Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Climate Alliance

The United Nations Foundation is hiring a Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Climate Alliance, based in Washington, DC, with a salary range of $110,000 to $120,000. The role involves providing policy guidance to governors' offices on electricity sector solutions, managing working groups, and collaborating with various partners. The position allows for remote work within the contiguous United States, supporting state-level climate action initiatives.
The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $120,000.


Position Overview


The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors securing America’s net-zero future with state-led, high-impact climate action. The Alliance Secretariat helps its member states and territories accelerate climate action by providing a broad range of technical, analytical, policy, and capacity assistance and resources. It also coordinates engagement with local, federal, and international partners to drive durable and impactful solutions across government. For more on the Alliance, visit www.usclimatealliance.org.


The U.S. Climate Alliance seeks a Senior Policy Advisor to support governors’ offices in the advancement of policy solutions in the electricity sector. This position serves as primary advisor to Alliance members on relevant state and federal policy matters; manages day-to-day efforts of the Electricity Policy Working Group and relevant cohorts, including on nuclear and geothermal energy; leads activities of the State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative; provides guidance to states in the development and implementation of relevant state-level policies and programs; maintains relationships with sectoral national partners in the nonprofit and advocacy communities; tracks sector-based policy actions at the state and federal levels and regularly updates members; advises on and supports sector-based technical assistance projects; and collaborates with the Alliance’s federal affairs team to facilitate state engagement on key federal rules and actions. They may also be expected to advise on additional policy sectors as assigned.


The Senior Policy Advisor reports to the Policy Director and works as part of a broader team that includes Alliance states, consultants, and external partners.


The position is based in Washington, D.C., with consideration for remote work in the contiguous United States (hybrid schedule).


Essential Functions


Provide policy guidance to states and track relevant policy developments



Support Alliance members in the development, adoption, and implementation of state-level policies and programs related to the electricity sector, identifying opportunities to raise ambition where possible
Provide Alliance states with expert guidance, tools, and resources to act on emerging policy opportunities and demonstrate political and sectoral leadership
Contribute to the Alliance’s policy tracking efforts by conducting research, actively monitoring relevant updates at the state and federal levels, and supporting regular updates to the Alliance’s Policy Database
Oversee technical assistance projects that support specific-sector policy priorities, including by managing vendors, ensuring grant deliverables are met, and supporting state policy activities based on project outcomes
Help states identify and secure sources of federal, private-sector, and philanthropic resources to accelerate policy advancement in the electricity sector
Maintain relationships with relevant national partners in the nonprofit and advocacy communities
Advise on additional policy sector(s) as assigned and provide back-up coverage for at least one additional sector.

Lead and develop multistate working group(s), initiatives, and convenings



Direct and manage day-to-day efforts of the Electricity Policy Working Group and subject-specific cohorts (e.g., nuclear and geothermal energy), including developing and leading standing meetings and regular communications
Consult with states on areas of focus, agenda development, and identification of action items and key barriers
Where appropriate, support the development and execution of new multistate policy efforts (e.g., cohorts, task forces, partnerships) that leverage opportunities for collective ambition, policy adoption, goal-setting, or market transformation
Engage stakeholders and key external partners to scope and implement projects
Track and follow up on action items.

Generate policy option papers, resource guides, letters, communications materials, and other major Alliance deliverables



At the request of Alliance states and Secretariat leadership, draft briefing papers and guides for states that analyze policy development and opportunities in the electricity sector. Make recommendations that are ambitious, politically feasible, and technologically possible.
Conduct policy research, analyze key sector trends, and draft chapters of the Alliance’s annual report that outline progress toward our climate goals
Lead the development and submission of multistate or coalition-wide letters to the federal government, in collaboration with the Alliance’s federal affairs team
Draft remarks, talking points, and other relevant communication materials
Contribute to products that help Alliance states improve quantification of opportunities, measure progress towards policy goals, and quantify the co-benefits of action
Conduct research and analysis and draft material for Alliance products across other sectors as needed.

Shape content and strategy for Alliance-wide meetings, workshops, and events



Work with Secretariat leadership, Alliance states, and outside experts to prepare meeting content and materials for Alliance meetings and events
Actively participate in the Alliance’s Semiannual Governor-Office Team Meetings in the spring and fall, including leading any sector-specific sessions and developing sector-specific content as needed
Contribute to invitation lists and key partner outreach for Alliance meetings and events.

Support fundraising for relevant policy efforts



Identify funding needs to execute on Alliance states’ electricity sector goals and support the development team with relevant sector-based fundraising efforts, including cultivating relationships with current and potential funders to support this work
In partnership with the Alliance’s development team, help write and submit grant applications for additional sources of philanthropic funding.

Manage relevant grants



Provide oversight and technical expertise for Alliance philanthropic grants that support activities in the electricity sector. With the operations team, manage spending against relevant budgets for these grants
With the operations and contracts team, review new contracts and grant agreements to advance activities in the electricity sector
Evaluate and contribute to funding award decisions for state technical assistance projects. Provide expertise, oversight, and support for relevant technical assistance projects that are funded by the Alliance.

Perform other duties as assigned


Selection Criteria



Bachelor’s degree with substantial work experience in climate, energy and/or environment policy. Preference may be given to candidates with a master’s degree
7-10 years of professional experience in related policy areas. Extensive experience working with governments required; direct experience working in, with, or around state-level government strongly preferred.
Commitment to advancing policy solutions in the U.S. that address climate change, reduce pollution, and increase resilience to climate impacts
Demonstrated aptitude for conducting research and analysis, developing presentations and briefing memos, and presenting to senior leaders
Exceptional verbal, written, and in-person communication skills
Critical thinker that can generate products tailored to different audiences without requiring frequent direction
Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder processes to build consensus, maintain trust, and support the achievement of shared goals and priorities. Past experience with multistate, national, or international coalitions strongly preferred
Adaptability to changing circumstances and eagerness to learn new policy areas
Familiarity with relevant U.S. climate-related datasets and tools
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite with demonstrated skill for using and displaying complex datasets in Microsoft Excel and/or other tools
Ability to work as part of a small team and prioritize multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Self-motivated with strong ability to find solutions in the face of challenges
Maximum flexibility in accepting and professionally executing a range of tasks
Ability to diplomatically engage diverse counterparts and use personal discretion in working with sensitive information
Ability to manage competing priorities.

Required Application Materials


It is required you upload your resume and a cover letter for this position. Your application will be considered incomplete without these items. Please note that we cannot consider your application without a resume and cover letter submission.


Benefits and Compensation


For full-time, U.S. benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:



a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
dental insurance
vision insurance
flexible spending accounts
403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
group term and supplemental life insurance
short-term disability
long-term disability
back-up care
employee assistance program

Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.