Program Associate, Global Energy Transition Initiative

About the Organization

ClimateWorks Foundation is a global organization committed to our mission: to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy. Since our founding in 2008, we have awarded over $2 billion in grants to more than 800 organizations advancing climate solutions around the world. We helped grow the field of climate philanthropy to where it stands today, establishing infrastructure, global networks, and momentum for continued growth. Through our Global Programs and Services, we equip philanthropy with global knowledge, networks, and solutions to drive climate progress.

• Scaling solutions: Our collaborative Global Programs — focused on solution areas including carbon dioxide removal, cooling, industry, transportation, and more — produce results that are bending the greenhouse gas emissions curve. From the U.S. to Europe, China, Brazil, and beyond, we collaborate with a diverse community of funders, NGOs, and climate leaders to accelerate just and equitable climate solutions.

• Guiding and supporting funders: Our Global Services provide funders with comprehensive resources to assess, build, evolve, and execute high-impact climate-giving strategies. Our Global Intelligence service equips funders and the climate community with climate insights to pinpoint opportunities for impact and philanthropic insights to help identify investment priorities. We facilitate Global Collaborations that enable funders to increase individual and collective impact. Our Global Grantmaking services enable funders to invest in climate solutions around the world. 

• Fostering collaboration, exploration, and growth: Our collaborative approach and commitment to learning ensures that we continuously explore innovative ideas and emerging opportunities — all with the aim of scaling philanthropy-supported initiatives to help end the climate crisis.

As experts in climate science, public policy, economic and social analysis, and strategic philanthropy, ClimateWorks’ staff understands the multi-faceted challenges and opportunities of climate change. We are researchers, strategists, collaborators, and grantmakers who care passionately about our mission. For more information, please visit www.climateworks.org. 

Department Summary

The Global Energy Transition Initiative is a customized partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies and ClimateWorks Foundation, with a single mission: to deliver high-impact and immediate actions to drive a country-level transition from coal to clean energy that is in line with the global 1.5 °C pathway.

Since the inception of this partnership in late 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies and ClimateWorks Foundation have supported a broad spectrum of global and in-country partners to overcome economic, political, technical, and social challenges to shift away from coal to clean energy. Since 2022, the Global Energy Transition Initiative has covered more emerging and developing countries in Asia, Africa, and South America and has expanded its strategies from increasing climate ambition to implementing the clean energy transition. With key partners from these countries/regions, the priorities of the Global Energy Transition Initiative are to shape and implement robust country-specific coal phase-out and clean energy transition pathways; and leverage international and regional initiatives to scale-up clean energy investments and end new coal pipelines.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Program Associate to join the Global Energy Transition Initiative and support our busy team of 12 full-time and consulting professionals focused on strategic grantmaking in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Essential Tasks 

• Support GETI’s Senior Director in multiple areas to help with the smooth running of a busy global team covering grantmaking in 32 countries across multiple time zones.
• Work closely with our busy grants and programs teams to support program grants tracking, monitoring, and budgeting; ensuring grants are completed in a timely manner.
• Support GETI’s monitoring, evaluation and learning function, including KPI and outcome tracking for our program work worldwide.
• Support research and analysis informing the development of program strategy across multiple areas.
• Help identify potential grantees, build relationships, and scope fundable projects.
• Help organize online and in-person convenings.
• Draft key communications and develop knowledge products for our networks.
• Support oversight of key performance indicators for our program and grantmaking efforts.
• Increasingly act as a subject matter expert, point of contact, and representative of ClimateWorks in specific areas of focus.
• Communicate effectively internally and externally through grant reports and other materials.
• Provide research, planning, and general support to the program as needed.
• Over time, act as a subject matter expert, point of contact, and representative of ClimateWorks in specific areas of focus.

Required Qualifications  

Must have:

• 5+ years of work experience Minimal 5 years of professional experience in climate mitigation and energy transitions in emerging markets and developing economies.
• Business consulting and/or policy advisory firm background is a plus.
• Savvy about the dynamics between political, government policy-making, business and financial community, and civil society in power sector decarbonization.
• Strong stakeholder and partnership development skills.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as public policy, economics, or business administration, background with electric engineering and/or power system modelling is a plus. Advanced degree in a related field is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint), Google docs.
• Ability to judge the relative importance of issues and act independently to address them, applying the appropriate level of urgency and drive to achieve results.
• Ability to keep calm under pressure, prioritize and manage multiple and sometimes competing tasks, and multi-task and good interpersonal communications skills.
• Ability to quickly and accurately analyze problems and identify appropriate solutions.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion.
• Tact, poise, professionalism, diplomacy, and a good sense of humor; the ability to work with a team and to interact with people from all walks of life.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment.
•  Our ideal candidate will be based within 5 hours of the Central European time zone, and will be highly organized, responsive, detailed-oriented and with strong analytical skills, and comfortable working under pressure.
• Strong project management skills based on at least five years’ experience. Skills must include strong online research skills, advanced excel skills, knowledge of and experience using Salesforce, Asana and/or other similar resource and project management solutions.
• Strong events management experience. Proven experience of designing and executing successful in-person convenings of different types.
• Work experience, academic experience, or training on clean energy, political science, climate change or international relations.
• Excellent relationship management and collaboration skills with a history of working with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including writing for general as well as technical audiences.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to travel and work across different time zones.
• Work or lived experience in the Global South.

Nice to have:

• BS or BA degree.
• Experience working with international partners.
• Past work at a philanthropic and/or environmental organization.

Compensation

ClimateWorks offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience (geographic differential applied based on location)

Salary Range (Bay Area / NYC): $75,000 - $80,000 annually

Salary Range (Other US): $70,000 - $75,000 annually

*** ClimateWorks strives to create an equitable culture of transparency and fairness.

International salary range - will be determined based on the location and local cost of labor.

We recognize that compensation and benefits can vary across countries and understand that this can raise important questions. Our goal is to ensure fairness, equity, and competitiveness within each local context. To achieve this, we align our compensation structure with the economic conditions, labor market dynamics, and social benefit systems of the regions where we operate.

Salaries are determined based on country specific labor markets, allowing us to offer pay that is competitive within each region and consistent with other international organizations. Compensation is intentionally structured to be above lead local market averages and appropriate to the regional cost of labor. This approach supports our commitment to equity across our global workforce while enabling us to attract and retain top talent in diverse locations.

Location

ClimateWorks Foundation is based in the San Francisco Financial District. This position is classified as Global Flexible. Exceptional candidates can work from the SF office or from other locations, geographic differential applied to compensation based on local cost of labor.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to equal employment principles. We strive to find ways to attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to meet business objectives, and to recruit and employ highly qualified individuals representing the diverse communities in which we live. 

Our employment policies and decisions on employment and promotion are based on merit, qualifications, performance, and business needs. We make the decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees in a nondiscriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, sex (including childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), pregnancy, uniform service member and veteran status, citizenship status, disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Support and belief in this principle is a basic responsibility of all employees. 

This policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, discipline, termination, promotions, transfers, compensation, benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms and conditions of employment.  

Application Process 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a resume and cover letter. This position will remain open until filled.

Employment at the ClimateWorks Foundation is at-will.