Senior Program Associate - Minerals for the 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 $1.3 billion in grants to more than 600 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. 

About the Road Transportation Program, and the Minerals for the Energy Transition Initiative

ClimateWorks Road Transportation Program works to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transportation in time to save the climate. We connect philanthropy to changemakers that are helping communities on the journey to fossil fuel-free cars, trucks, vans, and other vehicles. It houses a number of other key workstreams, including the Drive Electric Campaign, Battery Sustainability Initiative, and Minerals for the Energy Transition Initiative. 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.

Job Summary

The Senior Program Associate-Minerals for the Energy Transition Initiative, will be working closely and reporting to the Associate Director, Minerals Lead. Our very lean team of three plays a crucial role in coordinating and connecting the global strands of work on minerals, and the Senior Program Associate will work at a high level to support and build that connectivity internally and externally, as well as supporting the grantmaking and strategic development of our nascent initiative.

Our ideal candidate is a highly collaborative and self-starting individual, highly passionate about decarbonizing the material world, and is prepared to wear many hats to support the mission of our team.

Essential Tasks 

The Senior Associate is responsible for the following duties:

▪       Oversee program grants tracking, monitoring, and budgeting; ensuring grants are completed in a timely manner.

▪       Support research and analysis informing the development of program strategy across multiple areas.

▪       Help identify potential grantees, build relationships, and scope fundable projects.

▪       Ensure knowledge is shared through our network with written communications and helping organize online or in-person events.

▪       Develop processes for evaluating impact of the program’s activities, identify opportunities to improve them and implement team systems to improve operations.

▪       Increasingly act as a subject matter expert, point of contact, and representative of ClimateWorks in 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.

Required Qualifications

The successful applicant will have the following minimum qualifications:

▪       Strong project management skills based on at least five years’ experience with at least 3 years of experience in a relevant sector energy transition, sustainable international development, in non-profits or foundations

▪       Work experience or formal training on climate change, including technical, political, and economic drivers.

▪       Experience working in or with lived experience in emerging economies

▪       Detail oriented with strong analytical skills.

▪       Excellent relationship management and collaboration skills.

▪       Excellent written and oral communications skills, including writing for general

▪       audiences.

▪       Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal

▪       supervision.

▪       Good personal and interpersonal communications skills

▪       Ability to initiate and manage projects

▪       Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed

Other desired qualifications include:

●      Advanced degree in environmental policy or other relevant fields is preferred.

●      Ability and willingness to travel as needed, likely at least one trip per quarter

●      Resourcefulness, good judgment, and a commitment to excellence and integrity.

●      Commitment to the mission and values of ClimateWorks Foundation.

●      Caring and generous attitude toward colleagues, grantees, and partners, and a commitment to supporting people to build careers and institutions.

●      Commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment.

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): $90,000 - $95,000 annually

Salary Range (Other US): $85,000 - $90,000 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. Exceptional candidates can work from the SF office or from other locations, geographic differential applied to compensation based on local cost of labor.

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.

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*