International Climate Policy Associate

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 74 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Policy Associate, International Climate Policy supports TNC’s international policy advocacy and thought leadership efforts to support our goal of keeping global warming well below 2°C and building the resilience of people and places in the face of a changing climate. TNC’s primary focus is on: 1) Unlocking the full potential of natural climate solutions globally, through shaping global and national policies and finance and reducing deforestation, large-scale forest restoration and sustainable agriculture; 2) Driving stronger climate action globally, through comprehensive policy responses linked to influencing global climate finance and policy commitments; and 3) Deploying innovative financing mechanisms to incentivize governments and communities to use cost-effective, nature-based solutions that build resilience in the face of a changing climate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Together with global and regional teams, the Policy Associate is responsible for overseeing and coordinating key aspects of TNC’s advocacy efforts on international climate policy. S/he ensures our policy advocacy efforts are guided by clear strategic goals, developed in consultation with colleagues from across the Conservancy and incorporating input from our external partners and stakeholders. The Policy Associate will ensure the international climate policy advocacy efforts contribute to TNC’s priority global strategies, including strategies to advance natural climate solutions (e.g. forests, wetlands, and sustainable agriculture) to scale up climate ambition. S/he will work closely with staff in key countries to advance our policy priorities such as supporting coutnries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and will participate in some or all of our engagement the UN climate change negotiations related to coeans and forests, and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). The Policy Associate will contribute to public and private fundraising efforts to support the international climate policy work. S/he will also support internal and external communications efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

Responsible for developing and building consensus on TNC’s international climate policy priorities
Responsible for developing and leading implementation of agreed advocacy strategies
Represent TNC at strategic external engagement meetings, policy forums such as the UNFCCC and FCPF, and networking relevant to international policy goals realted to natural climate solutions such as forests, wetlands, and agriculture
Advise and provide thought leadership on policy interventions that can help take NCS concepts to scale by integrating international climate policy and carbon market expertise across regions / countries or sectors
Lead TNC’s engagement with external coalitions and partnerships relevant to international climate policy.
Lead and/or contribute to the development of white papers and other products that reflect TNC’s thought leadership on policies, working with science and communications teams to identify policymaker audiences and translate science findings appropriately
Collaborate with corporate engagement teams to identify strategic opportunities where private sector advocacy could advance TNC’s goals
Support with grant reporting and functions
Work with fundraising and conservation teams to craft fundraising requests for policy activities and help identify public and private funding opportunities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, environmental science, business or related field and 4 years of relevant experience in international climate change policy, government relations, or equivalent combination of education/experience
Fluency in English
Experience presenting to and/or communicating with business, government or legislative staff and/or program leadership.
Experience in designing, implementing and directing multiple complex projects and ensuring program accountability.
Communications experience including preparing and presenting project proposals, and developing written communications.
Experience working with corporate or NGO partners, and government agencies.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in political science, environmental policy, environmental science, business or related field
Direct experience working with partners and government agencies
Project management experience including coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside an organization
Proven experience in strategy development and implementation
Demonstrated relationship building skills
Experience negotiating complex high profile or sensitive agreements
Proven written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Familiarity with technical aspects of AFOLU accounting for greenhouse gas emissions, including oceans-related activities
Familiarity with voluntary and compliance carbon markets for natural climate solutions activities
Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience, including some experience working in or with projects in Brazil, China, Indonesia, Mexico, India or the US, for example
Multilingual skills appreciated
Aptitude to explore policy areas outside of climate, such as finance and economic policies
Experience preparing and presenting project proposals and negotiating complex high profile or sensitive agreements with government and/or corporate business
Demonstrated ability to work in a large, matrixed work environment
Experience in identifying and securing fundraising opportunities for policy work

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to position number 48668, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 29, 2020.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

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POSITION TYPE

Full-Time

ORGANIZATION TYPE

NGO/Civil Society

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

3-4 Years

DEGREE REQUIRED

Bachelor's (Or Equivalent)

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