The Skoll Global Threats Fund is building a world-class team of individuals dedicated to pooling their talents, networks, and knowledge to finding and promoting innovative solutions to the globe’s most challenging problems. Join us.

Social Science Research Associate
Program Associate, Water Security
Manager, Climate Learning Initiative

  • Social Science Research Associate

    We are seeking a creative and energetic team player to help develop and lead the research efforts of our new Climate Learning Initiative. The Research Associate will be responsible for keeping track of new research and tools used in the area of behavior and cognitive science, and communications and public engagement; summarizing and translating relevant research for network partners; and identifying and leading some original research, as appropriate. The Research Associate must be flexible and able to contribute to and help to shape an evolving initiative plan. The Research Associate will report to the Director of Climate Change.

    Primary duties and responsibilities

    Working closely with the Director of Climate Change, the Research Associate will:

  • Provide content expertise in social science and related tools relevant to climate communication, public engagement, and persuasion.
  • Conduct independent and collaborative research to support building an evidence-based approach to climate engagement.
  • Help to lead our effort to integrate experimentation into network outreach efforts and develop an approach of evaluation.
  • Manage research efforts carried out by contractors and grantees.
  • Maintain an online collaborative space for research and program activities.
  • Support efforts to communicate scientific information to a non-technical audience both within the Skoll network and externally.
  • Provide general research support to SGTF program teams as needed.

 

Knowledge, skills, and assets

  • Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
  • Minimum of Masters Degree in psychology, cognitive science, decision support, or related field. PhD preferred.
  • Significant expertise in survey development and use for understanding public engagement and social change.
  • Excellent research and analytical skills.
  • Systems thinker; experience working with interdisciplinary teams.
  • Strong knowledge of climate and sustainability issues.
  • Knowledge of climate and environmental science strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience working with and communicating science to non-technical audiences.
  • Demonstrated competence to assess priorities and concurrently manage a variety of activities effectively.
  • Excellent written and verbal skills, presentation skills and teamwork skills.
  • Ability to multi-task with strong attention to detail.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with positive attitude; desire and ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
  • Ability to problem solve and find creative solutions.
  • Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
  • Ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion.
  • Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Sites.
  • Strong knowledge of tools for managing online collaborative work environments preferred.

 

Compensation

The position is non-exempt, plus bonus potential. Benefits include employer paid medical, dental, vision, matching 403(b), and paid parking or transit subsidy.

Applicants

Send a cover letter and resume to mskarenrea@gmail.com. Please specify Social Science Research Associate in the message subject line. In your cover letter please tell us how your specific experiences and accomplishments match our needs and mission. We will contact qualified applicants. Deadline for submission is April 28, 2013.

 


  • Program Associate, Water Security

    The Fund is seeking a creative and energetic team player to provide support to our new Climate and Water Security Initiative. The Program Associate will report to the Water Security Manager and will also work closely with the Director of Climate Change.

    Primary Responsibilities and Key Priorities

 

  • Serve as one of the content specialists on climate and water security.
  • Assist colleagues in building out the strategy and work plan, and operationalizing the Climate and Water Security initiative.
  • Assist in building, cultivating, and nurturing partner relationships and alliances and engaging with key constituents.
  • Provide strategic and planning support for meetings, workshops, conferences, and events related to climate and water security activities.
  • Follow and assess key developments in climate and water security issues globally and latest science breakthroughs.
  • Assist colleagues to identify grantmaking opportunities in climate and water security, conduct due diligence, make grant recommendations, manage grant relationships.

 

 

Knowledge, skills, and assets

  • Minimum of 3 years of work experience in the water sector.
  • Experience working at a Foundation preferred.
  • Experience working in developing countries required; experience working in South Asia strongly preferred.
  • Degree in earth systems science or engineering strongly preferred.
  • Masters Degree strongly preferred.
  • Strong knowledge of hydrology required; familiarity with climate and water data sets and models preferred.
  • Experience working with governments and/or multilateral agencies preferred.

