting synergies.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you can be based at WRI’s office in London, UK, The Hague or Washington, DC once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee the peer review process for selected draft publications, provide feedback to authors on how to strengthen their research, and help guide reviewers and authors as needed
• Review publication plans. Provide early feedback to authors on producing effective, rigorous, groundbreaking content for their publications that is fit for key audiences, including policymakers, businesses, multilateral development organizations, etc.
• Develop (in coordination with FOLU partners) a research strategy for FOLU
• Communicate with staff across the Coalition on the status of publications and proactively check in to ensure that procedures are being followed
• Review FOLU publications and provide sign-off to ensure internal and external review process for knowledge products is complete
• Help research staff identify external experts who can effectively review work
• Mentor and provide support to FOLU Coalition members on policy research design, data interpretation, and analytical issues
• Help research staff organize brown bags on their research methodologies.

Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environment studies/science, agriculture/food systems, international development, economics or related area required. PhD a plus
• Minimum 7 years of relevant full-time work experience
• Knowledge of food and land use systems as well as nutrition and/or health
• Excellent writing skills demonstrated knowledge of qualitative or quantitative research methods and ability to communicate those skills to colleagues
• Track record of writing and overseeing high-quality research products that translate into policy
• Sound judgment and the ability to uphold high quality standards. Strong sense of skepticism and the ability to diagnose and articulate weaknesses in research
• Demonstrated ability to give constructive feedback and clearly explain the reasoning behind decisions
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with teams of experienced professionals
• Proficient English skills are a must; additional language skills are a plus
• Must be legally able to work in the country in which you would be located (UK, Netherlands, USA).

Potential Salary **
60,000 – 73,000 pounds if based in UK.** Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

Program Overview
The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) is a self-governed Coalition of organizations and individuals working collaboratively to achieve a shared objective: the urgent transformation of food and land use systems to deliver a better future for people, nature and climate. FOLU supports science-based solutions and helps to build a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities to unlock collective, ambitious action. FOLU’s Growing Better report recommends an integrated reform agenda along ten critical transitions to deliver positive outcomes for environment, health, inclusive development and food security, ensuring food and land use systems support delivery of globally agreed sustainable development, climate and biodiversity goals. The Coalition’s collective leadership is provided by a Core Partners Group comprised of: The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), EAT, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), SYSTEMIQ, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), World Farmers’ Organization (WFO), and the World Resources Institute (WRI) (where this position will be anchored).

WRI Overview
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 in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

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.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China , Europe , India , Indonesia , Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

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.