USA: Program Manager, Climate and Environmental Impacts

May 30, 2022 | InterAction
View Original

InterAction is the largest alliance of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the U.S., with over 190 members working in every developing country. Members are large and small, faith-based and secular, with a focus on the world’s most poor and vulnerable populations. The U.S. public, foundations and governments support the work of our members who collectively invest and manage over $18 billion a year. InterAction’s own funds come from dues and generous grants from others, such as foundations, corporations, and governments. Using its collective voice, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions as wide range of foreign assistance, relief, development, environmental and other issues that advance human dignity. To learn more about InterAction's mission, DEI approach, values and more visit the link: https://www.interaction.org/about-interaction/interactions-approach-todiversity-equity-inclusion/ 

Background

InterAction is recruiting a Program Manager, Climate and Environmental Impacts to support the Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements and Climate Mainstreaming work stream within the Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) Team. Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements (S&S) assistance strives to provide safe, dignified, and appropriate living spaces and related settlements interventions to meet the most basic needs of conflict/disaster-affected and displaced populations. The S&S work at InterAction provides a platform to support and improve the collaboration, capacity, practices, and policies of InterAction Members and other stakeholders. While the primary interlocuter for understanding operational level practice will be the Shelter & Settlements Working Group (SSWG), the Program Manager will work closely with InterAction’s Climate Mainstreaming Working Group (CMWG). The focus of the CMWG is understanding the impacts that climate change has on our Members’ work and advancing the mainstreaming of climate and environmental considerations into all stages, global and operational, of our work. In the process, CMWG believes we will maximize the resilience and adaptation of the affected communities that we serve. CMWG is the second largest of InterAction’s three climate working groups and has a range of environmental and climate adaptation experts participating in its activities. This position will support the S&S and climate mainstreaming teams as they seek to develop a better understanding of climate change adaptation and mainstreaming measures, environmental sustainability, and risk management in humanitarian operations, with a focus on most vulnerable settlements. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Become familiar with the broader humanitarian S&S assistance modalities and operational-level climate-induced vulnerabilities and their impacts on humanitarian operations; keep up to date on crisis-affected country contexts; and understand how Members’ overarching challenges in providing humanitarian assistance are worsened by climate.
  • Manage flexible convening platform to bring together various InterAction working groups (Shelter and Settlements and Climate Mainstreaming) and hold Member consultations.
  • Manage multiple DC and country-level consultants (up to 2) and provide clear terms of reference and ensure coherence between their work.
  • Based on initial consultations draft a work plan to identify humanitarian operational challenges due to climate and environmental impacts to understand and address issues faced by communities at the frontline.
  • Organize and facilitate expert panels and sessions on climate mainstreaming, climate adaptation, and urban affairs and housing industries.
  • Host and facilitate special sessions at regional shelter forums, or similar events, on climate change adaptation and mainstreaming measures, environmental sustainability, and risk management in humanitarian operations, with a focus on most vulnerable settlements.
  • Support recruitment of consultants and meet contractual requirements, timelines, and payments.
  • Draft and publish conference recommendations to improve the understanding of climate change adaptation and mainstreaming measures, environmental sustainability, and risk management in humanitarian operations.
  • Liaise with the UN Clusters and partners, UN agencies, country clusters, national organizations, and academic institutions.
  • Support USAID/BHA grant proposal development, management, and reporting. The Program Manager may be required to assist with other priority tasks from time to time. The Program Manager may be required to support other teams and organizational logistics and administrative tasks, as required. 

Qualifications

  • Minimum of a master’s degree with significant academic or professional focus on climate/environmental issues.
  • Minimum 7 years of professional experience in a relevant field in humanitarian or development programs, preferably in Global South programs. Significant experience should be in climate, environmental, or disaster resilience fields.
  • Field experience in climate adaptation, disaster resilience, disaster risk reduction, or environmental issues is highly desired. Ability to understand the global discussions on climate/environment and the humanitarian implications and to analyze and synthesize reports and data independently.
  • Excellent writing and analytical skills. Second language skills such as Arabic or Spanish are a plus.
  • Understanding of internal displacement, vulnerable settlements, urbanization.
  • Keen interest in the humanitarian shelter and housing sector.
  • Familiarity with humanitarian related work, NGO system, or UN frameworks.
  • Strong organization, coordination, and project management skills. Ability to prioritize, multitask, adapt, and manage time effectively.
  • Must enjoy working as part of a team and facilitating cross-team collaboration.
  • Ability to organize, facilitate and lead working group meetings with large audiences.
  • Experience participating in NGO coordination, coalitions or building networks.
  • Previous project management experience preferred.
  • Experience working with multicultural and multilingual teams.
  • Commitment to InterAction’s mission and values 

Physical Requirements

InterAction is based in Washington DC and candidates are expected to reside in the DMV area to facilitate a hybrid workplace environment. There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Minimal local or international travel may be required. Position Title, Type and Location Program Manager – Climate and Environmental Impacts; Full-time; Washington, DC The limited-term position is conditional on funding, currently expected June 2022 to September 2023 and extended upon additional funding obtained. Closing date: Deadline to apply is 6 June 2022, but applications will be reviewed as received. Application Please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@interaction.org. Applicants are invited to provide a 1 or 2-page writing sample on a climate, humanitarian-related issue, including additional links to publications including reference to prior work. Subject line should contain “YOUR NAME-Program Manager-Climate”. All applicants must be able to provide documentation that they are legally eligible to work in the United States for an extended period. Due to the volume of applications, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls please