Data Ethics & Governance Analyst

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month intheoffice and will be based in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this be eligible for this positionin US you must be a resident of DC Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

This is a 18 month position.

About the Program:

Data Lab is WRIs core data innovation and product delivery unit. Our mission is to harness advances in data and technology to help our community improve lives protect nature and ensure just transitions. We do this by helping WRIs programs and countries offices accelerate innovation and deliver products that translate research into action. Data Lab is hosting this position as part of the202628 Civic Science Fellows program. The Civic Science Fellows program is building a network of leaders committed to ensuring that all people shape and benefit from science technology and innovation. The program brings together researchers community leaders public-interest organizations funders and other practitioners to develop new collaborations between science communities and civil society. Through this 18-month position the Data Ethics & Governance Analyst will contribute to WRIs work on data ethics and governance while participating in the broader Civic Science Fellows learning community.

Job Highlight:

In this role you will research and help develop practical approaches to emerging questions in data ethics and governance with a particular focus on data sovereignty in the age of AI and benefit-sharing in open data and open-source systems. You will combine research stakeholder engagement and practical project delivery to help translate these questions into recommendations for WRI policies guidance and practice.

You will be supported by colleagues in WRIs Data Lab Research Data & Impact core function and staff across WRI as well as external experts community stakeholders and the Civic Science Fellows network.

You will report to the Data Labs Data Management Lead.

What you will do:

Research and Analysis on Data Ethics and Governance (30%)

• Design and conduct research on emerging data governance issues including data sovereignty in the context of AI and governance models for open data and open-source systems.

• Conduct desk research and synthesize evidence on topics such as shared ownership attribution rights to control or approve data use access to products derived from community data and revenue or benefit-sharing.

• Analyze findings in their relevant social institutional and policy context and translate them into clear options and recommendations.

Stakeholder and Community Research (25%)

• Plan and conduct interviews and other research engagements with experts practitioners community representatives and relevant WRI teams.

• Support inclusive approaches to research and engagement particularly where data governance decisions affect communities that generate steward or are represented in environmental and conservation data.

• Document interview findings areas of agreement and disagreement emerging questions and implications for further research or action.

Data Strategy and Project Delivery (20%)

• Contribute to WRI data governance management and delivery meetings and working sessions connecting research findings to practical organizational needs.

• Support the design and implementation of data governance guidance processes pilots or other work products based on the research.

• Maintain project plans priorities documentation and deliverables and communicate progress and emerging issues to relevant internal stakeholders.

Civic Science Fellowship Learning and Field-Building (25%)

• Participate actively in the 202628 Civic Science Fellows cohort including shared learning peer exchange virtual Fellows Labs and periodic convenings.

• Co-design the Fellowship project with WRI and refine the work as learning emerges over the 18-month term.

• Share lessons from WRIs work with the Civic Science Fellows community and bring relevant approaches perspectives and practices from the cohort back into WRI.

• Produce a final set of findings and recommendations that captures the projects primary activities insights and learning and can inform future work at WRI and in the wider civic science field.

What you will need:

• Education:You have a completed bachelors degree in a relevant field such as public policy social science environmental studies information science data or technology studies law or a related discipline. Additional relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• You have a minimum of 3 years of full-time relevant professional experience.
• Experience conducting research or managing projects from initial scoping and research design through engagement synthesis and communication of findings.
• Experience in one or more areas related to data governance data ethics responsible data practices technology governance or digital policy
• Experience conducting stakeholder user expert or community research and translating findings into requirements recommendations guidance or other practical outputs.
• Experience working with data-focused projects or organizations and the ability to collaborate effectively with both technical and non-technical colleagues.
• Experience with environmental climate conservation or natural-resource data is desirable.
• Experience with Indigenous data sovereignty open-data or open-source governance community engagement benefit-sharing or AI governance is especially desirable.
• A legal or policy background related to data technology intellectual property privacy or community rights is a plus.
• Languages: You have verbal and written proficiency in English. Additional language proficiency relevant to WRIs global work is 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 US:$69000 - $82000

If located in another country office salary will be determined by local market conditions.

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by September 18 2026. Internal applicants should submit their application through the Jobs Hub portal in Workday. External applicants mustapply 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.

The successful candidate should be available to begin the position in time to participate in the Civic Science Fellows cohort beginning in late September 2026.

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 LatinAmericaand theUS
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission drivenorganizationwith access to varied learning and training opportunities
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of ourwork
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future ofWRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible workinghours
• Generous leavedays that increase with tenure.
• If based in the US:Medical Coverage Dental Coverage Vision Coverage retirement plan access and employer contribution.

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 ourdata expertise and global reach to influence policy andcatalysechangeacrosssystems like food land and water; energy; and cities. Our2000 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.