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 Europe, International, Youth and Communications, and the successful applicant will have exposure to each of these areas alongside contributing to implementation of its Global Europe Mission. The role will also support the delivery of CIFF’s International Strategy, which seeks to reinforce delivery of the Paris Agreement by fostering cooperation and collaboration between diverse actors, promoting participation and leadership of the most vulnerable, and strengthening multilateral systems while connecting CIFF’s sectoral and regional programmes to these.

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 conduct analysis and research on specific projects and sector trends related to international climate governance, regional cooperation, and multilateral processes (as well as broader Europe, Youth and Communications objectives) to support the Climate Sector senior management team (SMT) in determining future strategic priorities and setting operational plans.

• Provide and communicate global, regional, national and sectoral insights both verbally and in writing, which contribute to the strategy and planning process.

• Support the professional organisation, documentation and presentation of outputs from strategy and planning processes.

• Assist the team in preparing aspects of programme strategy and evidence base, working with global colleagues and in-country experts.

Programme development, delivery & performance 

• Lead the end-to-end administration of the grants management process (from agreement formation through output tracking and making payments) to enable the team to deliver and monitor its philanthropic activity efficiently and effectively.

• Lead the preparation and dissemination of reporting on sectoral and programme performance, to ensure colleagues and partners have access to accurate management information.

• Work closely with members of the Finance team to coordinate the forecasting and delivery 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 timely, high-quality summary reports, board reports and portfolio investment reports.

• Analyse programme data on a regular basis, in consultation with the Evidence Measurement and Evaluation (EME) team, to identify progress and areas for improvement.

• In collaboration with partners, conduct regular reviews of programme performance to identify problems and delays and implement effective solutions.

Sector knowledge and profile-building 

• Working closely with the internal and external stakeholders, 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.
• Attend meetings and seminars on relevant topics to inform your own understanding of key issues and disseminate to the wider team.

• Track regional and international climate discussions and associated fora to provide timely insights and inform CIFF and grantee activities.

Stakeholder and partner management 

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and systems on behalf of the team, to ensure CIFF maintains a coordinated and professional approach to stakeholder management.

• Act as the first point of contact for external enquiries about CIFF’s International Strategy and Programme or requests to partner with CIFF.

• 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 

• The successful applicant will be working in a friendly, supportive team with a range of skills and experience. The 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.

• We operate a matrix structure so reporting lines can vary between specific aspects of the role, but with a dedicated line manager to provide support and guidance.

Requirements

Skills & Experience  

• A good understanding of climate issues and how they are addressed in international fora

• Previous relevant work experience in the private sector, public sector or an international development context

• Demonstration of professional, sound judgement; with the ability to think critically, objectively and strategically

• Strong interpersonal skills – able to engage 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)

• 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

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. All these will be prorated to the fixed term.

• 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 1st July 2024. CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.