Position OverviewThe US Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to upholding the goals of the Paris Agreement. The US Climate Alliance secretariat provides strategic, convening, analytical and other functions to support Alliance states in making progress on their climate priorities. For more information on the on the Alliance, please visit www.usclimatealliance.org. The Senior Associate assists the Executive Director of the US Climate Alliance Secretariat in developing and executing strategy to support Alliance states meeting their climate priorities, and working internationally to make progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Senior Associate will focus on supporting Alliance states in the development and implementation of natural climate solutions to enhance carbon mitigation, sequestration and climate resilience. They will also lead the Alliance's portfolio on developing and implementing resilience measures to protect communities from the impacts of climate change. As part of a small team, the Senior Associate will also be required to assume other duties as needed, including but not limited to research, administrative, coordination and events management functions. The Senior Associate reports to the US Climate Alliance Secretariat Executive Director in support of Alliance states, and will be expected to work as part of broader Natural and Working Lands and Climate Resilience teams that include Alliance consultants and external partners. The Senior Associate supports and responds to state-led initiatives, and works with the Energy and Climate team at the United Nations Foundation, which houses the US Climate Alliance Secretariat. This position is located in DC Essential FunctionsSupport the development of a Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Strategic Plan and Work Program:Conduct research, draft briefing papers including policy papersPrepare meeting documents including session notes and agendasCoordinate and consolidate reviews of the Strategic Plan and Work Program, and liaise with states and stakeholders to resolve discrepanciesManage logistics for any meetingAs part of a team, lead implementation of the Work Program, the vehicle for implementing the NWL Strategic Plan:Manage the USCA Impact Partnership for NWL, a group of strategic non-government partners that are providing targeted technical, analytical and policy support at the request of Alliance states to help them deliver on the NWL ChallengeRecruit additional partners or experts as needed, including by drafting and coordinating MOUs or relevant documentsEngage Alliance states to motivate them to act on NWL and advance the NWL Challenge, including among political and NWL sector leadership in the Alliance statesSupport member recruitment efforts, as appropriate, including the development of state-specific talking points or communicating directly with candidates for elected officeWork across Alliance initiatives/working groups to support a holistic approach to decarbonization and carbon capture and storage, with natural carbon removal solutions at the core of those efforts Support the development and implementation of a Resilience Work Program:Work with state leads, members of the working group, and external partners to finalize the initiative's priorities and supporting activities,Identify areas of potential collaboration or coordination with other Alliance working groups, including the NWL, power, building, transportation, and financing sectors.Work with state leads to implement the selected activities, including scheduling webinars, helping to identify speakers, assisting in planning and executing in-person workshops, and publishing materials that build on the Governors' Resilience Playbook.Manage meeting logistics and prepare relevant documents including session notes and agendas Lead the mobilization of resources to support the implementation of state NWL and Climate Resilience priorities, demonstration projects and the Work Programs, specifically:Identify funding needs and fundraising to execute the NWL Strategic Plan and Work Program, as well as future Climate Resilience Work Programs. Fundraising assistance will consist primarily of scoping funding needs; identifying potential funders; writing and submitting grant applicationsManage grants, including monitoring and evaluation and reporting Raise the profile of NWL and Climate Resilience solutions:Develop and execute a communications campaign to raise the visibility of natural climate solutions and climate resilience programs in ways that grows support for action and helps communicate the many benefitsRepresent the Working Groups at key fora, including by presenting or speaking at eventsSecure earned media, working in close cooperation with Alliance media partnersProduce blogs, social media and other communications and outreach material Support state leadership of the NWL and Climate Resilience Working Groups:Convene calls on behalf of the state lead to check on status of project implementation and facilitate sharing of best practicesProvide support for the Working Groups; develop and implement a curriculum for regular calls, in consultation with state Working Group lead(s); and participate in Working Group calls and in-person meetings to take meeting notes and follow-up on action itemsGenerate and circulate information and knowledge resources General Climate Policy Responsibilities:Work with the Executive Director to support Alliance states in the development and execution of strategyLiaise with stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaborationConduct analysis and develop briefing papers on state-level climate policy, federal actions related to climate and clean energy, and international climate effortsSupport the planning and implementation of high-impact events, including organizing meetings and guest lists, developing a work plan, and communicating information to relevant staff and teams Coordination Responsibilities:Assist in managing the operations of the Alliance, including tracking all action items, coordinating outreach, managing contacts, and drafting correspondenceHandle all aspects of travel arrangements in a timely manner, including: preparing appropriate forms for travel approval, making all hotel and transportation arrangements, scheduling meetings, and providing detailed itinerariesPerform other duties as assigned. Selection CriteriaMaster's degree required.5 years experience in climate policy essential, with significant experience working with governments or other political figures.Substantial demonstrated expertise in developing, promoting and implementing natural climate solutions and/or climate resilience programs, especially at the state-level, is strongly preferred.Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder processes, and engagement in state, national or international climate coalitions strongly preferred.As part of a small team, maximum flexibility in accepting and professionally executing a range of tasks is key.Ability to learn new policy areas and quickly strengthen expertise to become sufficiently proficient to support sectoral Working Groups or develop policy papers in other sectors.Additional desired skill sets include:Experience leading and executing communications strategy.Demonstrated knowledge of state politics and state climate policy.Experience in events management.Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong drafting ability and attention to detail.Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment within limited timeframes.Diplomatic and able to work effectively with leaders across a range of government, private sector and civil society organizations.Ability to work independently as well as member of a team; and ability to take initiative.Extreme personal discretion with sensitive information.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Proficiency in or ability to learn Square Space, Word Press, or other website management software.Demonstrated use of social media to effectively communicate climate policy.Cheerful, friendly, enthusiastic, and dependable.Personal commitment to advancing the climate and clean energy agenda in the United States and internationally.Ability to work outside normal office hours during surges (eg in the lead up to major events) and respond quickly to urgent requests. Benefits & CompensationFor full-time, benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:A choice of two health plans through CareFirst (PPO or HDHP with HSA),dental insurance,vision discounts,flexible spending accounts,403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution,group term and supplemental life insurance,short-term disability,long-term disability,health club discounts,commuter benefits, andemployee assistance program. Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of parental leave.