Climate Officer

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Sustainable Markets (SM) – The Sustainable Markets Pillar, one of three Pact Pillars which also includes Health and Governance Pillars, covers four of Pact’s impact areas (Energy, Environment, Extractives and Livelihoods). This Pillar has a range of world-leading initiatives for responsible mineral sourcing, improved energy access, green finance, livelihoods and natural resource management.

Position Overview

The purpose of the Climate Officer position is to support the growth of climate-related aspects of the Environment and Energy portfolio by developing project proposals, engaging with existing and potential donors, and producing written materials for both internal and external audiences.

The Climate Officer will also play a significant role in directly contributing to the success of environment, energy and climate-related projects by delivering technical, managerial, financial, and administrative assistance to country offices. The Climate Officer will also coordinate between the country offices and head office in Washington, D.C.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an expert-level understanding of the climate sector within our priority countries (if they do not already possess this knowledge).
• Approximately 20-30% of the Climate Officer’s time will be spent supporting the start-up and continuing implementation of projects within priority countries, including the addition of climate adaptation and resilience components to existing Pact projects.
• Develop and maintain relationships with potential donors and partners with a high degree of independence leading to solicitation of proposals from Pact, and work with the Environment and Energy Director to develop and maintain donor relationships on an international level.
• Coordinate with business development leads in Washington, D.C. and in various country offices to identify and evaluate climate-related funding opportunities that would be a good fit for Pact’s Environment and Energy program.
• Collaborate with the Environment and Energy team and the country offices to produce timely research and thought leadership, demonstrating the outcomes of Pact’s work in the climate sector, and ideas for further improving climate adaptation and resilience as part of an integrated approach to development.
• Coordinate with the Integrated Communications team in Washington, D.C. and with the country offices to produce collateral materials for external audiences.
• Productively partner and collaborate with Pact departments, including other Programs and Program Operations teams, business development, financial planning and analysis, accounting, and human resources to ensure that portfolio-wide support is given when and where necessary, and build strong internal professional relationships with members of these units

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in a field related to Pact’s mission and the goals of the Environment and Energy program, such as in climate policy, environmental sciences, international development, energy/environment policy, economics or other climate change-related fields with at least seven (7) years work experience; or a Master’s degree in a field related to Pact’s emission and the goals of the Environment and Energy program with at least five (5) years work experience.
• At least four (4) years of experience in climate adaptation, resilience, mitigation, loss and damage, and/or finance, private sector engagement on climate topics gained from work within an international non-profit organization, a management-consulting firm, multilateral financial institution, or government agency.
• Knowledge of energy and climate trends and opportunities in developing countries.
• Demonstrated ability to develop creative solutions, and a drive to solve climate change issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with Pact staff, potential donors, local partners, host governments and other implementing organizations.
• Documented success in raising philanthropic capital from various donors, including national governments, corporations, and/or foundations.
• Excellent written and oral communications, including strong presentation skills.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including excellent PowerPoint skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally to project locations and conferences.
• Espouses Pact’s core values of integrity, respect, and inclusion.
• Proficiency in English is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree in a field related to Pact’s mission.
• Experience applying rigorous and science-based methods to promote climate-related governance and investments.
• Experience designing or leveraging next generation and emerging carbon markets
• Knowledge of USAID climate programming under IDIQs, Global Development Alliances, regional programs and bilateral projects is strongly desired
• An existing network of donors, specifically within the energy, climate, and environment field.
• Additional fluency in another language (e.g. Spanish or French) is preferred.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.