 

Qualifications and abilities

  • Outstanding communication skills that manifest in high quality written documents, presentation and meeting materials, and verbal communication.
  • Consensus builder who is tactful in interactions with partners.
  • Ability to multi-task, maintain exceptional attention to detail, and proactively manage project timelines and deliverables.
  • Capacity to creatively address problems and find solutions.
  • Independent and self-motivated, able to take initiative in an entrepreneurial environment.
  • Professional decorum and discretion necessary to work with highly confidential information.
  • Humility and capacity to accept feedback regarding contribution to team performance in the interest of continuous improvement.
  • Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Familiarity with geospatial tools such as ArcGIS, GoogleEarth.
  • Excellent project management skills with the ability to act as a sounding board and thought partner.
  • Available for international travel.

 

Applicants
Send a cover letter and resume to mskarenrea@gmail.com. Please specify Program Associate in the message subject line. In your cover letter please tell us how your specific experiences and accomplishments match our needs and mission. We will contact qualified applicants. Deadline for submission is April 20, 2013.


  • Manager, Climate Learning Initiative

    The Fund is seeking a creative and energetic team player to help build and manage the new Climate Learning Initiative. Reporting to and working closely with the Climate Change Director, this key staff member will lead implementation of the program. In addition to maintaining relationships with key partners, the Manager, Climate Learning Initiative will manage a grant portfolio around U.S. climate engagement. This position will work with the team to drive deliverables and produce tangible results in climate advocacy. The Manager, Climate Learning Initiative will also be a strategic sounding board and thought partner to the Director, brainstorming solutions and translating those into action.

    For a detailed position specification please click here.

    Primary Responsibilities and Key Priorities:

    Strategic Support and Operations Management:

 

  • Lead implementation of the Climate Learning Initiative strategy
  • Work with the Climate Change Director to build out a work plan, participate in collective strategy building, and determine how to operationalize the learning component
  • Anticipate and meet deadlines, maintain records, track meetings, team duties and budgets

 

 

Partner Relationship Management:

  • Cultivate, nurture, and maintain partner relationships. Knowing the players in government, NGOs, foundations, and non-profits who focus on the climate will be essential to success.
  • Facilitate connections to partners; use strong project management skills to provide planning and logistical support for meetings, workshops, conferences, and events related to climate advocacy

 

Grant Management:

  • Build grantee relationships, screen prospective grantees, draft and edit grant proposal summaries
  • Make grant recommendations for management and board review
  • Respond promptly and respectfully to a variety of inquiries and grant proposals
  • Help deliver services, in addition to grants, that will provide value to grantees
  • Monitor grant processes, prepare key funding documents
  • Participate in the development of processes to measure, learn from, and improve impact

 

Qualifications and Abilities:

  • Outstanding communication skills which manifest in high quality written documents, presentation and meeting materials, and verbal communication
  • Consensus builder who is tactful in interactions with partners and grantees
  • Ability to multi-task, maintain exceptional attention to detail, and proactively manage project timelines and deliverables
  • Capacity to creatively address problems and find solutions
  • Independent and self-motivated, able to take initiative in an entrepreneurial environment
  • Professional decorum and discretion necessary to work with highly confidential information
  • Humility and capacity to accept feedback regarding contribution to team performance in the interest of continuous improvement
  • Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Practical understanding of tools for managing online collaborative work environments is preferred in order to facilitate a productive and connected work environment

 

Education and Experience:

Five or more years of project management experience is highly valued. Candidates need a foundation in climate change in order to understand the issues and have credibility with multiple partners and potential stakeholders, attend conferences, and contribute to producing tangible results in climate advocacy. Experience working in grant making or philanthropy and the private sector is valued. Advocacy experience is an advantage and an understanding of U.S. Climate Engagement is required. A Master’s degree in public policy, business or social science is strongly preferred.

To Apply:

Please send a 2-page resume and cover letter expressing how your interest and accomplishments align with our needs and mission. Address email to Jill Lindmeier at search@waldronhr.com. The Skoll Global Threats Fund is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.