Strategy, Impact, and Learning Associate (contract position)

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. 

Department Summary

The Strategy, Impact, and Learning (SIL) team drives strategic planning and initiatives, supports monitoring and evaluation activities, and facilitates continuous learning across ClimateWorks. We work to develop strategies that address the pressing challenges of climate change while simultaneously assessing impact and developing a compelling narrative around our progress and that of our partners. Our approach to learning is collaborative, equitable, and proactive. We aim to support teams as they learn and adapt strategies ​​and to support climate philanthropy as we collectively seek to end the climate crisis.

The Strategy, Impact and Learning Associate will report to the Director of Strategy, Impact and Learning during this one-year contract position.

Job Summary

In this position, the Associate reports to the Director of SIL, Janine Saunders, and collaborates closely with key departments and staff. In doing so, the Associate will be supporting an in-house strategy function that facilitates internal collaboration and processes necessary to drive effective strategy and deliver outstanding results across the organization as well as the broader climate philanthropy ecosystem. Success for this position will mean that CWF’s strategies create measurable, sustainable change in the climate sector and that CWF continues to be a best-in-class learning organization that can expertly respond to emerging opportunities and challenges in the field.

Essential Tasks  

Strategy Development Support

• In collaboration with the Director and SIL team, support an integrated ClimateWorks strategy development process for organization-wide efforts, including, but not limited to, ClimateWorks’ strategic planning efforts which are slated to begin in 2024.
• Support an agile, inclusive, and results-oriented strategy support function that enables CWF’s programs and services to create smart, robust, iterative, and effective strategies.
• Draft materials and communicate effectively internally and externally about CWF’s strategic direction and its approach to measuring success and impact.
• Project management of organization-wide efforts, including, but not limited to, ClimateWorks’ strategic planning efforts

Data and Learning Systems

• Assist with data collection, cleaning, and reporting on organization impact and results
• Support with the maintenance of teams’ dashboards and assist with ad hoc requests on additional learning as needs arise Something about the Dashboard
• Assist with data quality control, performing regular audits to ensure data integrity
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with program teams and other staff in order to encourage timely responses and facilitate strong connections around our shared missions 
• Work across teams and additional databases that integrate with Salesforce, to help maintain data integrity across systems
• Support the program and development teams with fundraising and proposal writing efforts by contributing to the development and refinement of key performance indicators, objectives and key results, and other similar MLE components
• Facilitate and support processes around evaluations, including the development of Requests for Proposals (RfPs), selection of evaluators, initiation of contracts, etc., ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow.

Administrative

• Provide general support by scheduling internal and external meetings, maintaining paper and electronic files, and other administrative duties as needed
• Manage grants and contracts related to the SIL team as necessary
• Provide general administrative support and assist with other projects as assigned

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 2-3 years of experience in an analyst, research, or evaluation role; experience working in the climate philanthropy field a plus
• A passion for clean and organized data, including the innate curiosity and drive to identify the source of data errors and their solutions
• Immaculate attention to detail and strong organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Proficiency with or ability to quickly learn new technologies
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to communicate in a friendly, patient, and professional manner with other CWF departments and with foundation partners
• Experience providing high level customer service to clients or partners a plus 
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision and collectively as part of a team with colleagues at all levels
• Demonstrated success in project management, multi-tasking and meeting deadlines
• Willingness to take initiative, help problem-solve and work cross-functionally across departments to support short-term and long-term SIL and organizational goals
• Commitment to ClimateWorks’ mission and values
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment
• ClimateWorks Foundation is committed to building a staff that reflects the global community our mission serves. Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Compensation 

This position is a contract position with employment terms negotiated through the foundation’s staffing agency.

• Tier 1 (Bay Area / NYC): $38 to $40  (hourly rate)
• Tier 2(Other US): $35 to $38 (hourly rate)

Location 

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