Senior Program Associate for the ClimateShot Investor Coalition

About our organization

With deep expertise in finance and policy, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) is an analysis and advisory organization that works to improve the most important energy and land use practices around the world. Our mission is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change. CPI has six offices around the world in Brazil, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and the United States and acts as the Secretariat for the ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC)

About the ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC)

Global food systems account for roughly one quarter of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and close to 60% of global biodiversity loss. Despite this, only around 2% of global climate finance is directed towards agriculture and related sectors.

The ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC) is an action-oriented group for leaders in the impact investment community working in agriculture and food systems globally. The Coalition aims to collectively scale-up and accelerate finance for agriculture and food systems globally with the vision to shift these sectors to a low-carbon, climate-resilient

and nature-positive pathway by 2030, thus delivering on the ambitions of the Glasgow Breakthrough Agenda on Agriculture agreed at COP26.

To achieve this goal, we are building a member-driven coalition with a focus on three key outcomes:

1. Greater consensus on priorities for climate and nature finance in the sector.
2. Greater use of evidence-based solutions to reduce transaction costs & risk, and improve monitoring & reporting.
3. Increased finance mobilised for the sector globally.

Position Summary

Reporting to the UK Director, the  for CLIC will operate largely autonomously to manage the affairs of the Secretariat and engage with CLIC stakeholders. You will gain exposure to a wide array of stakeholders in the agriculture and food systems impact investment space whilst drawing on the CPI world class technical team focused on scaling-up and accelerating finance for agriculture and food systems globally.

You will be responsible for overall project management and coordination of CPI’s role as the Secretariat of CLIC drawing on input and expertise from CPI research and technical teams, as well as communications and operations staff. You will need to quickly develop a solid understanding of the CLIC mission as well as the members that drive it. You will further develop and maintain CLIC’s strategy, governance and existing relationships with senior stakeholders from members of the CLIC, other government departments, key investors across the sector and international finance and development institutions. You will possess a calm, diplomatic approach, demonstrating resilience under pressure and a positive outlook to work effectively in a challenging context managing a diverse and dispersed set of stakeholders.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Includes the following and other duties as assigned:

• Coordinate and inform the overall strategic direction of CLIC in close consultation with CPI’s technical and research leads and the UK Director. The strategy covers the purpose and goals of CLIC, and outlines an approach and associated workplan with activities and milestones.
• Engage closely with the key partners and funders of CLIC – including the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and British International Investment (BII).
• Design and implement the CLIC advocacy and outreach strategy and coordinate events related to the Coalition.
• Work with CPI Analysts to oversee and implement CLIC’s technical work, providing support and inputs and making sure the publications are on track and on budget, and aligned with the strategy.
• Coordinate the Coalition’s Action Groups and Deal Room, providing support to the lead organisations and making sure they are aligned with the Secretariat main technical work plan.
• Participate in and contribute to other meetings acting on behalf of the CLIC Secretariat, including the Action Groups meetings and external events.
• Coordinate with CPI’s Communications team on external communication activities such as newsletters, social media, and the website communication strategy.
• Coordinate with the UK Director and technical leads on budgetary and resource needs for CLIC.
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting, including financial and narrative reporting through both internal project management tools as well as reporting to clients.
• Provide leadership and management of team members as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Ideally, a MSc or MA is required in the fields of international and/or domestic policy, development studies, economics, finance, agriculture, environment or another relevant field. Candidates without such a qualification will only be considered if significant relevant work experience can be demonstrated.
• Substantial and progressive professional experience managing high-profile projects for government, business, and/or NGOs; with evidence of increasing budget and resource management.

Highly desirable

• Experience in agriculture and food systems sector with a focus on sustainability is highly desirable. Familiarity with international climate finance and/or climate adaptation and resilience and /or biodiversity issues in the agriculture and food systems sectors would be an advantage.

Competencies

• Exceptional project management skills.
• Extensive experience working with external stakeholders; strong client and funder relations skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, time management, and prioritization skills, and an ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Ability to confidently work autonomously and oversee the work of others effectively.
• Independent, analytical mind with a track record of applying sound financial, political and strategic judgment in complex situations.
• Deep commitment to the mission and values of CPI.
• Fluency in English required (written and verbal); other language skills highly desirable.

Title & Compensation

This position is a full-time position based in our London Office.

CPI has adopted a flexible working policy whereby staff are able to mix working remotely with regular days in the London office (particularly helpful for interacting with the wider CPI team, specific team meetings and collaboration).

CPI offers an excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package, including a salary starting at £50,000 per annum depending upon experience.

To apply

Click here to submit an application which must include your CV and a cover letter outlining why you want to work with CPI and the CLIC, and how your skills and experience match the above criteria. Applications must be submitted by midnight BST Friday 25th November 2022. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please understand that as a streamlined team, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Climate Policy Initiative is an equal opportunity employer.