Vice President for Research & Policy Engagement

Description

Position Summary :

Climate change is the single greatest environmental threat of our time, yet narrow environmental actions and technical solutions alone will be insufficient to protect and advance our communities.

Finding solutions to climate change requires systemic economic transformation on a global scale and using the best information and ideas available to make smart and equitable decisions that benefit people, public health, and the environment and economy.

Resources for the Future (RFF) makes that possible.

Consistently ranked by RePEc as the #1 institution in the world for research on environmental and energy economics and policy, RFF is a leader in applying innovative economic expertise to solving climate change.

Our staff, from economists and other researchers to communications, fundraising, and administrative professionals, work each day to make RFF the most widely trusted source of research insights and policy solutions that help lead to a healthy environment and a thriving economy.

Our work brings the brightest economic thinking to bear on our future, shaping many of the world’s most successful environmental decisions and policies over the past 70 years.

Today, we achieve our impact by focusing on interconnected priorities of designing net-zero-emissions strategies and reducing risk while building resilient communities.

Partnering with the President and CEO, the Vice President (VP) for Research and Policy Engagement provides strategic leadership and management of the research and policy engagement program at RFF.

The VP for Research and Policy Engagement plays a key role in formulating and implementing RFF’s strategic priorities and acts as a catalyst for new ideas and initiatives that strengthen and increase the impact of RFF;

integrate research programs, communications, and fundraising; and continue to develop RFF as a great place to work. The VP serves as a visible external representative of the organization and a member of our collaborative executive leadership team.

This position is located in Washington, DC.

Position Responsibilities :

Research Strategy and Leadership

• Lead and collaborate with staff on setting priorities and identifying areas of emerging research that serve RFF’s mission, engage and energize research staff and partners, and connect to key stakeholders such as policymakers and government officials, funders, corporate leaders, NGOs, and community organizations.
• Engage externally as a thought leader and speaker on RFF’s core issues and promote broader public engagement by leveraging RFF’s research and communications teams.

These engagements include relevant external decision processes and deliberations in the public and private sectors, along with RFF’s role as a convener for discussion of important policy issues.

Strengthen and expand RFF’s networks and partnerships with universities, think tanks, and other energy, climate, and policy organizations.

Use these efforts to expand RFF’s capacity and ability to connect to a wide range of audiences and to expand diversity and inclusion in the field of environmental economics and policy engagement.

Collaborate on the effective acquisition and management of both unrestricted and restricted funds through active participation in the cultivation and stewardship of partners, supporters, and donors.

This collaboration includes working with individual researchers, research management staff, and fundraising staff at RFF, alongside external individuals and staff at government agencies, foundations, and corporations.

Function as an effective and collaborative member of RFF’s leadership team.

Research Talent Management

• Lead the research management team in the hiring, appointment, management, professional development, and mentoring of a diverse, skilled, and collaborative research department, including full-time, part-time, and affiliated research positions.
• Oversee performance reviews, compensation, and promotion processes for research staff.
• Effectively manage a research staff that prizes creative scholarship, teamwork, and open internal communication. Set clearly defined and measurable goals both to improve research operations and to encourage staff accountability for excellence.
• Foster a culture of integration, collaboration, innovation, and inclusion between the research staff and other departments.

Research Support

• In collaboration with the finance and administration department, oversee and ensure the effective and efficient operation of administrative support for research.
• Lead the research management team, in collaboration with other departments, to manage processes for the identification of research funding opportunities, solicitation, acquisition, administration, and completion.
• Oversee the program budget and, with other members of the executive leadership team, institution-wide financial priority-setting.
• In collaboration with other members of the executive team, actively engage with RFF’s Board of Directors. This includes leading the research management team to provide briefing materials and design research components of Board meetings.

Personnel Management

• Staff positions that currently report directly to the VP include : Associate Vice President for Research and Policy Engagement Senior Director for Research and Policy Engagement 5 Senior Research Fellows
• The VP leads the Research Management Team, comprised of the Associate Vice President, Senior Director for Research and Policy Engagement, the Senior Manager for Research Operations, and a Research Staff Director.

This team collectively manages research talent, with all researchers reporting to one member of the team, and collaborates with other departments on research support functions.

Qualifications : Education

Education

An advanced degree in the social sciences is preferred, and a PhD in economics, public policy, or a closely related discipline is desirable.

Other advanced degrees are acceptable, if coupled with experience in policy and a desire to work with economists and other social scientists.

Experience

The ideal candidate will be a recognized leader in environmental and / or resource economics and / or policy, deeply respected for their substantive contributions to the field, independence of thought, and integrity of character.

They will be credible across the nexus of research and policy and will demonstrate not only analytical creativity and rigor, but also an understanding of how to bridge research with policy engagement and impact.

They will have a deep respect for the importance and validity of objective, nonpartisan, high-quality research and, ideally, an impressive and visible body of work.

They will be an inspiring, supportive, and generous leader committed both to an inclusive and collaborative work environment and to equitable and diverse hiring.

They should recognize and value a diversity of research methods, including those that may differ from their own, while understanding and recognizing the difference between evidence and opinion.

In addition, the Vice President must be an able and disciplined manager capable of steering the RFF’s research program toward its strategic focus, delivering on the program’s commitments, and sustainably expending the program’s financial and other resources.

Above all, they must be able to direct, promote, and safeguard RFF’s reputation for integrity, impartiality and impactful, evidence-based research.

People are RFF’s greatest asset. We value the unique contributions of each member of RFF’s community. Because of this, we encourage individuals to apply even if they do not meet every requirement listed within this job description.

RFF may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications.

If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Application Procedures :

All applicants should use RFF’s on-line application process at . The required items are a letter of application describing interest in the position focusing on the relevant area(s) noted above and a resume / curriculum vitae.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Should you experience any difficulty in applying online, or if you have other questions about the position, please email

Benefits :

• Medical, Dental, Vision through Cigna
• 35 hour work week
• Flexible summer hours (4 day work week June-Sept)
• Flexible work arrangement policy (hybrid work)
• 11 paid holidays
• 4 weeks PTO to start, increases to 5 weeks after 5 years, in addition to 15 paid sick days per year
• State of the art fitness facility on site and free to all employees, with weekly classes
• Deli on site in building
• Parking on site, metro and bus stations within walking distance
• RFF contributes up to 15% of your salary to a 403(b) retirement account, depending on employee age, in addition to a 401(a)
• Commuter benefit plans (pre-tax metro and parking)

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, some standing, walking, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items such as books and papers is required.

Working Conditions

The work may involve everyday light risks and discomforts, which may require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, and training rooms, etc.

The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position description may not describe all duties, responsibilities and skills associated with this position. It is intended to portray the major aspects of the job and is not meant to be all inclusive.

Other duties or skills may be required.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

RFF (Resources for the Future) is committed to the letter and spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in hiring and employment, nor in the administration and other programs.

Visit our page to find out what it’s like to work at a world-class, policy-oriented research organization in the heart of Washington, DC.