Manager, Diplomatic Engagement

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington, D.C. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the Program:

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 260 members, including more than 140 developed and developing countries and more than 110 institutions. The NDC Partnership exists to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement by strengthening the capacity for and collaboration around country-owned climate and development action aligned with NDCs.

This role will support the facilitation of the NDC Partnership's 2026-2030 Work Program, with a focus on evidence-based outreach. The NDC Partnership leverages its network to further amplify members' voices and drive political engagement for NDC implementation and collaboration, including engagement with non-traditional audiences and under-represented stakeholders. Members help strengthen access to and the impact of finance by drawing on evidence-based insights the voices of member countries, sharing lessons and success stories from NDCs. This expertise among members drives political engagement for the development of NDCs to be submitted in 2030. Members access opportunities to drive strong messages, position themselves as champions, and deliver momentum and buy-in. Through evidence-based outreach, the Partnership amplifies coordinated support to countries and intelligence and exchange among members and key stakeholders. The Manager will play a critical role in enabling this outreach.

Hyperlink to program: NDC Partnership

Job Highlight:

The Manager for Diplomatic Engagement plays a central role in advancing the NDC Partnership. The Manager will follow complex political dynamics, track and analyze new developments relevant for the NDC Partnership, and support the NDC Partnership in strategically identifying and utilizing conducive opportunities to advance its mission in a fast-changing global landscape.

This position will play an important role in support of the NDC Partnership leadership – the Support Unit Global Director, the Co-Chairs and Steering Committee – in setting and advancing the NDC Partnership's political outreach. The position is anchored in evidence-based outreach – one of three pillars of the NDC Partnership's 2026–2030 Work Program – through which programmatic work is amplified.

The Manager will work to ensure that opportunities are translated into action and that insights are fed into outreach, communication efforts, and engagement in diplomatic fora, thereby increasing visibility, strengthening influence, and informing decision-makers. They will support efforts to ensure that the NDC Partnership is championed at the highest levels and that evidence-based messages are disseminated to support informed decision-making and contribute to shaping international discourse and practice.

The Manager will monitor and analyze international, regional, and sectoral policy and legislative developments; support relationships with government actors, UN agencies, and external partners; deliver timely insights and recommendations; and produce high-quality written materials and other products that inform strategic decision-making and external communications. Reporting to the Chief of Staff and working closely with and supporting the Global Director, this is a cross-cutting role. The Manager will advance the strategic direction put forward by the Co-Chairs and Steering Committee, with guidance from the Support Unit Management team, and collaborate with staff situated in all Support Unit workstreams.

What you will do:

Policy Research and Analysis (30%)

• Monitor national, regional, and international political and policy developments relevant to the NDC Partnership's mission
• Track and review key reports and decisions form intergovernmental bodies, UN agencies, governments, and NGOs.
• Offer timely guidance to colleagues on policy narratives, details, and issue area developments, identifying emerging trends, opportunities and challenges in the national and global policy landscape.
• Provide analyses that shapes strategic positions and recommendations to inform outreach by the NDC Partnership's leadership, including efforts to guide long term transformation.

Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement (60%)

• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Support a broad range of relationships, including potentially with UN entities, international organizations, international financial institutions, governments, philanthropy and other partners on coordination and policy matters.
  • Draw on insights and best practices to inform Steering Committee briefings.
• Briefings
  • Draft, contribute to and propose ideas for strategic papers – policy memos, reports, fact sheets, briefers – and other materials for the NDC Partnership's membership, leadership, and external communications.
  • Review and synthesize complex information from news, academic research, and government filings into clear, actionable formats.
  • Translate learnings from the Partnership into relevant summaries for distinct audiences and moments to influence change.
  • Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop strategic messaging and talking points for the broader membership and specifically for those in a position of influence in diplomatic engagements and at key events.
• Event Engagement
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant events affecting the NDC Partnership's mandate and policy outreach objectives
  • Help identify opportunities to share key messages from NDC Partnership in advance of key political moments.
  • Support planning and execution of in-person- and virtual policy events, roundtables, and briefings.
  • Provide support for convenings, coalitions, and working groups on specific policy topics.

Knowledge and Data Management (10%)

• Maintain internal knowledge, trackers, and shared resources feeding input from policy research and relevant stakeholder engagement.
• Strengthen systems for tracking policy developments and written output, ensuring preservation of key documents.
• Contribute to the maintenance and expansion of a database of key contacts.

What you will need:

• Education: Advanced degree in international policy or equivalent, with a background in policy research, analysis, advocacy, or related fields.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years experience in bilateral government relations and/or diplomacy, with a strong understanding of the multilateral climate and development architecture and processes. A proven track record of synthesizing qualitative and quantitative information into impactful briefs and decisions papers.
• Experience working in multi-stakeholder initiatives, engaging with government officials, and collaborating with international organizations to advance policy objectives.
• Comprehensive familiarity with UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor content to diverse audiences.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams.
• Professional demeanor.
• Commitment to NDC Partnership mission.
• Languages: Fluence in English, both written and verbal.
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to support visa applications.

Potential Salary:

$96,750-$121,905

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by September 4, 2026. Internal applicants should submit their application through the Jobs Hub portal in Workday. External applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

What we offer:

• 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
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure.
• If based in the US: Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution.

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values:

WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's 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: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our People team carefully reviews all applications.

Annex – Danish Input

Concept Note

Secondment

Background

The NDC Partnership (NDCP) has been a valuable Danish partner since its establishment in 2016. Denmark has pledged an additional top-up grant to the current contribution (2023-30), part of which will be (dedicated) to a Danish political secondment (2026-30). The Independent Mid-Term Review (2024) stated that NDCP engagement needs to move up the political ladder (Gaining Political Traction) and align and support key development (and political) priorities of developing countries. It underlined that climate mitigation and adaptation are both technical and political processes. Therefore, it expressed it is vital for the Partnership to be present in international political discussions and exchanges to unfold its full potential across the table. The upcoming Danish secondment will support this process of gaining political traction and strengthen the Support Units ability to amplify the messaging of the Partnership in political fora.

Scope of Work

The Secondment will refer to the NDCP Support Unit's Chief of Staff (if relevant), and will be placed in WRI in Washington D.C. On aday-to-day basis, the Secondment supports the implementation of NDCPs New Work Programme (2026-2030) and other Support Unit work plans, in close coordination with the Support Unit.

The scope of work can include but may not be limited to:

• Supporting Support Unit management, Director, Co-Chairs, and other NDCP champions;
• Focus on strategic political traction of NDCP, e.g.:
  • Drafting (for approval) written products, such as letters, declarations etc. that advance NDCPs messages;
  • Suggesting and designing (for approval) platforms, events, contexts for NDCP positioning;
  • Proposing (for approval) outreach and connections that will advance NDCPs political traction.

Qualifications and Skills

• Academic background in political sciences/social sciences at Master level;
• Mid-level staff member with a minimum of 5 years of experience from working in complex organisational set-ups with multi-stakeholder involvement;
• Diplomatic skills;
• Fluency in spoken and written English.