Job Description

ABOUT SEQUOIA CLIMATE FOUNDATION

Sequoia Climate Foundation is a climate philanthropy that believes in a world powered by clean energy, where all people are protected by policies that have averted the worst effects of climate change. We support bold strategies and efforts that will have both near-term impact and the greatest probability of long-term success. We believe that solving climate change requires the adoption of ambitious, evidence-based policy solutions that transform markets, advance clean technology, and lead to large‐scale change.

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Officer, Legal Strategies will report to and work closely with the Program Director and Program Manager, Legal Strategies and collaborate with Sequoia Climate Foundation leadership to support the development and execution of global strategies aligned with the organizational mission and vision. This includes compiling the research and evidence necessary to assess potential impact and success, identifying the organizations best positioned to execute them, and actively engaging with grantees to ensure alignment and robust execution. The program officer supports the full lifecycle of grantmaking—participating in outreach and engagement with prospective grantees, contributing to the evaluation and selection process, helping shape project timelines and pipelines, and assisting with the execution of grants from initiation through completion.The Program Officer role also partners with program leadership on key initiatives to make a global impact and engages with peer networks, lawyers and legal organizations, government officials, thought leaders, and key stakeholders to assess emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & KEY OUTCOMES

• Support Sequoia’s efforts to determine strategic priorities and set operational plans by conducting research and analysis on specific programs and climate sector trends.
• Bring catalytic thinking to the development of and management of evidence-based legal grantmaking strategies and processes that contribute to transformational change on a global scale.
• Monitor developments in the field to identify emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities for driving ambitious climate action.
• Engage peer networks, funders, legal actors, government officials, and other stakeholders to help develop strategies and identify organizations best positioned to execute those strategies.
• Present strategic analysis results verbally and in writing through memos, background papers, presentations, graphs, and charts both internally and externally.
• Support all aspects of strategy execution and grantmaking, including initial screening of potential grantees, analyzing background information, soliciting, developing funding proposals, and preparing grant recommendations.
• Serve as the point of contact for select grantees to learn from and steward the relationship, conduct site visits as needed, and monitor the impact of grants.
• Support the forecasting of grant payments and serve as a compliance checkpoint to ensure grantmaking stays within yearly budgets.
• Maintain grants database, budget spreadsheets, and grant calendars, and coordinate grant processes for the team.
• Assists with program and goals development, tracking, and keeping the leadership team apprised of the most critical internal deadlines and external areas of interest that impact Sequoia’s programs.
• Assist team with planning and coordinating meetings, travel, workshops, and convenings; make logistical arrangements as needed; manage consultant contracts.
• Supports the maintenance of annual administrative budgets for programmatic expenses.
• Handle simultaneous deadlines and complete assignments.
• Performs other duties as required.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS

• Bachelor’s degree required. Law degree (U.S. or international) strongly preferred.
• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in governance, legal practice, or legal philanthropy preferably in climate, energy, environmental, human rights, and/or public interest law.
• Knowledge of international law and non-U.S. legal regimes, as well as U.S. law.
• Understanding of global climate and energy organization ecosystems preferred.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, showcasing the capacity to establish and sustain effective working relationships internally and with a diverse array of external partners.
• Robust aptitude for strategic thinking, goal setting, and prioritization, employing pragmatic and multifaceted approaches to ensure high-quality results.
• Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit, capable of identifying and seizing new opportunities, and collaborating effectively within diverse teams.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, demonstrating clarity and persuasiveness in both writing and speaking.

COMPETENCIES

• Development: Continuous learning focus to enhance skills, knowledge, and capabilities
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively and effectively with others (internally and externally), sharing information and building relationships to achieve goals. Prioritizing creating and maintaining a trustworthy, transparent, and psychologically safe environment.
• Innovation: Embracing ambitious goals to foster a culture that supports bold ideas, continuous improvement, and visionary practices.
• Adaptability: Remaining flexible and effective in response to changing circumstances, priorities, or environments. Willingness to be nimble as we navigate complexity.
• Conflict Management: Actively addressing and resolving conflicts in a constructive manner to make decisions that are thoughtful and inclusive, consider the input of relevant stakeholders and align with the Sequoia’s goals and values.
• Risk Management: Systematically identifies, assesses, and addresses potential risks to minimize their impact.
• Productivity: Maximizing efficiency and effectiveness to achieve optimal performance and output.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 15 lbs. Requires the ability to periodically travel locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

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