Main purpose of the role

The CIFF Climate team is driven by a vision of a climate-safe future for today’s children and future generations. We support the urgent global transition to a zero-carbon society. We are committed to strategies that get to the heart of the greatest climate challenges and are willing to support new approaches to accelerate action and the step-change in ambition required to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees C.

CIFF has a large climate portfolio across a range of sectors and geographies, alongside a track record of supporting global climate policy, governance and institutions. This role sits in a team also focused on climate issues across climate finance and corporate accountability, and the successful applicant will have exposure to food systems, land use and climate litigation.

While a good understanding of relevant issues and actors is important, we recognise the value of diverse expertise and encourage applications from anyone with experience in relevant climate and international fields.

The role is dynamic and diverse. You will have the opportunity to work with a wide portfolio of organisations and grantees on a range of issues. You will provide programme management oversight, support administrative, research and engagement activities and be encouraged to contribute to strategy design and implementation, with the opportunity to manage and lead your own grants and partnerships.

CIFF offers a broad range of opportunities to work with leading experts in their fields as well as ongoing learning and development opportunities, including a personal allowance to be spent on any relevant career training every year. Your contribution will be integral to supporting CIFF and our partners – some of the best climate actors in the field – to deliver an ambitious agenda.

Role’s responsibilities

Strategy & planning

• Working alongside senior colleagues, collate and/or conduct analysis and research on specific projects and sector trends in order to support the shaping of strategies and investments related to different sectors such as food systems, land use and climate litigation.
• Working closely with the relevant teams, build and maintain a range of relevant knowledge and information resources, to enable the team to access high quality intelligence, analysis and data to inform current and future programme activity.
•  Provide and communicate global, regional, national and sectoral insights both verbally and in writing, which contribute to the strategy and planning process.
• Undertake other specific research projects required, as directed by members of the team.
• Support the Executive Director (ED) and Senior Management Team in the organisation, coordination, documentation and professional presentation of outputs from the strategy and planning process.
• Prior to approval of a programme proposal, assist the team in preparing aspects of the programme strategy and evidence base, working with wider teams and in country experts.

Programme development, delivery & performance

• Work with Programme Directors and Managers in collaborating with grantees to support and shape their delivery strategies, identifying course corrections and opportunities to accelerate impact and supporting the shaping of future plans.
• Support the identification of and embedding of appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes for investments and Missions.
• In collaboration with partners, conduct regular reviews of programme progress to identify problems and delays and implement effective solutions.
• Develop new investments, working with Programme Directors and Managers to identify potential new grantees and new areas of focus in order to achieve CIFF’s key missions.
• Manage the end-to-end administration of the grants management process (from investment memo through to final payment), suggesting improvements where appropriate, to enable the team to deliver and monitor its philanthropic activity efficiently and effectively.
• Manage the preparation and dissemination of regular and ad hoc reporting on sector/portfolio/programme performance, to ensure colleagues and partners (as required) have access to accurate and relevant management information.
•  Work closely with members of the Finance team to coordinate the forecasting of grant payments, to enable effective cash flow management and reporting within the organisation.
•  Act as ‘Super-User’ for a range of IT systems and databases for the team, ensuring they are deployed appropriately to optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of its work, and trouble- shooting issues if they arise.
•  Support the development and preparation of summary reports, board reports and portfolio investment reports, to ensure these are produced to a high standard and in a timely fashion.

Ecosystem development and external leadership

• Support Programme Managers, Directors and the Partnerships Team in developing and managing collaborations and convenings with other funders, grantees and partners to strengthen the climate action ecosystem.
• Provide analytical and administrative support to assist in the production and presentation of high-quality thought leadership, PR and marketing materials for the team, ensuring compliance with corporate branding and communications guidelines.
• In accordance with corporate guidelines and requirements, maintain accurate and up-to-date records and systems on behalf of the team, to ensure CIFF can take a coordinated and professional approach to managing stakeholders and partners.
• Act as a point of contact for external enquiries about the work of the Sector or requests to partner with CIFF, to ensure these are dealt with in a professional and timely way.
•  Collate research and information on potential and current partners/stakeholders as required, to support the effective development of relationships and opportunities by the team.

Membership of the team

•  This role does not hold line management responsibility, but we expect all employees to demonstrate good leadership behaviours; this includes adopting a coaching approach with colleagues to help build skills, confidence and capability in particular areas, processes or procedures.
• As required, support on the planning and coordination of inductions for new joiners to the team.
• We operate a matrix structure so reporting lines can vary between specific aspects of the role.

Requirements

Skills & Experience   

• Understanding of relevant programming in CIFF’s priority impact areas; experience of land use or climate law and litigation is desirable.
• Previous analysis / research work experience in the private sector, public sector, NGOs or an international development context
• Demonstrate professional, sound judgement; can think critically, objectively and strategically
• Strong interpersonal skills – engages with others to get the best out of them and works well as part of a team
• Effective organisational and project management skills; able to be flexible as priorities and needs change, and works well under pressure
• English is CIFF’s business language – we expect all of our people to display outstanding verbal and written communication skills across all aspects of their role
• Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness
• IT proficiency (most specifically in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and ability to learn new systems)
• Ability to work well independently; a motivated self-starter, with good initiative and problem-solving skills

Key working relationships 

• Other CIFF teams – particularly Regional Teams, Ecosystem Development, and EME
• Global partners and stakeholders – ranging from small civil society organisations to large international institutions
• National governments and UN agencies partners in priority geographies

Management dimensions 

• No direct budget or people management accountability, but manages a range of grantee relationships and contributes to the efficient operation of their team.

Benefits

The starting salary for this role is GBP 36,800 per annum.

CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees works some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process.

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Annual leave – 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service, to a maximum of 30 days.
• Bonus – CIFF currently operates a discretionary bonus scheme.
• Pension
• Private medical insurance
• Training allowance
• Wellbeing allowance
• Life insurance

Please submit your application on or before 25th October 2024. CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.