The Center for International Environmental Law seeks a seasoned leader, manager and legal campaigner to become CIEL’s next Climate & Energy Program Director. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional and proven legal strategist to lead a dynamic team of attorneys and experts working at the cutting edge of international legal advocacy on climate change.
Since 1989, CIEL has used the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights and ensure a just and sustainable society. Our Climate & Energy program uses international and trans-boundary legal strategies to address the threat of climate change while advancing the cause of global human rights. We promote a rights-based approach to climate change by ensuring global climate policies respect and safeguard human rights and by providing legal support to affected peoples and communities in asserting and defending their rights. We work to reduce forest-related carbon emissions by working to stop illegal and unsustainable land-clearing and by ensuring forest communities have a strong voice in decisions over forest governance and land use. And to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels, CIEL has emerged as a thought leader and key partner in using innovative legal strategies to reduce fossil fuel investments and hold State and corporate actors accountable for their contributions to climate change. We seek a dynamic legal professional, seasoned strategist and effective manager to lead these efforts.
The Climate & Energy Program Director is a key leadership position that serves as CIEL’s institutional lead on climate and energy policy, and bears primary responsibility for the strategic development, day to day management and administrative oversight of the program. In consultation with the President and other relevant staff, the Program Director will recruit and retain high caliber staff, work with team members to define program objectives consistent with CIEL’s mission and strategic plan, secure program funding from foundations and donors, design and deliver campaigns consistent with objectives and available resources, and oversee administrative matters relating to the program.
The position is based in Washington, D.C., and requires frequent international travel.
The successful candidate will have a J.D. or equivalent degree; four or more years experience managing teams of lawyers or other professionals in an advocacy environment; seven to ten years of experience in climate law and policy; demonstrated success in implementing effective, high impact legal advocacy campaigns; exceptional research, writing and communication skills; and demonstrated success fundraising to support project goals. The ideal candidate will also have experience with litigation and other fields related to climate change, such as human rights, finance and trade; proficiency in one or more foreign languages; and a great sense of humor. A full description of the position’s requirements and responsibilities is available here. Salary is commensurate with experience.
To Apply: Please send a resume, cover letter, two references, and a writing sample to info@ciel.org (include “Climate & Energy Program Director” in subject line). The writing sample should represent the applicant’s own, unedited writing.
Application Deadline: Rolling. Position will be filled as soon as possible. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
About CIEL: CIEL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that uses the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL is an equal opportunity employer offering an informal, friendly and fun work environment with excellent benefits.