Overview:

WRI China Sustainable Cities and Transport program is seeking a dedicated, analytical, results-oriented Research Assistant for transport projects in WRI China office. The major responsibility of the Research Assistant is to help implement WRI’s sustainable transport projects in China. The successful candidate will join a team that will work in a cross-programs and multidisciplinary platform in WRI, with Chinese governmental agencies, research organizations, and universities to (i) identify policy options for urban transport in Chinese cities towards low-carbon and environmental sustainability cities; (ii) liaise with city and national partners and deliver on-the-ground iconic projects; (iii) conduct research on relevant urban\transport planning, transport economic and policy studies; and (iv) strengthen capacity for addressing transport problems in Chinese cities.

Responsibilities:

Working with team members and external partners, the successful candidate will:

• Conduct desktop research on sustainable transportation policies, and deliver on-the-ground projects in pilot cities.
• Track and survey state-of-the-practice policies on sustainable transport/urban development and explore the applicability to different Chinese cities.
• Support the development of practical policy tools and guidelines on sustainable transport/urban development for municipal and national
• Coordinate and work closely with global and local experts throughout the project delivery.
• Liaise with implementation partners and maintain communications with local technical teams on a regular basis, schedule and set up policy dialogue meetings, take/circulate meeting minutes, and track follow-ups, as necessary.
• Help organize external events, workshops, conferences, and other project dissemination or capacity building
• Assist in other ongoing projects, as needed.
• Assist with producing, proofreading, and editing research reports, press releases, and blogs in both English and Chinese.
• Prepare, process and monitor sub-agreements to partners and vendors, and process payments.
• Provide administrative supports to the project as necessary.
• Support other activities as needed.

Qualifications:

• Master degree (preferably in transportation planning/policy/engineering, urban planning/studies, or related fields) with an excellent academic record.
• Minimum 1 year work experience in urban transportation field, experience in transportation planning\urban planning would be a plus.
• Excellent oral and written Chinese and English, and outstanding inter-personal skills.
• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Strong academic ethic.
• Strong team spirits, and ability to handle multiple priorities, take initiative, and deliver under tight deadlines.
• Willingness to travel and to concentrate on field work as needed.

Final candidate will be required to take a writing test.

Reporting

Direct supervisor: Transport Director

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package

Duration: Full-time

Location: Beijing, China

To Apply: Qualified applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. Please include a cover letter with your application.

Application Deadline: Open till filled.

About WRI China:

WRI China was established in 2008 as WRI’s first international office. Currently, WRI China has more than 30 full-time staff members working on climate change, energy, cities, transport, water, and finance issues. We engage with businesses, policymakers and civil society at the local, national and international levels to advance transformative solutions for sustainable development and “ecological civilization”. WRI China recently registered as a foreign NGO under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

About WRI

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address six critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water and sustainable cities.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of nearly 700 people with work spanning 50 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States.

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.