Senior Program Associate, Sustainable Finance

~ Philanthropy has a critical role to play in solving the climate challenge. A non-governmental organization that works globally, ClimateWorks helps leading funders come together to be more strategic, efficient, and effective in their response to global climate change. ~ 

We offer a suite of services:

• Provide Research & Insights: We aggregate, synthesize, and present emissions data and political, social, technical, and economic analyses in a way that offers insights for climate philanthropy. These insights help funders prioritize opportunities to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, develop strategies that are robust under different future scenarios, adapt strategies to changing conditions, and track progress towards climate goals.
• Develop Strategies & Portfolios of Philanthropic Investments: We collaborate with partners globally to develop portfolios of philanthropic investments designed to achieve large-scale greenhouse gas emissions reductions. With our partners, we evaluate insights from a wide range of sources, develop informed strategies, and cluster strategies into diversified, high-impact portfolios for philanthropic investment. We then monitor progress and apply candid assessments to drive learning and improvement.
• Facilitate Funder Collaboration & Coordination: We facilitate collaboration among influential philanthropic funders - creating opportunities for them to interact with their peers, compare strategies, generate ideas, and coordinate investments that target the biggest drivers of global climate change.
• Fund Climate Change Initiatives: We make strategic grants that support select transnational initiatives and organizations addressing climate change in critical parts of the world.
• Marshal Philanthropic Resources: We help increase the number of foundations working to address climate change and grow the overall size of philanthropic investment directed towards climate action. Central to this effort is our work with funders to help them evaluate investment opportunities that are aligned with their interests and priorities, and to connect them to like-minded peers.

As experts in climate science, public policy, economic and social analysis, and strategic philanthropy, our staff understands the multi-faceted challenges and opportunities of climate change. We are researchers, strategists, collaborators, and grant-makers who care passionately about our mission. For more information, please visit our website. 

Position Overview

ClimateWorks Foundation is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Senior Program Associate to help build out the Sustainable Finance strategy and execute key priorities under the direction of the Program Director, Cross-cutting Strategies.

ClimateWorks organizes its work around a handful of overarching strategies to reduce CO2e emissions by dealing with major sources systemically. Program areas include Clean Power, Energy Efficiency, Oil, Forests and Land Use, and Cross-cutting Strategies, and each is composed of a set of priority regional and transnational strategies.

The Senior Program Associate, Sustainable Finance will be part of the Cross-cutting Strategies program team. The Cross-cutting Strategies program addresses issues, such as public engagement, finance, or communications, that are critical catalysts for our other major program areas.

The majority of the Cross-cutting Strategies campaign work is currently focused on the Sustainable Finance strategy. The objective of the Sustainable Finance strategy is to increase the likelihood of achieving a 2-degree scenario by shifting investment away from fossil fuels and mobilizing investment for clean energy and infrastructure.

In general, this shift requires an ecosystem of accessible capital, investable projects/companies, clear standards, transparent information, and a supportive policy environment that includes accurate price signals. Within this ecosystem, the Sustainable Finance strategy will identify the best philanthropic intervention areas and ensure that the finance elements of the major ClimateWorks' campaigns are supported and linked.

This position offers a unique opportunity to play a leading role in developing an innovative and influential strategy to shift investment away from fossil fuels and into clean energy on a global scale.

The Senior Program Associate supports the Sustainable Finance strategy in preparation of materials, including reports, dockets, and presentations, for meetings within and beyond ClimateWorks and its network of partner organizations. The Senior Program Associate will also serve as the project coordinator and liaison between the Programs team and other ClimateWorks teams.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with international experience and a strong background in finance, business, and climate. The Senior Program Associate will report to the Program Director, Cross-Cutting Strategies. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Program Associate, Sustainable Finance, will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Provide high-level support to the Program Director, Cross-cutting Strategies, collaborating with the Director to develop the philanthropic strategy to shift investment away from fossil fuels and into clean energy.
• Manage and support a variety of projects contributing to strategy, budgeting, planning, reporting, and grants in the relevant program areas.
• Work on short term and ongoing projects with a variety of teams within ClimateWorks.
• Provide research, planning, and general support to the initiatives within the Sustainable Finance strategy as needed.
• Assist with the editing and production of grant reports, communications materials, and funder reports as necessary.
• Assist with production and quality control of outgoing work products.
• Assist with the management and supervision of support staff as requested.
• Provide general organizational and operations support.
• Assist and support the Program Director as needed.
• Manage network communications and stakeholder relations.
• Function as a point of contact for and prioritize ongoing tasks related to the Sustainable Finance strategy in the San Francisco office when the Program Director is working remotely. 

Qualifications 

The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications: 

• 5-7 years of experience in a program support role with at least 2-3 years of experience in finance or another related sector.
• Advanced degree in business, finance, or other relevant/related field preferred.
• Understanding of financial tools and instruments and the macroeconomic forces that shape the fossil fuel and clean energy economies preferred.
• Superb written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Ability to initiate and manage projects.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Experience working in service to a broad range of clients and stakeholders.
• Good personal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Competence in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and numerous databases.
• High proficiency with PowerPoint preferred.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize, and multi-task.
• Experience with, or aptitude for, managing others, including support staff and interns.
• Willingness to be flexible, adaptable, and proactive in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel (both domestically and internationally) as needed.
• Passion for environmental and social issues.
• International work experience, especially in the developing world (e.g., India, China, Brazil) preferred.
• Experience working in nonprofits or foundations a plus.
• Commitment to the mission and values of ClimateWorks. 

Compensation: ClimateWorks offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience.  

To Apply 

• To be considered for this position, interested candidates must click below: "Apply Here!" and then follow the link to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.
• CEA Recruiting is assisting ClimateWorks with this search. Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting.
• This position will remain open until filled.

~ ClimateWorks Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. ~ 

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit our website.