Senior Associate, Energy and Climate

The United Nations Foundation and Energy Future Coalition recognize that climate change is one of the greatest threats to humanity and ecosystems. We are now at a point when we must continue mitigation efforts, but also plan for inevitable impacts. Key to both adaptation and mitigation are biological systems. Land use change contributes 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and new economic incentives, institutional infrastructure, and management practices are needed to reduce those emissions. Both natural and managed lands will be important for safeguarding the food, natural resources, and climate systems upon which we all depend.

Position Overview: 

This position supports the UN Foundation Energy and Climate Team's work on bioenergy sustainability and land-based climate mitigation strategies. The position requires close coordination among our US-centered agricultural leaders' constituency, the Solutions from the Land Dialogue, 25x'25, the Energy Future Coalition, and our international initiatives including the Global Bioenergy Partnership and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels.

As bioenergy has served as an entry point for the UN Foundation to promote sustainable land use in the context of better agricultural practices, it is essential that the candidate have a basic understanding of biological sequestration of carbon and the positive and negative impacts of certain crops, tillage and other agriculture practices.

Reporting/Relationship Scope: 

The Senior Associate reports to the Vice President, Energy and Climate, and the Senior Vice President.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct and direct research on behalf of the United Nations Foundation and Energy Future Coalition in areas relating to energy, climate, development, agriculture and policy issues;
• Act as Energy Future Coalition lead liaison to the 25x'25 Alliance, including conducting partnership outreach, strategy development, supporting special initiatives (such as the Carbon Work Group), participating in summit planning, and producing materials;
• Engage in policy development, including tracking relevant legislation, attending briefings, and maintaining contacts;
• Support the UN Foundation's work on conservation agriculture and sustainable land use;
• Work with the issues under study in Solutions from the Land Dialogue and the Terrestrial Carbon Group, the International Energy Agency's working groups on biomass and sustainable land use;
• Support the work with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels indicators and certifications process;
• Prepare analyses with recommendations, and attend key meetings to represent the Foundation's point of view.
• Track in detail key areas of the conservation agriculture and land use debate and make recommendations for UN Foundation actions to advance some or all of the recommendations/proposals the Foundation is promoting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in public policy, environmental management or economic policy.
• 5-10 years work experience in climate policy or related areas.
• Personal commitment to EFC/UNF's vision and the ability to articulate it to others in a manner that motives them to action.
• Familiarity with agriculture, energy and climate policy, preferred.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and enjoy effective working relationships with people from a wide variety of organizations and with a wide variety of functional expertise.
• Previous experience developing written materials (analyses, reports, talking points, etc.) for senior executives and members of boards of directors.
• Openness and flexibility.
• Stress tolerance and resilience.
• Communications skills (listen, speaking, and writing).
• Continuous learning skills and the ability to synthesize information.
• Multi-sector experience.
• Multi-cultural experience.

Location: UNF is located at 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 400 in Washington D.C. (Metro: Dupont Circle).

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. Actual salary will depend on qualifications and anticipated contribution to the Foundation.

UNF pays 100% of medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance premiums for its employees and 75% of medical and vision for employees' dependents.

In addition, UNF provides 20 days of paid vacation per year, 12 paid holidays, 3 personal days per year, an immediately vested 150% matching 403(b) contribution up to a limit of six-percent of employee pay, Metro Pass benefits, and flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.

To Apply: 

Please apply on-line.

Submit a current resume and cover letter online. Only completed applications with both a resume and cover letter will be considered.

Please upload your resume and cover letter as one document or cut and paste your cover letter into the notes section of the online application.

UNF/BWF is an AA/EEO employer.
People of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.