Senior Coordinator, Climate Strategy

Conservation International is seeking a Senior Coordinator for Climate Strategy based in Arlington, VA. The role involves supporting the Climate Strategy team by managing logistics for climate events, improving internal processes, and advancing the organization's climate initiatives. Responsibilities include coordinating strategic engagement events, enhancing CI's partnerships, and monitoring progress toward climate goals. The position does not involve staff management and operates under general supervision.
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Arlington, VA

With growing evidence that nature can provide 30% or more of the climate mitigation needed to achieve the Paris climate target, Conservation International (CI) has set ambitious targets for helping the world realize the outsized potential of nature to address climate change. Our focus is on defining and executing creative solutions at the scale and speed needed to stabilize our climate while recognizing and benefiting the communities at the heart of natural climate solutions. We seek a Climate Strategy Senior Coordinator to support our climate change strategy.

The Senior Coordinator will support and a diverse workstream to support and guide critical work across the Moore Center for Science and Solutions’ Climate Strategy team, and across CI. This includes 1) Supporting and improving CI’s position as a leader, innovator, and collaborator through logistical management and supporting priority setting for CI’s involvement with external events, partnerships, and coalitions; 2) Supporting teams cross-organizationally to advance momentum and implementation of CI’s Climate Strategy; 3) Implementing and improving internal processes to monitor, evaluate, and track CI’s progress towards its’ Climate Strategy; 4) Supporting Jurisdictional REDD+ strategy implementation and monitoring to increase efficiency and alignment internally and elevating CIs leadership on JREDD+ externally. The Senior Coordinator reports to the Managing Director, Climate Change Strategy.

This position does not manage staff. Work is performed under general supervision.

Responsibilities

Strategic Climate Events & Campaigns:
• Support Managing Director, Climate Strategy, in convening cross-divisional planning groups to shape CI’s presence at key global convenings, including New York Climate Week and UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Conference of the Parties (COP). Support the development of strategic objectives for these climate events and oversee the selection process and shaping of events that CI will host or collaborate on with partners.
• Manage logistics for climate strategic engagement events, including contract oversight (hotel, venue, etc.), delegation support (including flights and hotels), and coordination of related meetings and stakeholder communications before/after events.
• Prepare communication materials (e.g., updates, readouts, summaries, announcements, briefings) and provide organization, logistical, and coordination support across key CI divisions and participants to enable successful event attendance and engagement.
• Support CI and Climate Strategy leadership by building, managing, and strengthening existing and new external strategic partnerships (e.g., Nature4Climate Coalition).

Climate Strategy
• Support CI’s Climate Strategy implementation and socialization by drafting communication materials related to CI’s internal Climate-focused strategies, coordinating key meetings/events and capacity-building activities, and maintaining and updating knowledge-sharing resources.
• Supporting the coordination of meetings, capacity building activities, inputs in proposal development or positions, organization of events, and other supporting activities related to the implementation of CI’s climate strategy.
• Manage internal processes to monitor, evaluate, and track CI’s progress towards its’ Climate Strategy.
• Support the Managing Director of Climate Strategy to integrate and socialize CI’s refreshed internal strategy, coordinating cross-organizationally to ensure cohesive messaging and understanding.
• As needed, conduct research and special projects related to advancing CI’s climate strategy by reviewing reports, policy briefs, project material, and/or scientific documents.

Jurisdictional REDD+ (JREDD+):
• Support JREDD+-related communications, meetings, coalitions/partnerships, and processes, including monitoring key internal and external REDD+ activities and projects and elevating emerging developments and issues.
• Coordinate cross-divisional JREDD+ team in developing JREDD+ proposals and project management systems.
• Support the JREDD+ team on internal special REDD+ projects based on skills and interests, taking on leadership as applicable (e.g., quantitative analysis, monitoring REDD+ media and communications, supporting strategic outreach to key REDD+ actors and partners).

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS
• Typical hybrid working environment, with 10 days/month in local CI office required.
• International and/or domestic travel may be required 2+ times per year.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some days remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

Qualifications

Required
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, social science, communications, business, or related fields is a plus.
• 2 to 4 years of work experience, including internships.
• Proficiency in database operations, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent communication skills, adaptive attitude, ability to take initiative to solve problems, and the ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple processes at a given time under a supervisor's direction.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail, proofreading skills, and the ability to work independently and within a global team framework with both internal and external partners.
• Ability to function well in a multicultural, diverse, and fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills in a fast-paced working environment with changing priorities.

Preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or interest in conserving nature and/or combating climate change, via career or personal pursuits.
• Workplan development and execution experience.
• Exposure to and understanding of UNFCCC processes, Jurisdictional REDD+.
• Spanish, Portuguese, or French competency.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: May 28, 2025 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.