Program Associate Job at CIEL – Are you passionate about environmental justice and climate action? CIEL (Center for International Environmental Law) is seeking two talented program associates to join their dedicated team. One position is available in the Fossil Economy Program, while the other is in the Climate & Energy Program, specifically the Human Rights & Climate Change team. If you are a motivated professional looking to make a difference, gain valuable experience, and contribute to a sustainable future, this opportunity is for you. Read on to learn more about the role and how to apply.
Key Details
- Position Title: Program Associate
- Program: Fossil Economy Program OR Climate & Energy Program, Human Rights & Climate Change team
- Supervisor: Director of the Fossil Economy Program OR the Human Rights & Climate Change Team Manager
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland; or United States
- Salary: CHF 51,180 – 63,472 per year, Switzerland; or $50,000 – $62,000 per year, United States
Summary Description
CIEL’s Fossil Economy Program is dedicated to transforming the fossil fuel economy by combatting the expansion of petrochemical production, addressing plastic overuse, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides, and exposing and opposing false solutions such as carbon capture and storage, carbon dioxide removal, and other geoengineering approaches. By addressing the interconnected challenges posed by fossil fuels, plastics, and agrochemicals, and uncovering the speculative nature of unproven technofixes, the program strives to accelerate real solutions to the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity collapse, and toxic pollution.
CIEL’s Human Rights & Climate Change team focuses on protecting human rights within the context of climate action. They advocate for inclusive and participatory climate policies that prioritize the needs of those most affected, while also working to safeguard the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The team actively engages in developing legal and judicial strategies to secure and exercise the right of people worldwide to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, as well as the rights of future generations.
What’s More?
As a Program Associate, you will play a crucial role in supporting program leadership and staff. Your responsibilities will include facilitating information flow, engaging in coalition spaces, maintaining strong relationships with partner organizations, conducting non-legal research, drafting public-facing materials, and organizing events to advance campaign objectives.
This position offers an excellent opportunity for early career professionals seeking a diverse range of administrative and programmatic experiences aligned with CIEL’s mission and the pursuit of environmental justice. You should possess exceptional writing skills, a curious and adaptable mindset, event planning abilities, strong organizational capabilities, and the aptitude to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Occasional national and international travel may be required, depending on public health conditions and regulations. You will report to the Director of the Fossil Economy Program or the Human Rights & Climate Change Team Manager.
Responsibilities
Program Coordination and Advocacy
- Implement strategies and tactics to achieve assigned goals, ensuring the delivery of high-quality work products.
- Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of projects and monitor ongoing activities relevant to program objectives.
- Contribute to the implementation of strategies aimed at educating and mobilizing diverse constituencies in support of program goals.
- Prepare, research, draft, and edit written materials, including fact sheets, written comments, social media content, blog posts, and publication-ready materials for decision-makers, civil society partners, frontline communities, journalists, etc.
- Foster effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to achieve program and organization-wide objectives.
Logistical Support and Project Management
- Facilitate information flow within and between the program and other departments at CIEL, ensuring effective communication among Program staff, Communications Department, and other relevant parties. This includes progress updates, engagements with partners and colleagues, document management, and filing systems.
- Organize and participate in events that support program objectives. This may involve budget monitoring, travel arrangements, venue logistics, catering coordination, and participant communication.
- Convene and create agendas for internal meetings, coalition spaces, meetings with external partners, internal events involving staff from different teams, and public events.
- Monitor progress towards deliverables and grant objectives.
- Fulfill other job-related duties as requested or assigned.
Management and Administration
- Maintain contemporaneous timesheets and submit them punctually.
- Assist with short and long-term work planning and reports to funders, as directed by the supervisor.
- Participate in weekly staff and team meetings, as well as other organizational activities, including annual staff performance evaluations.
- Meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and produce high-quality work.
- Share light office duties with a small, dedicated staff.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted).
- 1 year of professional experience related to environmental issues, human rights, climate, or corporate accountability.
- Experience participating in or organizing activities with diverse groups and facilitating meetings.
- Demonstrable organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently.
- Strong writing skills, with the ability to write clearly and compellingly for various audiences.
- Capacity to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Ability to travel occasionally, subject to public health conditions.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
Desired Qualifications
For the Fossil Economy team:
- Familiarity with the fossil fuel industry, petrochemicals, food systems, geoengineering, climate justice, and/or biodiversity.
For the Human Rights & Climate Change team:
- Familiarity with human rights, including Indigenous Peoples’ rights, climate justice, climate governance, gender equality, and/or UN institutions.
- Experience working in a nonprofit setting.
- Proficiency in using Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Forms, and Chat) and project management tools like Asana.
- Experience with various communication technologies and formats, including social media.
- Proficiency in Spanish or French.
Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Action-Oriented: Takes proactive steps and embraces challenges with curiosity, proactivity, and a constructive mindset.
- Nimble Learning: Approaches unfamiliar tasks with openness and adaptability, drawing on past experiences to solve current problems.
- Effective Communication: Recognizes the importance of effective communication and delivers messages clearly, persuasively, and concisely. Actively listens, seeks understanding, and adjusts content and style to cater to diverse stakeholders.
- Collaboration: Facilitates collaboration among individuals with different skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. Creates synergy that generates greater results through collective effort.
- Resourcefulness: Maximizes limited resources and finds innovative approaches to overcome challenges. Thinks beyond the obvious to accomplish goals effectively.
Location and Application Details
Location
This position may be based in the following locations:
- Geneva, Switzerland office (subject to legal work authorization, such as citizenship of EU/EFTA member states).
- Washington, DC, USA office (subject to obtaining legal work authorization).
- Remotely from the United States, depending on the state (subject to obtaining legal work authorization and ability to work in the US Eastern time zone).
Application
This is a full-time, exempt position. CIEL offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer-subsidized health, dental, and vision coverage, paid vacation, sick and parental leave, a 5% contribution of gross annual salary to a 403(b) retirement account, relocation stipend, dedicated professional development funding, and paid sabbatical leave after 7 years. CIEL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and full-time employees qualify for the US Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
To apply for the Program Associate position at CIEL, please follow these steps:
- Submit a cover letter, resume, and any other required materials or responses.
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the first review scheduled for June 25.
- Desired start date is as soon as possible.
- Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
- Note that CIEL does not sponsor any kind of visas. Applicants must have prior authorization to work in the United States or Switzerland to be considered for this position.
As part of your application, please complete an anonymous demographic survey, which will help evaluate recruitment efforts to achieve a diverse pool of candidates. Your survey responses will not be linked to your application or handled by the hiring committee.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
To ensure a safe workplace and prioritize the health of employees, clients, and communities, CIEL requires US candidates to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status before employment. If vaccination is contraindicated or you are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, you must provide documentation to verify this status.
About CIEL:
For 30 years, CIEL has been dedicated to leveraging the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and build a just and sustainable society. With an international team of attorneys and experts, CIEL collaborates in a dynamic and supportive work environment to tackle complex challenges facing people and the planet.
CIEL is an equal-opportunity employer committed to the principles of multiculturalism. The organization actively encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and abilities to apply. Accommodations or assistance with the application process are available upon request by contacting Human Resources at [email protected].
To apply for the Program Associate job at CIEL, please visit the application page.
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