Director, Global Policy Project

06-Sep-2024

Director, Global Policy Project

University Administration

66824BR

Job Summary

The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University seeks an experienced leader and manager to serve as Director of the Global Climate Policy Project. Reporting to the Executive Director of the Salata Institute, the Director will work closely and collaboratively with the Project Co-Directors to accelerate global climate action through the development of innovative policy frameworks and strategies.

This is a senior-level position tasked with broad administrative and programmatic leadership, including responsibility for the overall administration, management, coordination, and implementation of project activities. This role requires a seasoned professional with a strong background in climate policy, particularly within multilateral development organizations. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in global climate governance, international relations, and policy analysis, with a proven track record of managing complex, multidisciplinary projects.

The Project will critically assess the current United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, explore alternative structures for international climate governance, and identify new policy levers that can address the complex and urgent challenges posed by climate change. The Project will involve a team of distinguished faculty from Harvard University and MIT, and it will engage a broad network of experts in international relations, economics, law, and technology.

The Salata Institute develops pathbreaking approaches to the climate crisis by harnessing the intellectual power of Harvard, leveraging expertise across the University, catalyzing new areas of research, and generating real-world world solutions in conjunction with policymakers and decision-makers around the world.

This is a two-year term position with the possibility of renewal.

Position Description

Key Responsibilities:

Project Management: Conduct the day-to-day operations of the Global Climate Policy Project, ensuring that all activities are executed on time, within scope, and on budget. This includes coordinating with the Project Faculty Co-Directors, the Project’s academic steering committee and external advisory board, and other stakeholders. 

Strategic Leadership: Work closely with the Project Faculty Co-Directors to set the Project’s strategic direction and ensure alignment with the overall goals. Provide thought leadership in the identification and development of new global policy initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, academic experts, and multilateral organizations. Facilitate consultations, interviews, and collaborative discussions that contribute to the Project’s outputs. Program and execute meetings, convenings, and other events that serve to disseminate the knowledge that the Project produces.

Research Coordination: Oversee the commissioning of discussion papers, policy briefs, and the final summary report. Coordinate the research efforts of faculty and external contributors, ensuring that outputs are of high quality and relevance.

Communication and Dissemination: In consultation with the Salata Institute’s Communications Director, formulate and execute the communication strategy for the Project, including the dissemination of findings to a broad audience of policymakers, academics, and the public. Ensure that the Project’s outputs are impactful and contribute to global policy discussions.

Fundraising and Budget Management: Work with the Project Faculty Co-Directors to secure additional funding for the project as needed. Manage the Project’s budget, ensuring efficient use of resources and compliance with institutional policies.

Personnel Supervision: Supervise 1-2 Project staff and Project student research assistants.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role:

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., environmental policy, international relations, economics, public policy).
• Minimum ten years of experience in climate policy, with a strong emphasis on work with multilateral development organizations or international institutions.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Proven experience managing complex, multidisciplinary projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of global climate governance, including the UNFCCC process and other international climate initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, manage budgets, and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
• Experience in fundraising and securing project funding is highly desirable.

Additional Information

• A cover letter is required.
• The position is based on the Harvard University campus with the option of working remotely one day per week.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening. 
• Harvard University is unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship. 
• This position has a 90-day orientation and review period. 

Accessibility: 

Harvard University IT plays an important role in supporting Harvard's commitment to accessibility by seeking to create, procure and deploy technologies that are accessible to all, including and especially those who live with disability. Harvard welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines. 

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

361060 Administrative Manager

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Interfaculty Initiatives

Salary Grade

060

Department

Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Appointment End Date

31-Dec-2026

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

Full time. Monday through Friday. 35 hours per week. 

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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