The World Resources Institute WRI Data Ethics & Governance Analyst 2026: $69,000–$82,000 Salary in Washington, DC opportunity is open to professionals interested in data governance, responsible technology, digital policy, data ethics, and the social implications of artificial intelligence.
The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is hosted by the World Resources Institute’s Data Lab as part of the 2026–2028 Civic Science Fellows program.
This is a full-time, 18-month position with a hybrid working arrangement requiring approximately 8 days per month in the office.
For candidates based in the United States, the advertised salary range is $69,000–$82,000, depending on experience and other compensable factors.
The application deadline is September 18, 2026.
WRI Data Ethics & Governance Analyst 2026: Overview
Organization: World Resources Institute
Position: Data Ethics & Governance Analyst
Location: Washington, D.C., United States
Work Schedule: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Office Flex / Hybrid
Office Requirement: 8 days per month
Duration: 18 months
Job Requisition ID: 2026-JR100458
Salary: $69,000–$82,000 for U.S.-based candidates
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
Program: Civic Science Fellows 2026–2028
Team: WRI Data Lab
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience
Experience: Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience
Language: English proficiency required
The listing is currently active and was posted on September 4, 2026.
About the World Resources Institute
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization working across environmental, economic, and development issues.
The Data Ethics & Governance Analyst will work within WRI’s Data Lab, the organization’s core data innovation and product-delivery unit.
The Data Lab focuses on using advances in data and technology to help WRI’s global community improve lives, protect nature and support just transitions.
Its work helps WRI programmes and country offices accelerate innovation and develop data products that translate research into practical action.
What Is the Civic Science Fellows Program?
The position is being hosted as part of the 2026–2028 Civic Science Fellows program.
The program is designed to build a network of leaders working to ensure that people and communities help shape and benefit from developments in science, technology and innovation.
It brings together participants such as:
- Researchers
- Community leaders
- Public-interest organizations
- Funders
- Practitioners
The aim is to strengthen relationships between science, communities and civil society.
Through the 18-month fellowship period, the Data Ethics & Governance Analyst will contribute to WRI’s work while also participating in the wider Civic Science Fellows learning community.
Purpose of the Data Ethics & Governance Analyst Role
The role focuses on emerging questions in data ethics and governance, particularly as technologies such as artificial intelligence change how data is collected, controlled, shared, and used.
The analyst will conduct research and help develop practical approaches in areas including:
- Data sovereignty
- AI-related data governance
- Open data
- Open-source systems
- Benefit-sharing
- Community rights
- Responsible data use
The successful candidate will combine research, stakeholder engagement and practical project implementation to help turn complex ethical and governance issues into recommendations for WRI policies, guidance and internal practices.
Research and Analysis Responsibilities
Approximately 30% of the role focuses on research and analysis relating to data ethics and governance.
The analyst will be expected to design and conduct research on emerging data-governance questions.
Topics may include:
- Data sovereignty in the context of artificial intelligence
- Governance models for open data
- Open-source systems
- Shared ownership of data
- Attribution
- Rights to control or approve data use
- Access to products derived from community data
- Revenue-sharing
- Benefit-sharing
The analyst will also synthesize evidence and interpret findings within broader social, institutional and policy contexts.
The goal is to convert research into practical options and recommendations.
Stakeholder and Community Research
Around 25% of the position focuses on stakeholder and community research.
The successful candidate will plan and conduct interviews and other research activities with:
- Experts
- Practitioners
- Community representatives
- WRI teams
- Other relevant stakeholders
The role places particular emphasis on inclusive research where data-governance decisions affect communities that generate, manage or are represented within environmental and conservation datasets.
The analyst will document:
- Interview findings
- Areas of agreement
- Areas of disagreement
- Emerging questions
- Implications for future research
- Potential actions
This makes the role relevant not only to technical data professionals but also to candidates with strengths in qualitative research, policy and stakeholder engagement.
Data Strategy and Project Delivery
Approximately 20% of the position involves data strategy and project implementation.
The analyst will participate in WRI meetings and working sessions involving:
- Data governance
- Data management
- Data delivery
- Organizational policy
- Practical implementation
The successful candidate will help connect research findings to WRI’s operational needs.
