Position Overview
The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to upholding the goals of the Paris Agreement. The U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat provides strategic, convening, analytical and other functions to support Alliance states in making progress on their climate priorities. For more information on the on the Alliance, please visit www.usclimatealliance.org.
The U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat is seeking a State Climate Policy Fellow ready to contribute to its research, policy development, peer-to-peer learning and coordination work. The State Climate Policy Fellow will respond to specific project-level needs such as conducting surveys, data analysis, and research projects; drafting policy briefing papers, presentations and case studies; and providing general coordination support.
The State Climate Policy Fellow reports to the U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat Executive Director in support of Alliance states, and will be expected to work as part of a broader team that includes Alliance staff, consultants, external partners and member states. The State Climate Policy Fellow supports and responds to state-led initiatives and works with the Energy and Climate team at the United Nations Foundation, which houses the U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat.
The Fellow will be expected to work Monday to Friday at a maximum of 29 hours per week over a 10-16-week period. Candidates should clearly specify their anticipated start date in their cover letter, as well as their expected time commitment and any barriers related to their availability.
Due to exceptional circumstances, the UNF offices are currently closed and all employees are working remotely. The Fellow will be expected to work remotely and will supply their own laptops and internet connection. The work schedule will be agreed upon with your supervisor.
Essential Functions
- Research topics relevant to state climate policy and present findings in various formats (reports, social media, etc.).
- Advance the Alliance’s work on natural and working lands by conducting research and analysis plus providing coordination assistance to support the working group’s initiatives.
- Provide input into Alliance-wide, region-specific, and sector-specific strategic plans, as well as identify technical support resources.
- Support Alliance planning for its biannual meeting, including logistical support and document preparation.
- Prepare briefing memos, presentations, talking points, and Q&A on specific issue areas or to prepare for meetings, and brief the Executive Director or Alliance States as appropriate.
- Assist with managing program data, including contacts, materials, records, etc.
- Provide administrative and event management support as needed, including meeting scheduling.
- Represent the Alliance at energy and climate-related events or calls, and take timely and concise notes.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Maintaining working knowledge of the UNF agreement process (for both contracts and grants), and when to utilize the proper templates accordingly. (As applicable to the role)
- Drafting and reviewing agreements and maintaining an understanding of all agreement terms and applicable flow-downs, consulting with UNF’s finance/contracts team as needed. (As applicable to the role)
- Attending training sessions provided by UNF’s contracts team to maintain and keep up to date with UNF’s current policies and procedures. (As applicable to the role)
- Maintain a strong knowledge of UNF’s Salesforce database to be able to process and track agreements, extract information and prepare reports. (As applicable to the role)
Selection Criteria
- Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate degree program or have graduated within the past year from a graduate degree program.
- Strong research skills and ability to write clearly and concisely.
- Interest in innovative ways to communicate technically complex materials.
- Demonstrated interest and experience in state climate policy and coalition building.
- Be responsible, flexible, hard‐working and committed to the mission of the U.S. Climate Alliance.
- Fun, friendly and collaborative.
- Fluent in English.
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States.
- Expected to work a Monday to Friday schedule.
- Required to work to a maximum of 29 hours per week over a 10-16-week period.
- Must have a personal laptop computer and access to the internet to be able to work remotely.
- Ability to meet regular attendance/tardiness policy.
- Ability to work under pressure and handle stress.
*Please note this is a remote position*
The United Nations Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative-action employer. The United Nations Foundation provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
