Senior Planning Associate

ClimateWorks Foundation supports public policies that prevent dangerous climate change and catalyze sustainable global prosperity. Now entering its fourth year, ClimateWorks has built a vibrant and effective global network with over 300 employees, a $165 million annual budget, and a growing track record of policy wins and tons of carbon abated.

In 2007, six foundations-Hewlett, Packard, Oak, Energy Foundation, Joyce, and Doris Duke-commissioned a research study to identify the most effective approaches, by sector and by country, to rapidly reduce global carbon emissions. The study, titled "Design to Win," outlined several principal conclusions:

• Efforts in a half dozen countries and regions-the U.S., E.U., China, India, and Latin America-combined with work to stem deforestation in Brazil, Indonesia, and the Congo, can deliver the reductions in carbon emissions necessary for averting a global climate catastrophe.
• The carbon battle cannot be won in the next decade, but it can be lost. Locking in bad decisions today will make the future challenge extremely difficult. In particular, building more conventional coal-fired power plants, developing inefficient cities in China, and continuing high rates of deforestation during the next 10 years would cause irreversible damage.
• Policy is the key to transformation. The global energy economy is a $4 trillion sector, with individual energy infrastructure investments (capital investments in power plants, oil wells, etc.) reaching the billion dollar level. Sound policy is the most effective means of shifting capital flows from dirty to clean alternatives.
• Policy advocacy in the energy arena has been very successful when pursued with care and diligence, but current efforts are inadequate.

Based on these conclusions, a new global philanthropic network, ClimateWorks Network, was organized to win the battle against climate change. The Network's goal is to ensure that global average temperatures do not increase by more than 2o C by 2030-a threshold many scientists describe as a dangerous tipping point. ClimateWorks Foundation is the core of the ClimateWorks Network, which comprises a dozen climate organizations. ClimateWorks Foundation works in the top-emitting nations to build low-carbon energy policies and to reduce the rate of deforestation in the world's largest, most threatened tropical forests.

Position Overview:

ClimateWorks seeks a committed, responsible, and energetic professional to join this effort.  As a member of the ClimateWorks team, you will experience the benefits of working in a new global venture: close working relationships with colleagues and broad impact on greenhouse gas emission reductions through our global work in key countries and sectors. This unique blend creates an incredible opportunity for an associate who seeks diverse job responsibilities.

ClimateWorks is looking for a skilled and motivated individual to provide database management, analysis, and evaluation support for the policy initiatives that ClimateWorks is conducting across its global network. The Senior Planning Associate will report to the Director of Strategic Planning.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with 5 or more years of experience in a business analyst, consulting, or similar role. The successful candidate will work in a challenging environment that includes detail-oriented independent work, quick thinking, and professional interactions.

Responsibilities:

The Senior Planning Associate will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Lead the development and ongoing management of a comprehensive strategy and grants database, including overseeing contractors.
• Manage user interactions with the database through production of custom queries and reports.
• Train ClimateWorks and Network staff on the use of the database, and provide ongoing technical and strategic support to system users.
• Analyze trends in the ClimateWorks grantmaking portfolio and other reports.
• Measure and describe trends for carbon abatement potential and emissions reductions.
• Support ClimateWorks external evaluation effort; act as a liaison with the evaluation team.
• Provide the evaluation team with logistical and contractual support, as needed.
• Help integrate and bridge the data management, knowledge management, and evaluation functions of the organization.
• Assist the Director of Strategic Planning in maintaining the systems that fulfill the strategic and due diligence needs of the organization.
• Assist ClimateWorks Program, Executive, Finance, Knowledge Management, and Network staff with measurement and evaluation systems and processes.
• Assist with writing, production, and quality control of outgoing work products.
• Correspond via phone, meetings, and/or email with colleagues and vendors.

Qualifications:

The successful applicant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• 5 years of experience in a business analyst, consulting, or similar role
• BS or BA degree (computer science, business, economics, environmental science, and/or policy coursework helpful
• Previous experience maintaining complex calendars and data
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills
• Competence in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Experience developing and managing SQL databases strongly preferred
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision
• Ability to work under pressure and manage shifting priorities
• Good personal and interpersonal communications skills
• Previous work with grants administration preferred
• Commitment to the mission of the ClimateWorks Foundation

Compensation: ClimateWorks Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. This position will be located in San Francisco, California.  

To Apply:

The expected start date for this position is May 2011. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow this link to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.  

ClimateWorks Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.