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. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

This is a part time role working at 0.6 FTE/24 hours per week.

The initial contract period will run until 31 December 2026 with the possibility of extension.

About the Program

The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) is a self-governed Coalition of organisations 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.

As FOLU enters a phase of strategic sharpening, maintaining a coherent, differentiated and high-quality global brand across a distributed coalition is critical. This requires disciplined alignment between global positioning and country-level communications, stronger extraction and elevation of impact stories, and continued refinement of FOLUs distinctive role within the food systems ecosystem.

As the Strategic Communications Manager , you will lead this next phase of institutional strengthening.

Job Highlight:

In this role, you will ensure that FOLU operates as one coherent, strategically positioned global brand across all geographies by connecting national narratives with global food systems challenges, shifts and moments .

You will focus on:

Embedding and enforcing FOLUs global messaging and brand standards across C ountry P latforms

Elevating country-level impact into compelling global and donor-facing narratives

Strengthening strategic communications capability and maturity across the C oalition

Sharpening FOLUs differentiated positioning within the global food systems landscape

Delivering a small number of high-leverage external visibility moments annually .

This is a senior, influence-based leadership role requiring strong political judgement, coalition diplomacy, and institutional authority. You will set standards and dir ec tion centrally while working through influence and partnership with country teams.

The role will work closely with 1.5 FTE central communications, country communications leads (with dotted reporting lines), and limited external agency support.

What you will do:

Brand Coherence & Governance:

Embed and operationalise FOLUs global message house across C ountry P latforms.

Strengthen brand standards, messaging consistency, and editorial quality

Ensure a clear and consistent institutional identity globally and nationally.

GlobalCountry Integration:

Provide strategic dir ec tion and guidance to communications leads in Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and emerging platforms in China and Brazil

Align country communications plans with global strategic priorities

Elevate high-impact country stories into global narratives that demonstrate systems change and institutional additionality

Foster a culture of strategic communication across the C oalition.

Differentiation & Institutional Positioning:

Work with senior leadership to refine and articulate FOLUs differentiated value proposition to funders and senior policymakers

Distinguish FOLUs positioning relative to research institutions, advocacy NGOs, campaign groups and finance platforms.

High-Leverage External Influence:

Identify and lead 12 major global visibility opportunities to deliver on FOLUs strategic value

Advise senior leadership on positioning for major international moments (e.g. COPs, G7/G20, Climate Weeks, UN processes)

Shape high-level thought leadership outputs (e.g. flagship op-eds, speeches, executive briefings)

Focus on influence and agenda-shaping rather than volume of media coverage.

Strategic Advisory & Risk Management:

Provide senior counsel to the Executive Dir ec to r and senior leadership team on reputational risk and political positioning

Monitor shifts in global food systems discourse and recommend proactive narrative positioning

Ensure communications supports long-term institutional resilience and funding sustainability

Develop and implement crisis communication plans to effectively manage and mitigate potential risks to FOLUs reputation.

Team & Leadership:

Lead and mentor central communications staff

Strengthen strategic planning cycles and prioritisation

Ensure efficient use of agency support

Embed performance metrics focused on influence, coherence, and institutional strength.

What will you need:

Experience: You have experience international strategic communications , ideally within food systems, climate, biodiversity or sustainable development

Demonstrated experience at a senior level influencing senior executives, external thought leaders, and institutional positions

Supervisory and budget management experience

Strong and innovative grasp of media relations strategy; understanding of digital, broadcast, and social media; with a proven track record of securing high level placement of stories and quotes in top media outlets

Demonstrated experience working with complex partnerships, coalition dynamics and multi-stakeholder governance

Demonstrated relationship management skills across diverse geographies a n d cultures

Exceptional writing and editorial capability, with the ability to transform technical research into compelling narratives

Strong political judgement and reputational risk assessme n t skills

Experience producing high-level thought leadership materials for senior audiences

Experience managing communications teams, supported by the ability to coach others and elevate institutional capability

Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to support visa applications.

Potential Salary:

The salaries listed below are based on full time working hours (40 hours per week). The salary for this role will be prorated as it is a 24 hour per week role.

If based in the Netherlands: 76 ,000 95 ,000 (excluding 8% vacation allowance)

If based in the UK: 67 ,000 – 84 ,000

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 20 March 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 peoples 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:

WRIs mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earths 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.