Responsibilities may include supporting the design and implementation of:
- Data governance guidance
- Processes
- Pilot projects
- Internal tools
- Work products
The analyst will also maintain project plans, priorities, documentation and deliverables while communicating progress and emerging issues to internal stakeholders.
Civic Science Fellowship Activities
A further 25% of the role is connected to participation in the Civic Science Fellows learning community.
The analyst will participate in:
- Shared learning
- Peer exchange
- Virtual Fellows Labs
- Periodic convenings
- Collaborative learning activities
The analyst will also help co-design the fellowship project with WRI and refine the work as new lessons emerge.
At the end of the assignment, the successful candidate is expected to produce a final set of findings and recommendations covering the project’s activities, insights and learning.
Education Requirements
Applicants should have a completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
Examples listed include:
- Public Policy
- Social Science
- Environmental Studies
- Information Science
- Data Studies
- Technology Studies
- Law
- Related fields
WRI also notes that additional relevant work experience may be considered in place of a degree.
This creates some flexibility for candidates who have strong professional experience but followed a non-traditional education path.
Professional Experience Required
Applicants should have at least:
3 years of full-time relevant professional experience
Relevant experience includes conducting research or managing projects from initial scoping through:
- Research design
- Stakeholder engagement
- Evidence synthesis
- Communication of findings
Candidates should clearly demonstrate how their past work relates to the specific governance and research responsibilities of the position.
Data Governance and Ethics Experience
WRI is looking for candidates with experience in at least one area related to:
- Data governance
- Data ethics
- Responsible data practices
- Technology governance
- Digital policy
Candidates should also have experience translating stakeholder, user, expert or community research into practical outputs such as:
- Requirements
- Recommendations
- Guidance
- Policies
- Frameworks
This makes the position particularly suitable for people working at the intersection of technology, policy and social impact.
Experience With Data-Focused Projects
Applicants should also have experience working with data-focused organizations or projects.
The candidate must be able to collaborate effectively with both:
- Technical colleagues
- Non-technical colleagues
This is important because data governance often involves legal, policy, research, engineering, programme and community stakeholders.
The role therefore requires the ability to explain complex topics in accessible language.
Desirable Environmental and Climate Experience
Experience with data relating to:
- Environment
- Climate
- Conservation
- Natural resources
is described as desirable.
This is particularly relevant because WRI’s broader work focuses heavily on environmental and climate issues.
Applicants with environmental-data experience should make this visible in their CV.
Especially Desirable Skills
WRI highlights several areas as particularly valuable.
These include experience with:
- Indigenous data sovereignty
- Open-data governance
- Open-source governance
- Community engagement
- Benefit-sharing
- AI governance
Candidates with direct experience in one or more of these areas may have a strong fit with the role’s research agenda.
Legal and Policy Backgrounds
A legal or policy background related to areas such as:
- Data
- Technology
- Intellectual property
- Privacy
- Community rights
is considered a plus.
The role could therefore appeal to candidates who come from policy or legal backgrounds rather than traditional data-science careers.
Language Requirements
Applicants need strong verbal and written proficiency in:
English
Additional language abilities relevant to WRI’s global operations are considered an asset.
Work Authorization Requirements
This is an important eligibility requirement.
Candidates must already have existing authorization to work in the United States when they submit their application.
WRI states that it is unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.
Applicants requiring employer visa sponsorship should therefore not assume this position will provide it.
Residency Requirement
For the Washington, D.C. position, applicants must be residents of:
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia
by the time employment begins.
This requirement is important because the position is hybrid rather than fully remote.
Is the WRI Data Ethics Analyst Fully Remote?
No.
The role is officially described as:
Office Flex (Hybrid)
Candidates are required to spend approximately 8 days per month in the office in Washington, D.C.
Although another part of the listing labels it as a remote position, the detailed job description clearly establishes the 8-day monthly office requirement.
For accurate reporting, applicants should therefore treat this as a hybrid Washington, D.C. opportunity, not a fully remote job.
Salary: $69,000–$82,000
For candidates based in the United States, the advertised salary range is:
$69,000–$82,000
Actual compensation will depend on experience and other compensable factors.
