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Programme Lead/Sr Economist/Research Fellow: Coalition for Urban Transitions, NCE Special Initiative

The UK’s leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues.
About us
ODI (www.odi.org.uk) aims to inspire and inform policy and practice to reduce poverty by bringing together high-quality applied research and practical policy advice.
The New Climate Economy (NCE), the flagship project of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, recently launched a new partnership known as the Coalition for Urban Transitions along with WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) as the first major international initiative to make the economic case for better urban development globally. See: http://www.coalitionforurbantransitions.org.
ODI is seeking a full time person to lead its global work programme at a senior level. This is an exciting, high profile position which will provide the successful candidate with an opportunity to develop their professional skills, build their networks, and engage with senior leaders. The person will play a key leadership role on key projects, undertake innovative research and analysis, and influence the international debate through public affairs activities including publications, media engagement, speaking at conferences, and providing advice to governments and business at a senior level.  The post holder will also have the opportunity to develop their own research interests within the team’s broad areas of focus, including designing research projects, obtaining funding and managing resources for delivery.
The role will involve conducting and managing high-quality and innovative ongoing research projects across the NCE partner institutes and helping to conceptualise, design and deliver the NCE Cities 2016-2018 global work program. This work programme currently falls across three main themes:
  1. National policy levers to implement a New Climate Economy
  2. Financing the Urban Transition
  3. Economic and business case for a new model of urban development, including transforming Urban Mobility
The research workstream is complemented by a country workstream supporting selected countries at the national level to improve the quality of decision-making on urban transitions to meet national economic, social, and environmental objectives. The person may also help drive aspects of this work programme.
The successful applicant will join a world class team of economists and policy and business experts across the NCE, WRI, and C40 network. The person will initially be responsible for ensuring that the Coalitions 2016 research products meet rigorous research standards and are delivered on time and to budget. He or she will be expected to present Coalition findings at a variety of external meetings including conferences, summits, and donor pitch meetings. The successful candidate will also have some programme management responsibilities.
The role will provide policy advice and support public affairs programmes, broadly within the Institute’s overall strategy and with the aim of inspiring and informing policy. It will also involve leading policy research and advisory projects, generally cross-country and cross-institutional, engage with policymakers in research and advisory processes, and disseminate results.
About you
  • A degree and post-graduate qualification in economics, environmental economics, public policy or another relevant discipline (in-depth knowledge of urban economics and urban finance/investment issues is strongly preferred).
  • Strong quantitative, analytical research skills combined with ability to translate into policy advice for decision makers.
  • Programme management experience, including a demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate across teams and research partners in multiple countries;
  • Ability to translate research ideas into fundable projects
  • Capacity to write clearly and concisely.
  • Experience of working with government and philanthropic donors, including an ability to translate research ideas into fundable projects.
  • Prior supervision and mentorship of one or more junior staff.
  • Detail-oriented and organised, with an ability to juggle multiple, competing priorities
  • Experience in policy-oriented research, demonstrated by a track record of publications and reports.
  • Time management skills, including managing a complex and varied workload
Closing date: 18 August 2016
Interview date: Week Commencing 29th August 2016
For more information, please download an application pack from our website via the Apply button. If you are experiencing difficulties downloading, please telephone 020 7922 8234 or email recruitment@odi.org.uk.
ODI is an equal opportunities employer
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