Senior Communications Specialist for Cities

Job Posting Organization:
World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization founded in 198

• It operates at the intersection of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being, addressing seven critical challenges including climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people and works in more than 60 countries, with offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States. The organization is dedicated to delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to tackle the world's greatest environmental and international development challenges, thereby improving people's lives. WRI collaborates with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create tangible change on the ground. The organization values impact, integrity, independence, partnership, and care, and is committed to advancing gender and social equity in its mission and practices. WRI Indonesia, established in early 2014, builds on WRI's 20-year history in the country and aims to strengthen its impact by expanding its portfolio to include climate, energy, and city programs.

Job Overview:
The Senior Communications Specialist for Cities will play a crucial role in advancing WRI Indonesia’s Cities program mission by developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies. This position is designed to enhance the organization’s thought leadership, influence key stakeholders, and improve its positioning in fundraising efforts. The specialist will be responsible for identifying and addressing key topics in sustainable cities, thereby supporting the Cities program in asserting its position and enhancing the organization’s branding in this sector. This role requires a deep understanding of the cities sector, strategic thinking, and the ability to craft narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. The position holder will report directly to the Senior Manager for Resilience Cities and Transport and will work closely with the Communications Manager to develop effective communication strategies that address challenges and influence key stakeholder segments. The Senior Communications Specialist is expected to proactively engage in programmatic discussions and lead communications planning and initiatives for the program, contributing to the overall mission of WRI Indonesia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Communications Specialist will be responsible for developing, supporting, and managing advanced communications strategies that influence key stakeholders and enhance organizational positioning. This includes conducting in-depth communication analyses to identify the right segments of stakeholders and crafting strategies to engage and influence them effectively. The specialist will lead efforts to position WRI Indonesia’s Cities Portfolio as a thought leader in the cities transition topic, crafting narratives and strategies that challenge opposition and align with organizational goals. Collaboration with program teams is essential to integrate communication strategies that contribute to programmatic goals, including fundraising and advocacy. The specialist will also develop and implement strategies that enhance WRI Indonesia’s visibility and credibility among donors, partners, and the public. Regular insights on the evolving national and global sustainable cities landscape will be provided, along with assessments of WRI Indonesia’s Cities portfolio communication and branding baseline. The specialist will produce communication analytics and reports to provide insights into stakeholder engagement and strategic opportunities, using data-driven insights to refine communication strategies. Establishing a network with media and civil society organizations aligned with WRI Indonesia’s Cities vision is also a key responsibility, as well as representing WRI Indonesia at public-facing events relevant to cities transition.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as communications, marketing, business, engineering, social, environmental or urban studies, journalism, or English language or literature, with a Master’s degree preferred. A minimum of 5 years of proven professional experience in strategic communications is required, with a strong emphasis on analytics, stakeholder engagement, and urban environmental issues. Exceptional communication skills are necessary, particularly in writing, editing, and messaging for diverse audiences, enabling the creation of professional-quality communication products from complex technical and research material. A strong background in strategic thinking is essential, along with the ability to craft and implement sophisticated communication strategies that align with organizational goals. Candidates should demonstrate experience in developing and implementing communications strategies that influence key stakeholders and enhance organizational positioning, as well as the ability to identify communications-related reputational risks and devise strategies to manage them. The ability to oversee multiple communications projects involving multi-unit teams is also important.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as communications, marketing, business, engineering, social, environmental or urban studies, journalism, or English language or literature. A Master’s degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in strategic communications within the context of sustainable cities.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in strategic communications, particularly with a focus on analytics, stakeholder engagement, and urban environmental issues. This experience should demonstrate a proven ability to develop and implement effective communication strategies that influence key stakeholders and enhance organizational positioning. International experience or prior work in a global organization is preferred, indicating familiarity with diverse cultural contexts and communication practices.

Languages:
Fluency in both Bahasa Indonesia and English is mandatory, with a strong emphasis on written and spoken communications. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effectively engaging with diverse audiences and stakeholders in the context of sustainable cities. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a fixed-term employment agreement, which includes a 3-month consultancy period prior to the start of the fixed-term employment. The salary will be commensurate with experience and skills, and a competitive and comprehensive benefits package will be offered. Candidates will have access to the WRI global network and opportunities to join or get involved in different working groups. The workplace strives to prioritize diversity and inclusion, and candidates must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position. This is a locally engaged position, and Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply. Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a test and/or submit two writing samples to demonstrate their skills and suitability for the role.