China Associate, Beijing

Overview

The World Resources Institute ( www.wri.org) is seeking a Beijing-based Associate to join the Finance Center of Excellence (FCE) working on emerging actors in development finance. Through research, analysis and advocacy, the project seeks to direct international financial flows towards more environmentally and socially sustainable investments. The FCE is housed in WRI's Institutions and Governance Program, which works with partners in civil society and government to improve the transparency and accountability of institutions entrusted with environmental decision-making.

FCE focuses on international financial institutions (IFIs) that have been particularly influential in shaping international capital flows in environmentally and socially sensitive sectors. These have traditionally included Multilateral Development Banks, such as the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and large private financial institutions, including those that have adopted the Equator Principles. However, major emerging economies, such as China and Brazil, are increasingly influencing the landscape of international investments by providing funding for high impact projects in environmentally and socially sensitive sectors. FCE's research, analysis and outreach strategies prompt governments, financial institutions, and companies to more systematically incorporate environmental and social standards and climate change considerations into their mainstream lending practices. FCE also seeks to ensure that leading IFIs contribute to global climate mitigation while continuing to apply strong environmental and social safeguard policies in each investment.

Responsibilities

• Work with FCE to engage with Chinese emerging actors in development finance.
• Advance and further develop project level strategies and WRI's institute-wide strategies on how to shift international financial flows to support sustainable development.
• Contribute to research and analysis focused on international lending institutions in China.
• Author and publish new research on the impact of Chinese overseas investments.
• Build relationships and liaise with relevant Chinese government ministries and financial institutions such as policy and private banks.
• Work with key stakeholders to influence debates on environmental and social standards at Chinese financial institutions and companies, as well as at the government level.
• Develop working relationships with NGOs and civil society in both lending and recipient countries.
• Identify opportunities and implement influence strategies for improving standards and safeguards at relevant financial institutions, companies, and government bodies.
• Collaborate with staff within the Institutions and Governance Program, in other WRI programs, and in both the WRI DC and Beijing offices.
• Serve as the in-country expert on emerging actors in development finance for other WRI projects and staff.
• Represent the project at high level external events.
• Fundraise for project.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a relevant discipline, such as development economics, Chinese studies, international finance, public policy, or environmental studies.
• At least 5-7 years relevant work experience.
• Proficiency in English and Mandarin (spoken and written).
• Excellent qualitative, analytical, writing and research skills.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet research.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with teams of individuals and colleagues, including a team who is based in another country.
• Willingness to travel.
• Excellent research and writing skills in English and Chinese.
• Work effectively in teams.

Professional and/or research experience in one or more of the following topic areas is essential:

• Finance and investment, particularly in terms of national financial institutions.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of China, especially relating to the environmental/social impacts of its overseas investments.
• Equator Principles or environmental and social policies and practice of one or more of the above mentioned IFIs.
• International investment treaties, regional agreements or multilateral environmental agreements.

Location

• WRI's Beijing office

Salary and Benefits

• Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Qualified applicants should apply online at www.wri.org/careers.

All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered.

The World Resources Institute ( http://www.wri.org/wri) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people's lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI's policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability. WRI's global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.

About WRI

The World Resources Institute is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI's transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future.

Established in 1982, WRI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization respected globally by policymakers, NGOs, and corporate leaders because of the rigorous quality, balance, and independence of its work. With its think-tank roots, WRI values innovative ideas, working collaboratively, and thinking independently. WRI employees see the results of their hard work and have the satisfaction of making a significant difference in the world.

Currently a $50 million organization with an international staff of approximately 250, WRI works with more than 400 partners in 50 countries. WRI provides objective information and practical proposals for policy and institutional change that foster environmentally sound, socially equitable development.

Values

In its day to day work, WRI is guided by several core institutional values:

Innovation: To lead change for a sustainable world, WRI is creative, forward thinking, entrepreneurial, and adaptive.

Independence: WRI's effectiveness depends on work that is uncompromised by partisan politics, institutional or personal allegiances, or sources of financial support.

Urgency: WRI believes that change in human behavior is urgently needed to halt the accelerating rate of environmental deterioration.

Independence: Our effectiveness depends on work that is uncompromised by partisan politics, institutional or personal allegiances, or sources of financial support.

Respect: Our relationships are based on the belief that all people deserve respect.

Approach

Everything WRI does is built on four key elements:

Focus on Results: WRI organizes all of its work to produce powerful and practical solutions, strategies and tools, policies and partnerships.

Analytical Excellence: WRI identifies problems, drivers of change, economic incentives, and consequences to arrive at comprehensive, incentive-based, practical solutions.

Partnerships: WRI works with scientists, governments, businesses, NGOs, and international institutions worldwide to create incentives and pressure for change.

Communications: WRI fosters change by disseminating their solutions and ideas to targeted audiences.