Global Director, Culture & DEI NGO Job WRI

Job Highlight

• In this role, you will help inspire andmobilize WRI’s global culture and DEI agenda, turning ambition into practical, measurable action across the institute. You will work in close partnership with Country Directors, People & Culture leaders, colleagues across regions, affinity groups, and managers to foster inclusion, belonging, and leadership accountability, while helping embed 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, and to feel valued, respected, and able to thrive and do their best work.
• 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.
• You will be supported by the wider Learning, Development and Culture team, the Global Human Resources Network (GHRN), and cross-functional partners across the institute.
• You will report to the Global Director of Learning, Development, and Culture, and you will 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 our country offices while supporting a connected, values-led culture across the wider WRI network.
• Be a strategic partner to People and Culture leadership on organizational-wide culture change, ensuring global coherence with regional and 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, including 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, and manager capability across the institute.
• Provide strategic advice and practical guidance to managers, teams, and People & Culture colleagues on culture and DEI-related matters connected to team effectiveness, ways of working, and people processes.
• Support the design and facilitation of interventions, dialogues, and resources that strengthen leadership accountability and help teams build more inclusive, respectful, and high-trust environments.

Global engagement, governance, and partnerships (20%)

• Lead DEI and culture-related staff engagement initiatives, such as critical conversations, culture surveys, inclusive observances, listening forums, and communities of practice, in ways that deepen staff voice, connection, and shared ownership, and ensure learning is translated into action.
• Partner with internal networks such as our country culture and DEI ambassadors, affinity groups, and working groups to strengthen staff voice, shared ownership, and collective responsibility for advancing culture and DEI priorities across WRI.
• Build relationships with Country Office People and Culture leads, Centers of Excellence , and other internal partners to support implementation and alignment across geographies.
• Monitor external trends and benchmark practice to keep WRI’s culture and DEI approach current, credible, and relevant for a global mission-driven organization.

Team leadership and program management (20%)

• Line manage and develop the Culture Advisor and the DEI Manager, setting clear priorities, fostering growth, and ensuring high-quality delivery.
• Oversee culture and DEI-related projects, budgets, and external partnerships to ensure effective delivery, value for money, and alignment with WRI priorities.
• Establish practical governance, reporting, and communication rhythms that keep everyone informed and enable timely decisions.
• Contribute to the broader leadership of the Learning, Development, and Culture team, helping build a collaborative, high-performing function with strong global impact.

What you will need

Background and experience:

• A background in psychology, organizational development, human resources, or a related field would be helpful. We welcome candidates with a broad range of professional, community, and lived experiences relevant to culture, equity, inclusion, and organizational change.

Experience:

• You bring extensive relevant experience in global DEI, organizational culture, organizational development, people strategy, or related fields, gained within complex, multi-geography, multicultural organizations.
• You have substantial experience developing and implementing organization-wide culture and DEI strategies and translating them into practical, measurable initiatives and outcomes.
• You have experience working across different countries, cultures, and contexts, with the judgment to balance global consistency with local relevance.
• You have experience embedding equitable and inclusive practices into core people processes such as talent acquisition, performance management, employee engagement, and leadership development.
• You have experience designing and facilitating DEI and culture-related learning, dialogue, and change interventions for staff, managers, and senior leaders.
• You have experience using qualitative and quantitative data, staff insight, and where relevant lived experience to understand culture and inclusion challenges, shape priorities, and inform action.
• You have experience leading complex projects, working across functions and geographies, and managing budgets and external partners or consultants.
• You have experience line managing and developing staff in a global or distributed team environment.

Languages:

• You have verbal and written proficiency in English. Additional language skills relevant to WRI’s global footprint are an asset.

Requirements:

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

Potential Salary:

• If based in the Netherlands: €87,000– €109,000 excluding 8% holiday allowance
• If based in Kenya, Ethiopia or Rwanda, salary will be determined by local market conditions. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply

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