The Organization

Founded in 1987, the Biodiversity Funders Group (BFG), formerly the Consultative Group on Biological Diversity, is a professional association of grantmaking foundations whose shared vision is for a sustainable, just and healthy future for all life on Earth, supported by a vibrant and effective philanthropic sector.

BFG is building a community of foundation leaders who learn from each other; share the knowledge that resides in their separate foundations; adopt an holistic, integrated approach to environmental analysis and problem-solving; are well-informed about the current state of scientific, economic and political factors affecting their work; whose short-term strategies are informed by a broad-scale, long-range assessment of future trends; and who actively pursue collaborative endeavors.

BFG supports member-driven programs and projects that focus on climate change and energy, marine ecosystems, land and freshwater conservation, conservation science, the Gulf of California, the Amazon Basin, and international biodiversity issues. 

Position Overview

The mission of BFG’s Climate and Energy Funders Group (CEFG) is to create a strong and effective funding community committed to combatting climate change and building a global clean energy economy. We do this by:

1. Building knowledge, promoting learning, information sharing, and dialogue.
2. Facilitating funder collaboration and connectivity.
3. Sustaining and expanding the field of climate and energy philanthropy.

The CEFG Program Outreach Associate will work closely with the Program Director and participating foundations. The successful candidate will be a core team member charged with meeting the growing needs of the CEFG. This is a mid-level/early career position designed to support focused funder work groups and collaboratives, comprised of funders working together in a specific geography (e.g. the Midwest) or around a strategic focus (e.g. carbon pricing); topics will shift as needs and opportunities shift in the climate and clean energy arena. The Program Outreach Associate will cultivate, manage and grow key relationships and build the funder collaborations. The current work groups are the Carbon Pricing Workgroup, Energy Efficiency Workgroup, and the Midwest Climate and Energy Funders Group.

Responsibilities

The position includes a variety of programmatic, communication, administrative, and outreach responsibilities.

• Work with foundations in the CEFG network and the Program Director to identify and support funder collaboratives or work groups around key issues or target geographies.
• Schedule and coordinate work group meetings, including logistics and agenda development.
• Expand the work groups through outreach.
• Manage monthly webinars including programming, scheduling speakers, holding planning calls, and managing the technology.
• Coordinate with advocates working on strategic topics and regions identified as a high priority.
• Help manage online connectivity, including listservs for CEFG and work groups.
• Facilitate identifying priorities and goals for CEFG and work groups.
• Assist the Program Director in general learning and networking activities.
• Assist in developing grant proposals and reports.
• Prepare and distribute a monthly email update to funders.
• Track expenses and prepare budgets.
• Represent CEFG at various meetings.
• Respond to foundations requests for information and support.
• Travel requirement: 5-10% of time (4-6 out of town meetings per year).

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following qualities, skills, and experience:

• Experience working with a network or coalition.
• Knowledge of climate change policy, programs and organizations.
• General knowledge of nonprofit program management procedures.
• Strong desire to work for an environmental organization and/or non-profit.
• Strong desire to carry out CEFG’s and BFG’s vision, mission and goals.
• Experience with outreach, communication and networking.
• Logistical skills in planning and implementing conferences and meetings.
• Experience in writing grant proposals.
• Resourceful nature, able to multitask, prioritizes and manages time effectively.
• Good team player, positive attitude.
• Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and warmly, both orally and in writing.
• Unfailingly courteous and diplomatic.
• Demonstrated responsibility, dependability, and confidentiality in the performance of all job functions.

Physical Demands

• Required to sit for long periods of time.
• Extensive use of computer, keyboard and mouse
• Bend to file or retrieve documents
• Occasional light physical effort required
• Ability to lift and carry up to approximately 30 pounds

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this description.

Compensation

This is a full-time position. The CGBD offers an excellent benefits package. Salary range is $48,000-$58,000, depending on qualifications.  The Consultative Group on Biological Diversity is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should e-mail a substantive cover letter, explaining how your skills and background fit this position, and a resume to [email protected]. Please reference Program Outreach Associate in the subject line.