Program Assistant, Just Transition Program & Minerals for the Energy (12 months)

About the Organization - Program Assistant - Just Transition Program & Minerals for the Energy Transition Initiative

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, over $2 billion in grants to more than 850 organizations working to advance 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 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.

Experienced 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.

About the Just Transition Program, and the Minerals for the Energy Transition Initiative

The Program Assistant will support the continued development, refinement, and delivery of the ClimateWorks Just Transition Program & Minerals for the Energy Transition Initiative.

The Just Transition Program supports solutions that are locally-led and rooted in the unique social, economic, and environmental contexts of the communities they serve. We believe in leadership from local governments, community-based organizations, and the private sector to ensure holistic transition strategies that reflect the needs and aspirations of those most affected by climate and economic changes.

Minerals for the Energy Transition Initiative was launched in 2023 with a goal to ensure a reliable and responsible mineral supply for the clean energy transition that benefits communities and protects the planet. Our work focuses on two pillars: ensuring responsible primary and recovered supply, and strengthening global cooperation and coordination to advocate for responsible supply.

This is a 12-18 months role, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability.

Job Summary

The Program Assistant will support the continued development, refinement, and delivery of the Just Transition Program and the Minerals for the Energy Transition Initiative. The Program Assistant will report to the Senior Strategist of the Just Transition Program, with a dotted line to the Senior Associate Director, Transition Minerals, and will work closely with other members of both teams.

The position will require a well-organized, detail-oriented, analytically minded self-starter with strong writing, research, and project management skills. The Program Assistant will have the opportunity to work with partners from leading research and advocacy organizations in the field from around the world. The Program Assistant will work with colleagues across communications, administrative, convening, and grantmaking teams.

The Program Assistant will be an entry-level colleague who will be the organizational backbone of the team, supporting our strategy, grantmaking and analytical functions. The candidate will have plenty of opportunities to engage in the substantive work of both teams and will have room to take on issue areas as appropriate but will focus on the following duties.

This is a 12-18 months role, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability.

Essential Tasks 

The position includes the following responsibilities, with other duties as needed:

●      Support the origination, development, and delivery of project funding to grantees, contractors, and other programmatic partners.

●      Provide administrative and programmatic support for the scoping and expansion of the JTP in the Global South, including research and coordination with in-country partners, and other tasks as needed.

●      Project manage and support virtual and in-person meetings of stakeholders, including scheduling, preparation of agenda, developing and tracking contracts, managing invitations, participants outreach, recording notes, outcomes, and next steps.

●      Support tracking, processing and monitoring of grantmaking activities, including timelines.

●      Support the team Just Transition Program in preparing content for internal and external partners, e.g. presentations, reporting documents, communications, workshops, etc.

●      Oversee agenda planning for both team’s in-person meetings and other team functions.

●      Help respond to additional information requests from partners, as needed.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

●      A track record of passion for social justice and/or climate issues (e.g., in coursework or professional history) preferable.

●      A bachelor’s degree and 2-4 years’ experience and/or Master’s plus 1 year of experience

●      Attention to detail and strong organizational skills

●      Ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision

●      Positive, collaborative personality

●      Experience synthesizing research and analysis for time-pressed decision-makers

●      Strong writing, editing, and communications skills

●      Comfort using a range of organization software tools such as Salesforce, Asana, Office

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): $65,000 - $70,000 annually

Salary Range (Other US): $60,000 - $65,000 annually

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

Location

ClimateWorks Foundation is based in the San Francisco Financial District. This position is classified as US Flexible.

Commitment to Racial and Social Justice

At ClimateWorks Foundation, we are driven by our vision of creating a thriving planet for all living beings for generations to come. We aim to foster an inclusive workplace that values diverse lived experiences and emphasizes the voices of marginalized people — especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color — who are most vulnerable to climate impacts, and whose voices, ideas, and leadership are crucial to winning the climate fight.

To ensure that we are making meaningful progress, we have made a set of diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments across all dimensions of our work to further our mission and realize our vision. For more information, please visit: Fostering Racial and Social Justice in Pursuit of our Mission

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at ClimateWorks Foundation and as such we are committed to creating a diverse and multi-cultural work environment. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race), ethnicity, religion, color, sex (including childbirth, breast feeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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.

ClimateWorks Foundation is committed to complying with all laws protecting qualified individuals with disabilities, as well as employees’ religious beliefs and practices. 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. ClimateWorks Foundation will provide a reasonable accommodation for any known physical or mental disability of a qualified individual and/or employees’ religious beliefs and practices, as required by law.

If you require an accommodation, please notify Human Resources. Once ClimateWorks Foundation is aware of the need for an accommodation, it will engage in an interactive process to identify possible accommodations.

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. This is a 12-18 months termed role, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability.

Benefits

ClimateWorks offers an excellent benefits package:

Healthcare Plans:

Multiple options available through Kaiser & UHC

• HMO - 100% coverage for employee and dependents
• POS - Employee pays difference beyond HMO coverage (3 out of 4 POS options are at 100% coverage for employee and dependents)
• Dental –100% coverage for employee and dependents
• Vision – 100% coverage for employee and dependents

Fertility Benefit

• Fertility care through Carrot Fertility. Access to on-demand doctor-approved content, pregnancy support, and virtual chats with medical, legal, and regulatory experts.

Disability Benefit (long and short-term)

Life Insurance (3x base salary up to $750k for employee only)

PTO

• 20 days (1st year)
• 25 days (2nd - 8th year)
• 30 days (9th year)

Holidays

• 11 Observed and 2 floating

401k Plan

• After 6 months of service, CWF automatically contributes 9% of gross earnings per pay period to retirement fund*
• After 6 months of service, CWF matches 100% of employee contributions up to a max of 6% of gross earnings per pay period*