Senior Research Associate, Corporate Sustainability

~The Pacific Institute is a global water think tank that provides science-based thought leadership with active outreach to influence local, national, and international efforts in developing sustainable water policies. ~

Since 1987, we have worked with everyone from Fortune 500 companies to disenfranchised communities to create and advance sustainable water policies and deliver meaningful results such as:

• Creating the first assessment and warning to policy makers of the dangers of climate change for fresh water supplies.
• Pioneering and promoting the "soft path" to water concept, which calls for a new and comprehensive approach for managing water infrastructure, demands, and institutions.
• Becoming the organizing force behind the United Nations' CEO Water Mandate, which brings global corporations and international organizations together to adopt water sustainability practices.
• Delivering best practice guidance to governments to help them cope with severe drought conditions. 

Our mission is to create and advance solutions to the world's most pressing water challenges. We envision a world in which society, the economy, and the environment have the water they need to thrive now and in the future. 

Position Overview

The Pacific Institute is seeking a full-time Senior Research Associate to join its global Corporate Sustainability Program. This role supports the development and advancement of corporate water stewardship practice, including ongoing management of the UN Global Compact's CEO Water Mandate.

This position includes major responsibility for project management and fundraising. The Senior Associate will direct junior and midlevel research staff on specific projects, and is expected to work with minimal supervision. The Senior Associate will collaborate with all research staff of the Institute and partnering organizations as warranted by specific projects. This is a full-time position based in Oakland, California.

Core Responsibilities

• Independently and creatively design and manage projects related to corporate water stewardship, and corporate sustainability measurement and reporting in particular
• Prepare final reports, corporate guidance documents and tools, and written products in both technical and non-technical areas
• Manage relationships and contributions of project team members and co-authors, as well as from a wide range of collaborating organizations
• Independently identify funding opportunities, write grant proposals, and secure funding for specific projects
• Develop and implement project work plans and manage project timelines and budgets
• Widely present findings, recommendations, and best practices at conferences, webinars, and other events 

Anticipated 2016 Programmatic Work: 

• Facilitate development and implementation of corporate water disclosure best practice among companies and other relevant organizations
• Analyze and assess corporate sustainability reports against established frameworks and guidelines
• Manage, augment, and enhance the CEO Water Mandate's Water Stewardship
• Write and solicit posts on cutting-edge stewardship practice from companies and government and NGO partners for the CEO Water Mandate's Water Stewardship Leaders blog 

Qualifications  

• Advanced degree in business, sustainability, water resources, natural resource management, or relevant field
• 4-7 years work experience in relevant field, some portion focusing on issues relating to water and business
• Excellent written communication skills with a proven record of publishing technical analyses, peer-reviewed reports, and general interest articles
• Excellent oral communication skills with extensive public speaking experience
• Demonstrated ability to raise funds
• Strong interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to work with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds 

Additional Qualifications: 

• Experience with WordPress and ability to edit existing pages and create new posts
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator or other means of creating diagrams and infographics that communicate key corporate water stewardship concepts
• Travel Domestic and international overnight travel may be required 

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email (or mail) a cover letter, writing sample, resume, and contact information for three references to: 

Ms. Terry Asbury, Pacific Institute
654 13th Street
Oakland, California
94612 

• No phone calls, please.
• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.