World Resources Institute
Global Director, Culture and DEI
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Head of Global Culture and DEI Strategy
This is a hybrid role that requires 8 days per month in the office and may be based in a WRI office in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, the Netherlands, or London, subject to local market conditions and existing work authorization at the time of application.
About the Team
The People and Culture function at WRI exists to help make WRI the best-run NGO in the world, so that every colleague can do their best work in service of our mission. Working across a global, matrixed organization, the team strengthens leadership, culture, employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and people systems in ways that balance global consistency with local relevance.
You will sit within the Learning, Development, and Culture team. The role plays a pivotal part in helping shape a culture where:
- Our values are lived every day
- Inclusion and belonging are shared responsibilities
- People across all identities feel valued, respected, and able to contribute fully
Job Highlight
In this case-led hybrid role, you will:
- Help inspire and mobilize WRI’s global culture and DEI agenda, turning ambition into practical, measurable action across the institute.
- Work in close partnership with Country Directors, People & Culture leaders, affinity groups, and managers to foster inclusion, belonging, and leadership accountability, while embedding equitable and culturally competent practices into the way we work.
This is an opportunity to:
- Help create the conditions for every person at WRI to show up as themselves, whatever their identity.
- Ensure all colleagues feel valued, respected, and able to thrive in pursuit of our mission.
You will:
- Manage and develop the Culture Advisor and DEI Manager and help build an enterprise-wide approach to change that supports WRI’s strategy, mission, and values.
- Be supported by the Learning, Development and Culture team, the Global Human Resources Network (GHRN), and cross-functional partners.
- Report to the Global Director of Learning, Development, and Culture and be an active member of the GHRN group of senior leaders.
What You Will Do
Culture and DEI strategy development and execution (35%)
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of WRI’s global culture and DEI strategy, aligned to WRI priorities, values, and people strategy.
- Translate strategy into a clear portfolio of initiatives, milestones, and measures of success (including our DEI maturity matrix), using data and staff insight to prioritize actions and assess impact.
- Identify organization-wide culture and inclusion risks, themes, and opportunities, and develop practical interventions that strengthen belonging, equity, and organizational effectiveness across all country offices while supporting a connected, values-led culture.
- Be a strategic partner to People & Culture leadership on culture change, ensuring global coherence with regional/local adaptation.
Embed inclusive practices in people systems and leadership (25%)
- Partner with colleagues across People & Culture to embed equitable, inclusive, and culturally competent practices into core people processes:
- Recruitment
- Onboarding
- Performance management
- Leadership development
- Employee engagement and recognition
- Work with the Director of Learning, Development, and Culture to shape learning solutions that build:
- Inclusive leadership
- Cultural competence
- Manager capability across the institute.
- Provide strategic advice and practical guidance to managers and teams on:
- Culture/DEI-related team effectiveness
- Ways of working
- People processes
- Support the design and facilitation of interventions, dialogues, and resources that strengthen:
- Leadership accountability
- Inclusive and high-trust environments.
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Global engagement, governance, and partnerships (20%)
- Lead DEI and culture-related staff engagement initiatives such as:
- Critical conversations
- Culture surveys
- Inclusive observances
- Listening forums
- Communities of practice that deepen staff voice, connection, and shared ownership.
- Partner with internal networks:
- Country culture and DEI Ambassadors
- Affinity groups
- Working groups to strengthen staff voice, ownership, and collective responsibility for advancing priorities.
- Build relationships with:
- Country Office People & Culture leads
- Centers of Excellence
- Internal partners to support implementation and alignment across geographies.
- Monitor external trends and benchmark Global DEI practices to keep WRI’s strategy current, credible, and relevant.
Team leadership and program management (20%)
- Line manage and develop the Culture Advisor and DEI Manager, setting clear priorities, fostering growth, and ensuring high-quality delivery.
- Oversee:
- Culture/DEI-related projects
- Budgets
- External partnerships to ensure effective delivery, value for money, and alignment.
- Establish practices for governance, reporting, and communication to keep decision-making timely and informed.
- Contribute to the broader leadership of the Learning, Development, and Culture team, building a collaborative, high-performing function with strong global impact.
What You Will Need
Background and Experience
- Helpful: A background in psychology, organizational development, human resources, or a related field.
- Welcomed: Candidates with candidate’s professional, community or lived experiences in culture, equity, inclusion, and organizational DEI change.
Experience Requirements
You bring extensive relevant experience in:
- Global DEI, organizational culture, or organizational development.
- Developing and implementing organization-wide strategies, then translating them into practical initiatives and measurable outcomes.
- Working across multiple countries, cultures, and contexts while balancing global consistency with local relevance.
- Embedding equitable practices into core processes, such as:
- Talent acquisition
- Performance management
- Employee engagement
- Leadership development
- Designing and facilitating change interventions (e.g., LEAD training programs in partnership with senior leaders).
- Using data and lived experience to understand culture and inclusion challenges, shape priorities, and inform actions.
- Managing cross-functional, cross-geography projects, including internal budgets and external partnerships.
- Line managing/Developing staff in a global/distributed team.
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Languages
- Verbal and written proficiency in English required.
- An asset: Additional language skills relevant to WRI’s global locations.
Requirements
- Existing work authorization required where the position is based (visa sponsorship unavailable).
Potential Salary
(Brute salaries, before deductions)
- Based in the Netherlands: €87,000– €109,000 (excluding 8% holiday allowance).
- Based in the UK: £85,500 – £106,000.
- Based in Kenya, Ethiopia, or Rwanda: Salary determined by local market conditions (commensurate with experience and compensable factors).
How to Apply
📝 Classic application period: Applications accepted until 15 July 2026.
- Internal applicants: Submit through the Jobs Hub portal in Workday.
- External applicants: Apply via the WRI Careers portal.
Note: Applications may close early if a strong set of candidates is received.
What We Offer
✅ Global network: Exposure to 2,000+ passionate colleagues across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the US. ✅ Mission-driven organization: Opportunities for:
- Career impact
- Continuous learning and training ✅ Diverse, inclusive workplace: A commitment to advancing gender, race, and social equity in a culture of respect. ✅ Hybrid working: Flexible work location, hours with ✅ Generous leave benefits: Increase with length of tenure. ✅ Pension plan
About Us
World Resources Institute (WRI) works to improve people’s lives, guarantee nature’s survival, and maintain Earth’s climate. We are a global research organization that leverages our expertise in areas like:
- Food, land, and water
- Energy
- Cities
Our 2,000+ team operates across key regions to influence policy and catalyze systemic change.
Mission & Values
🌱 Vision: To move society toward sustainable, equitable practices for present and future generations. 🌟 Our shared values guide us:
- Independence
- Integrity
- Impact
- Partnership
- Care
We foster an environment where:
- Every colleague feels welcomed, respected, and fully engaged
Culture Commitment
🌍 At WRI, we champion a culture of inclusion, equity, respect. This is a collective responsibility to ensure diverse identities thrive.
Diversity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration without regard to: Race • Ethnicity • Religion • Sex • National origin • Age • Caste • Marital status • Sexual orientation • Gender identity/expression • Disability • Protected Veteran status.
WRI is an equal opportunity employer.
Accessibility & Accommodations: Need assistance submitting an application? Contact us via email at wri@wri.org or call the HR Support team at +202-729-7851.
For other opportunities, read the [WRI Careers Policy]([link placeholder]).
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