Position title: Senior Advisor, Climate Action
Location: Remote, United States | (Remote)
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Provide global leadership to refine and implement CRS’ GHG emissions reduction and environmental sustainability strategy.
- Present and seek input from leaders and CAWG members into CRS’ emissions reduction and environmental sustainability strategy, addressing any key concerns and ensuring appropriate communication, transparency and buy-in.
- Engage with CRS executive leadership (EAC and OOLT) to facilitate understanding of environmental sustainability strategies and ensure commitment to the agency’s strategy.
- Advise regional, country and HQ colleagues on how to prioritize emissions reduction strategies, providing technical resources and guidance to strengthen prioritization and decision-making.
- Identify workstreams where subject matter experts are needed and work with executive sponsors to advocate for resources as needed.
Management & Supervision
- Directly supervise the Carbon Accounting Data analytics lead.
- Work with the CAWG workstream co-leads and other key staff across the regions and CPs providing a % of LOE to specific CAWG projects, at times supervising short-term assignments.
- Lead the relationship with Villanova University (technical partner for GHG emissions inventory).
- Oversee the contract of the global renewable energy consultant.
- Manage the CAWG budget which supports the different workstreams.
Representation and Influence
- Maintain key networks across the climate action space, within the humanitarian and development sectors and beyond, identifying opportunities for CRS to contribute to learning and influence.
- Participate and represent CRS in key working groups and initiatives (or coordinate participation of CRS staff) including Inter-Action, ICRC, EcoAct, WREC, BHA Join Initiative on sustainable humanitarian assistance packaging and waste management etc., Reseau environment humanitaire (REH) etc.
- Represent CRS' GHG emissions and environmental sustainability approaches to donors, funders, stakeholders and partners.
- Coordinate internal communications regarding the CAWG workstreams, ensuring targeted communications for different levels of leadership and staff across the agency.
- Participate in internal climate change technical working group which brings together a sub set of staff working in the climate change space across operations, programming and advocacy.
Implementation
- Develop and oversee the development of guidance/tools/resources to support country program and regional teams to implement emissions mitigation strategies and waste reduction strategies.
- Pilot resources, integrate feedback and understand any gaps or areas which would benefit from additional support.
- Understand where the donor compliance space is heading for environmental compliance. Assess how CRS is positioned to meet those requirements and develop workstreams to prepare for compliance.
- Oversee the rollout of a new agency wide system and process for capturing GHG emissions.
- Lead the approach for expansion of Scope 3 to include supply chain and contracted logistics GHG emissions.
- Collaborate with the global supply chain team to develop a sustainability in procurement strategy.
- Develop and/or curate learning content to increase awareness and engagement of key climate action topics.
Qualifications:
- Masters or higher advanced degree in environmental policy or management, carbon management, sustainable engineering, energy efficiency and renewable energies or other climate change related specialties preferred. An MBA or organizational management degree combined with experience and/or a strong interest in environmental sustainability work could be considered.
- Minimum of 8 years of working with INGOs or comparable organizations in different capacities including operational and/or systems roles, program management including leading design processes, start-up and implementation including monitoring and evaluation. Comparable experience in the private sector particularly if combined with focus in environmental sustainability/ESG policies/ net zero commitments also considered.
- Progressive leadership experience a plus. Experience working in field offices a plus.
- Minimum of 5 years managing and leading teams, including teams with wide ranging technical expertise. Experience leading teams with non-traditional structures a plus (matrix management/university partners/consultants/short-term assignments).
- Experience with or a strong degree of interest in one of the following a plus: carbon accounting, operational efficiency strategies, renewable energy, circular economy and waste management.
- Strong understanding of the environmental sustainability space.
- Experience in leading change management and/or strategic processes within organizations, experience in influencing senior leadership and navigating competing perspectives.
- Excellent writing skills and strong attention to detail.
- Excellent skills and experience in facilitation and presentation internally and externally.
- Strong communication and presentation skills including in cross-cultural settings.
- Understanding of and willingness to work within the Church structure and policies.
- Oral and written fluency in English is required and ability to work and communicate in French, /Spanish or Arabic is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel). Web Conferencing Applications and strong understanding of information and budget management systems and knowledge-sharing networks.
- Ability to multitask and organize several different initiatives.
- Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise Carbon Accounting Data Analytics lead.
Key Working Relationships
Internal: Executive leadership including executive sponsors of the CAWG, Regional Directors; Deputy Regional Directors for Operations, Heads of Operations, country program operations staff; CAWG workstream leads and co-leads, country program climate action champions, Humanitarian Response Team staff, other staff working on climate change programs and initiatives in PIQA (Program Impact Quality Assurance), Mission and Mobilization.
External: Manage external consultants (e.g., global renewable energy consultant). Manage relationships with University partners (e.g., Villanova University). Build constructive relationships with donors, peer organizations, key actors in GHG emissions accounting and environmental sustainability space.
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Physical Requirements/Environment
Normal conditions for an office environment. This position will require travel up to 10%, including in developing country contexts.
NOTE: This is a global remote position; CRS will give preference to candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees.
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.
EOE/M/F/D/V - CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
CRS is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Selection and hiring decisions are made without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, veteran status or any other protected area.
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