Economic Policy 2023 Fellowship Position

Overview:

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, the world’s largest federation of grassroots environmental groups, working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

FOE envisions a world where we live within the ability of the planet to sustain life, and in which all people live with dignity, health, and equity. We believe that both environmental crises, as well as widespread social injustice, are intertwined symptoms of flawed ideological, economic, and political systems that are violating peoples’ rights, perpetuating oppression, failing to meet the needs of people, and destroying the planet.

We believe that increasing racial diversity within environmental organizations is critical to the future success of our movement. Our Fellowship program is designed to increase the long-term effectiveness of FOE and the environmental movement by operating an inspiring and fulfilling fellowship program that builds skills and relevant job experience for people of color and members of underrepresented communities.

Arlie W. Schardt was a pioneering voice for the environment and witness to some of the most seminal events in American history as a Time magazine correspondent traveling with Martin Luther King while covering the civil rights movement. Throughout his peripatetic 50-year career, Schardt reported on and acted on behalf of social justice. Al Gore states, “Through his remarkably diverse career, Arlie Schardt lived a life of purpose and impact,” said the former Vice President. “He was a champion for civil rights and an early pioneer of the environmental movement. I valued greatly his commitment to public service and will always be grateful for the invaluable roles he played on my Presidential campaign.” Schardt joined Friends of the Earth (FOE), serving as Chairman of the Board from 2009 until June 2019 when he was named chair emeritus in honor of his service. According to Erich Pica, president of FOE, “Arlie was instrumental in tripling the size of the organization and broadening its mandate to combine his concerns for social and racial justice with environmentalism.”

 About the Fellowship:

Each year, we welcome a cohort of five Fellows to work with us full-time for six months. This year the Fellowship program will be a remote position, with the possibility of an in-person retreat in the DC office if/when the offices re-open. Fellows are paid $20/hour and will receive a one-time stipend of $1,000. 

Fellows are placed with our Communications, Economic Policy, Food & Agriculture, Climate & Energy, or Program teams. In addition to substantive work with the teams, the Fellowship program also includes networking and career development opportunities.

The fellowship begins in March 2023 and ends in September 2023.

About our Economic Policy Team and Fellowship Position:

The Economic Policy program aims to create a more environmentally sustainable and socially just world by transforming financial and economic systems. We work with allies around the world to redirect public spending to make polluters pay for the costs of their pollution, and to drive the transition to a cleaner, low-carbon economy. At home and abroad, we advocate for policies that minimize environmental and social harm and fund a brighter future. The fellow will help track government-backed institutions that fund energy projects overseas. Second, the fellow will support the implementation of the senior international finance campaigner’s strategic plans related to international financing (e.g., International Monetary Fund, World Bank, development finance institutions) in conjunction with the International Finance Program Manager. Third, the fellow will conduct research and analysis to develop reports and articles, factsheets, and other campaign materials to educate decision makers, allies, opinion leaders, the press, and the public. Finally, the fellow will engage with Congressional allies, agency officials, and domestic and international coalitions.  

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities for each Fellowship varies, but typically Fellows:

• Perform research, writing and editing
• Assist with campaign, policy, and public advocacy
• Take part in outreach and communications efforts
• Help organize people and events
• Participate in strategy, planning, and coalition meetings

Qualifications:

No specific academic or professional experience is required, but we are looking for people who are passionate about the environment and/or social justice. An environmental background, and previous (volunteer or paid) experience in non-profit organizations, advocacy, political campaigns are pluses.

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.