Back Lead, Urban Transportation Decarbonization

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office based in our Washington, DC office. Initially, this is a one-year position, and extension is based on funding and performance.

Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

NUMO, the New Urban Mobility Alliance, is an alliance organization that works to leverage the momentum of significant urban disruptions to build more just, sustainable and joyful cities. NUMO is hosted by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. For more information, visit www.numo.global

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Director of NUMO, you will work with a senior NUMO staff member who is a part-time senior advisor with the US Department of Transportation. Your focus will be to advance transportation decarbonization efforts while centering equitable access for underinvested and marginalized communities in the U.S. This will include supporting cities (local government, community-based organizations, advocates) and states develop better on-ground projects and policies by providing capacity building support, technical assistance, analysis, policy recommendations, and tools/guides. You will play a lead role in fundraising for these efforts. You will be supported by a research and projects analyst and associate and should expect to work with NUMO’s communications lead.

What will you do:

Manage key programs (35%):

• Design and manage the execution of key projects and efforts including: - Capacity building and technical assistance projects to support stakeholders in cities and MPOs (local government, transit agencies, community-based organizations, advocates etc.)
• Research projects including developing analysis and tools to help urban stakeholders make the link between different transport and land-use policies and their impact on emissions, equity, and other outcomes
• NUMO’s federal policy program including making recommendations to federal agencies (e.g. the US Department of Transportation) on pursuing policy and funding strategies that would reduce emissions and increase equitable access for all

  Fundraise for key programmatic goals and new initiatives (30%):

  • Identify opportunities for and contribute to major fundraising initiatives with a special focus on raising funds for new projects and areas of work as described above
  • Identify and develop teams and proposals to relevant federal or state funding programs
  • Support efforts to align foundations with a broad range of transportation strategies (e.g. advocating for support for active mobility, shared mobility, and transit)
  • Support management of existing funder relationships

    Initiate new projects, collaborations, and knowledge products (25%):

    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

    ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

    • Help develop a strategy and program(s) to align policies and funding of key states in the U.S. with climate and equity goals
    • Help expand NUMO’s sustainable transport program to integrate land-use reform and housing as necessary strategies for reducing emissions and improving affordability and livability in cities
    • Develop opportunities to use NUMO’s tools and guides to prioritize centering community voices and priorities in the development of projects and initiatives to leverage federal and state infrastructure funding
    • Work with NUMO’s communications lead to develop content to influence decision makers and inform NUMO partners

      Guide the work of the project team (10%):

      • Guide NUMO’s team of analysts and associates on project execution
      • Manage new hires and interns as appropriate

        What will you need:

        • Education: You have completed a Master’s degree in a relevant field or additional commensurate experience
        • Experience: You have a minimum of 10 years of deep expertise in decarbonization strategies, rooted in equitable outcomes, with a focus on land-use reform and sustainable transportation in the U.S.
        • You have a minimum of 5 years' experience leading multi-year projects to support U.S. cities and states on transportation infrastructure, policy, and regulations for emissions reduction and equity goals
        • You have experience leading efforts to raise grants (six figures) for sustainable transportation, land-use reform, and urban decarbonization programs in the U.S.
        • You have a proven track report of applying to, winning, and managing U.S. federal and state grants (seven figures)
        • You have experience designing and leading projects with complex teams e.g. teams cutting across multiple organizations
        • You have experience managing internal teams to deliver externally facing programs, research, and engagement projects
        • You have been invited to participate in and lead cross-organizational coalition efforts
        • You have led the publication of peer-reviewed reports, tools, and analysis of the decarbonization potential of various urban transportation and land-use policies and strategies
        • You have strong links with online portals focused on urban sustainability (e.g. Bloomberg City Lab, Streetsblog USA etc.) and have been invited to publish on these platforms
        • Languages: Fluent in English with additional languages a bonus

          Potential Salary: US salary range is between 116K and 139K USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

          How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 3 June 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

          You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

          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

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