Head of International Policy, FOLU

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in London or the Hague.

This will be a one year contract with the possibility of extension.

About the Program:

The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) is a self-governed Coalition of organisations and individuals working collaboratively to achieve a shared objective: the urgent transformation of food and land use systems to deliver a better future for people, nature and climate. FOLU supports science-based solutions and helps to build a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities to unlock collective, ambitious action.

Job Highlight:

As the Head of International Policy, you will accelerate ambition and action at the multilateral policy level on the transition to sustainable food systems. The role will build on FOLU’s existing history of engagement including the UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture and Resilient Food Systems, the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation and recent momentum from COP30, such as RAIZ and the Belem Declaration on Hunger and Poverty to accelerate multilateral action. Key expected moments in 2026 include UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia in August and COP31 in Turkey among other engagements.

The role will sit within FOLU´s Knowledge and International Engagement Team and will work closely with the research and business engagement branches of the team, as well as coordinating FOLU´s International Partners engaged in international policy work such as WBCSD, GAIN, WFO, SDSN and Systemiq, coordinating closely with FOLU Country Platforms, to co-create and deliver the strategy. You will report to the Director of Global Insights and Engagement.

Thought leadership and strategy (25%):

• Deliver a strategy and annual program of work for the FOLU international policy team, aiming to accelerate multilateral policy action on the food systems transition
• Identify policy windows to influence the food systems agenda, leveraging FOLU policy vehicles such as the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems and RAIZ
• Position FOLU to take advantage of those policy windows through knowledge products and engagement that foster multi-country and multi-partners collaboration

Fundraising and Development (30%)

• Ensure the workstream is adequately resourced, identifying opportunities to strengthen resourcing by engaging potential donors, together with our Head of Development and the Director of the team.
• Develop and contribute to compelling funding proposals, and support the bidding process including drafting responses and resubmissions, and facilitating contracting.
• Support internal and external donor reporting and quality assurance across FOLU´s international policy work.

Delivery (35%):

• Lead key project management functions for the international policy workstream including developing work plans, managing staff and ensuring the delivery of timely, high quality outputs on budget
• Leverage targeted analysis to inform policy decisions, working closely with the knowledge team to maximize the impact of the results on the ground. Ensure delivery of high-profile international engagement opportunities including building alliances of actors, planning and hosting events, and defining strategic communications products and campaigns
• Working closely with other FOLU Secretariat teams (including the Countries and Communication Team), and maintain productive coordination across the International Partners, Country Platforms and our Ambassadors in the delivery of our international policy workstream
• Measure impact of our food policy activities in terms of accelerating the food systems transition at multilateral level, and ensure donor reporting according to FOLU standards and procedures

External engagement and communications (10%):

• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with relevant policymakers as well as any non-state actors relevant to the delivery of the international policy goals
• Engage with global and regional networks, academic institutions, NGOs, and other partners to build impactful alliances to support policy engagement and research dissemination
• Leverage your network to support critical policy objectives and build FOLU´s influence in the global multilateral space.

What you will need:

• Education: You have a completed Master’s degree in relevant field (agronomy, international relations, economics, development)
• Experience: You have experience within government, UN agencies, academia, public or private health or business, with a proven track record of policy analysis and development in a relevant field
• Experience in relationship management, including at a senior level in various contexts across multiple countries
• Experience leading small teams towards the delivery of objectives and fostering staff wellbeing and growth across diverse cultural contexts
• Demonstrable understanding of food and land use systems, with recognized expertise on regenerative transitions and land degradation restoration
• Proven analytical skills including previous academic contributions or high-level analysis
• Knowledge of blended finance systems and macroeconomic policy preferred
• Modelling expertise desirable
• Flexibility to travel internationally up to 25% of the time
• Languages: Proficiency in written and spoken English with Portuguese language skills preferred
• Requirements: WRI is unable to sponsor visas in the UK, existing right to work in the UK is required for people wanting to be based there.

Potential Salary:

If based in the Netherlands: €68,000 – €86,000

If based in the UK: £54,000 - £68,000

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 4 January 2026. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

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.

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our People team carefully reviews all applications.