Associate, Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance

ABOUT CLIMATE POLICY INITIATIVE

CPI is an analysis and advisory organization with deep expertise in finance and policy. Our mission is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change. CPI has seven offices around the world in Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. CPI is known as a leader in tracking sustainable investment trends, identifying innovative business models, and supporting the solutions that can drive a transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. We are unique in our focus on finance, our ability to get the right people to the table, and our analytical rigor.

ABOUT THE LAB
The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (The Lab) is a public-private initiative that identifies, develops, and launches innovative climate finance instruments. It aims to drive billions of dollars of private investment into climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. Lab instruments address investment barriers across a wide variety of sectors, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, sustainable land-use, climate tech, and carbon.

Since launching in 2014, The Lab and its initiatives have successfully launched 68 new innovative financial instruments, have been endorsed by the G7 and collectively attracted over USD 4+ billion in seed capital through the instruments that were endorsed by the Lab Members. In addition to the Labs global thematic programs, the Lab includes five regional programs in Brazil, East and Southern Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, India, and the Philippines.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Lab enters its 10th year, the program continues to grow in terms of scope, prominence, regional, and sectoral focus, and functions as a world-leading catalyst in blended finance and climate investment. To continue to execute a vision for disruptive impact in sustainable investment, CPI is seeking an experienced Associate to support the Labs Program Management Team.

This role requires an experienced and highly organized professional, with skills in process oversight, continuous improvement, program management, and internal communications. In addition, the Associate should also have experience supporting high-level interactions with key stakeholders, such as clients, investors, donors, and others in sustainable finance.

Reporting to the Labs Global Program Manager, the role will support the management of the Labs team of 20+ staff and consultants, while coordinating with CPI staff and partners around the world.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Support the execution of the Lab process, serving as a resource for questions, issues, and support for Lab staff and consultants.

• Support with oversight of the global budget for the Lab. This includes monitoring milestones, budget and actuals across multiple projects, government and foundation grants and drafting donor narrative and financial reporting.

• Help track, map out and implement instrument application and selection

• Track and map processes and timelines for the Labs financial instrument development and analysis

• Support with the facilitation and preparation of internal Lab meetings, preparing agendas, drafting presentations, and sending follow-up communication

• Regularly liaise with Lab Analysts and proponent teams to track development and analysis, ensure progress against milestones, and working with the Global Program Manager to troubleshoot issues.

• Support the Global Program Manager identify and execute on process improvements for the Lab

External Engagement, Communications & Event Management

• Support the work of the Lab Communications Lead, reviewing social media posts, press releases, blogs, videos, event-related content, and other external communications as needed.

• Support coordination and development of reports, awards and grant submissions, and other strategic communications products.

• Draft external communications including but not limited to emails and memos to Lab members, stakeholders, proponents and internal teams, meeting and event agendas, presentations, pre- and post-meeting communications products.

• Help facilitate, organize, and implement virtual and in-person Lab meetings (Pre-selection, Selection, Mid-cycle, Endorsement, and others as needed).

• Alongside the Labs Communications Team, support content maintenance of the Lab website, as well as regular updates to our stakeholder database/CRM.

• Support the Global Program Manager, Associate Director and regional and sectoral leads in fundraising efforts, including engaging with potential funders, developing proposals, and reviewing budgets.

• Become a resource for knowledge-sharing about the Labs approach and process

• Assist with the development of a Lab membership engagement strategy to maximize participation of the Labs network of Members and Observers.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• BA or BS degree in Business, International Development/Affairs, Public Policy, or demonstrable equivalent experience.

• A minimum of 3+ years of relevant career experience for associates, including in global advisory institutions, multilaterals, or NGOs, consulting firms or corporates, financial services firms, or incubators/accelerators.

• Experience supporting a large, complex program with a global staff.

• Experience with incubators, accelerators, or multi-stakeholder partnerships desirable.

• Experience managing government grants (European, UK, or US Federal) highly desirable.

• Demonstrated interest (including through coursework) in the areas of climate finance, international climate policy, and/or sustainable development is highly desirable.

• Fluency within the Microsoft Office Suite. Candidates should be very comfortable working in Excel.

• Experience with MS Project or other project management software including Notion.

• Experience with WordPress or other content management software desirable

• Experience with Airtable or other CRM software is desirable.

• Written and spoken fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of a second language is an advantage, particularly Spanish or Portuguese.

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• You have excellent oral and written communication skills.

• You are a stickler for detail, have strong organizational skills, and are passionate about project management and process improvement.

• You are capable of juggling multiple tasks and priorities and adhering to set deadlines while keeping the big picture in mind.

• You are self-motivated and dependable with a passion for learning.

• You can keep calm under pressure and perform all tasks with absolute professionalism and sensitivity to internal and external client demands.

• Your values are aligned with CPIs you believe in the importance of aligning finance with low-carbon and climate resilient pathways and want to be part of a positive change in the world.

POSITION DETAILS

CPI is recruiting for one full time position to be based either in our San Francisco or Washington D.C. office. CPI has adopted hybrid working whereby staff are able to work a mix of remote and in the office.

The salary range for this position is $70,000 – $85,000 per annum for the Associate level.

CPI salary offers are determined by the level of skill and experience demonstrated by the selected candidate as well as alignment to internal equity and external market levels.

CPI also offers a highly competitive benefits package which includes a generous 401(k) contribution and PTO provision.

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date CV and a compelling cover letter outlining why you want to work with CPI and how your skills and experience align with the above criteria.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, so we encourage applicants to submit at the earliest opportunity. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Please be sure to add [email protected] to your contact list to ensure delivery of all correspondence from us. The job posting will close on September 30, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.

Climate Policy Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. We work hard to create and maintain a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximize their full potential. Our CPI teams reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. Our strong commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through our focus on attracting and retaining staff based on skills and merit.

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all identities and backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.