This is one of the strongest features of the vacancy for job seekers because WRI provides a clear salary range.
If a similar role is based in another WRI country office, compensation would be determined according to local market conditions.
Benefits
U.S.-based employees may have access to a range of benefits.
The listing highlights:
- Medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Retirement-plan access
- Employer retirement contribution
- Flexible working hours
- Hybrid working model
- Leave days that increase with tenure
- Learning and training opportunities
- Access to WRI’s global professional network
The organization also promotes opportunities to participate in internal working groups and affinity groups.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be particularly suitable for professionals with backgrounds such as:
- Data Governance Analyst
- Data Ethics Analyst
- Digital Policy Analyst
- Technology Policy Analyst
- Research Analyst
- Responsible AI Specialist
- Data Policy Researcher
- Privacy Analyst
- AI Governance Analyst
- Public Policy Analyst
- Civic Technology Researcher
- Data Management Analyst
Candidates from environmental, legal, social-science or technology backgrounds may all have relevant experience depending on their previous work.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Applicants should tailor their CV and cover letter closely to the role.
Highlight Data Governance Experience
Mention practical work involving:
- Responsible data use
- Privacy
- Data standards
- Governance frameworks
- AI governance
- Digital policy
Demonstrate Research Skills
Explain how you have:
- Designed research
- Conducted interviews
- Reviewed evidence
- Synthesized findings
- Developed recommendations
Show Stakeholder Engagement
The role requires interaction with communities and experts.
Highlight experience facilitating interviews, workshops, consultations or research engagements.
Connect Your Experience to Social Impact
WRI is especially interested in how data systems affect people and communities.
Show how your work has considered fairness, rights, access or community benefit where relevant.
Highlight Project Delivery
Give examples showing that you can turn research into practical outputs rather than stopping at analysis.
How to Apply
Candidates should submit:
- A resume
- A cover letter
External applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal.
Internal applicants should use the Jobs Hub in Workday.
Applications should be submitted no later than:
September 18, 2026
WRI also notes that the vacancy may close earlier if it receives a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.
Candidates should therefore consider applying before the deadline.
Expected Start Date
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.
This suggests a relatively quick recruitment and onboarding timeline.
Application Deadline
The official application deadline is:
September 18, 2026
Candidates should check the vacancy status before applying because WRI reserves the possibility of closing applications sooner if it receives sufficient qualified applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the position?
The role is Data Ethics & Governance Analyst.
Who is the employer?
The employer is the World Resources Institute.
Where is the position based?
The role is based in Washington, D.C.
Is the job fully remote?
No. It is hybrid and requires approximately 8 days per month in the office.
What is the salary?
For U.S.-based candidates, the advertised salary is $69,000–$82,000.
How long is the position?
The role lasts 18 months.
How much experience is required?
Applicants need at least 3 years of relevant full-time professional experience.
Is a master’s degree required?
No. The listing asks for a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, although relevant work experience may also be considered in place of a degree.
Is U.S. work authorization required?
Yes. Applicants must already have authorization to work in the U.S.
Will WRI sponsor a visa?
No. WRI states that it cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Do candidates need to live in Washington, D.C.?
Candidates must be residents of D.C., Maryland or Virginia when employment begins.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on September 18, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The World Resources Institute WRI Data Ethics & Governance Analyst 2026: $69,000–$82,000 Salary in Washington, DC, is a particularly relevant opportunity for professionals interested in the intersection of data, artificial intelligence, ethics, public policy, and community rights.
The 18-month position combines research, stakeholder engagement, data strategy, and participation in the Civic Science Fellows network.
A major area of focus will be exploring questions such as:
- Who controls data?
- How should community data be governed?
- How should benefits from open data be shared?
- What does data sovereignty mean in the age of AI?
- How should open-source and open-data systems be governed responsibly?
For candidates with experience in data governance, responsible technology, digital policy, privacy, community research, or AI governance, this could provide an opportunity to contribute to an increasingly important global policy field.
The role offers a U.S. salary of $69,000–$82,000, is based in Washington, D.C., requires 8 office days per month, and closes on September 18, 2026.
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