The People and Ecosystems Program (PEP) at the World Resources Institute (WRI) is seeking a natural resource economist to join a team working on economic valuation of coastal ecosystem goods and services in the Caribbean. The effort currently focuses on the valuation of coral reefs and mangroves in the Dominican Republic (DR), Jamaica, Belize and the eastern Caribbean, but could expand to other countries. The economist would contribute to the refinement of an economic valuation methodology and tool to guide valuation of coral reef and mangrove-associated goods and services, and would guide its implementation. WRI seeks a highly organized, detail-oriented individual with good analytical skills. Experience in ecosystem valuation and competency in Spanish (oral and written) is essential.

The resource economist will report to the Senior Associate for Coastal Ecosystems and will be part of WRI’s Mainstreaming Ecosystem Services Initiative (MESI). MESI’s goal is to reduce ecosystem degradation by helping governments, businesses, and multilateral development banks integrate ecosystem services into their decision-making. It will achieve this by providing information and tools that connect healthy ecosystems with the attainment of economic and social goals and by creating economic and policy incentives for restoring and sustaining ecosystems.

Information on WRI’s coastal ecosystem projects can be found at reefsatrisk.wri.org.

Responsibilities

The natural resource economist will work with partners in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica to:

• bring additional economic expertise to the economic valuation project.
• obtain, review, and utilize published studies on economic valuation;
• refine and adapt a coral reef and mangrove economic valuation methodology to the local context;
• refine and improve an economic valuation tool to guide valuation;
• provide training to local partners on the valuation methodology and tool;
• collect data to support the valuations;
• work with partners to implement the methodology;
• develop a technical summary report on the valuation results;
• develop materials for outreach to government officials and the public in the DR and Jamaica;
• communicate with project partners on project activities and upcoming events
• develop work plans for partner inputs to the project;
• organize and implement workshops to obtain input on the valuation method, gather data, and review valuation results;
• prepare reports to donors;
• develop materials for the web

Other responsibilities will arise, depending upon project needs and staff aptitude.

Qualifications

This position requires a responsible, organized, innovative and adaptive individual with sound written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish, and good analytical abilities. Applicants should have a graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in natural resource economics or marine and coastal economics, and an interest in coastal ecosystems. Experience in economic valuation is essential.

Essential Characteristics and Skills:

• Good knowledge of natural resource economics and valuation of ecosystem goods and services;
• Experience in economic valuation
• Solid organizational, analytical, and research abilities;
• Good oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish (fluent);
• Good math skills;
• Ability to set priorities and achieve deadlines;
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances;
• Patience and a sense of humor.

Other Desirable Skills:

• Good knowledge of and interest in coastal ecosystems - particularly coral reefs and mangroves;
• Knowledge of regional economics;
• Experience in programming (such as Access, Macros, and HTML)
• Knowledge of the Caribbean region and cultures.

Salary & Benefits

The position will be at the Research Analyst or Associate I level, depending upon experience. WRI offers a comprehensive benefits package, which can be viewed at http://archive.wri.org/joblist/benefits.cfm.

Send resume or CV and cover letter to:

No phone calls please. Qualified applicants only. WRI only accepts applications for current job openings.