POSITION TITLE:Climate Justice & Accountability Manager & Senior Attorney (Internal)

PROGRAM: Climate & Energy

SUPERVISOR: Director, Climate & Energy Program

LOCATION: Remote eligible; some jurisdictions excluded

SALARY RANGE: Compensation for this management role is 8% above current salary

DEADLINE: Apply by Wednesday September 17 (but please reach out to Bren if you need more time)

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

**Note: This is an INTERNAL position open to current CIEL staff only**

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) uses the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. Through innovative legal advocacy and global campaigning, cutting-edge research and analysis, and strategic communications, CIEL’s Climate and Energy Program works to halt the drivers of climate change and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, protect human rights and the planet from the impacts of the climate crisis and responses to it, and hold states and corporations accountable for their contributions to climate-related harm.

The Climate Justice & Accountability Manager & Senior Attorney is a seasoned attorney and capable supervisor who will lead work to hold states and corporations accountable for their contributions to the climate crisis and climate inaction, and strengthen and enforce legal obligations to halt climate destruction and provide remedy and reparation for climate-related harms. In collaboration with the Climate & Energy Program Director and other C&E managers, the Climate Justice & Accountability Manager & Senior Attorney will supervise and mentor workstream members, lead strategy development and planning, and engage in legal research and writing, advocacy, coordination, and communications in support of the Program’s climate justice and accountability goals.

Areas of focus include influencing progressive interpretations of environmental and human rights law and shaping the evolution of legal norms through engagement with judicial and quasi-judicial bodies and other legal authorities; securing and leveraging legal precedents from international, regional, and national courts and human rights bodies for climate accountability, in partnership with civil society allies and community groups; advancing innovative legal and advocacy strategies for climate reparations, including through transnational claims; strengthening civil society collaboration and engagement in climate accountability work; influencing media coverage and public narratives around climate litigation and climate justice and accountability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy Development & Implementation (30%)

• In partnership with Director and other colleagues, lead, plan, and be accountable for CIEL’s work and strategies in furtherance of the climate accountability and justice workstream
• Advise on and help implement legal and policy advocacy strategies, campaigns and strategic communications related to climate justice and accountability goals
• Maintain a working knowledge of subject matter related to the Program’s work, including knowledge of ongoing advances in the climate litigation space, relevant legal and regulatory frameworks and issue areas
• Monitor and contribute to, as relevant, ongoing activities affecting Program goals

Team Management (25%)

• Provide day-to-day supervision, management, and ongoing feedback for assigned staff and consultants.
• Work with CIEL Leadership to develop work plans and budgets in line with both short-term and long-term goals, and participate in fundraising activities as appropriate.
• Assist Program Director and other Managers as needed to provide work planning and implementation support to the C&E program.

• Assist in information flow within the C&E program and with other CIEL programs.

Legal Research and Writing (20%)

• Research and draft legal analyses, advocacy briefs, and other relevant materials
• Prepare and review legal and policy analyses, advocacy briefs, and other relevant materials in support of advocacy objectives
• Assist in the development of reports, briefing papers, fact sheets, press releases, and other public-facing online and print materials to educate, inform, and engage CIEL funders, supporters, press and other target audiences

Collaboration, partnerships, and communication (15%)

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel of partner organizations and networks, as well as relevant agencies and intergovernmental organizations, to advance CIEL’s goals
• Represent CIEL in public meetings and workshops, hearings, and other processes
• Coordinate with relevant staff within the C&E program and in other CIEL programs to ensure consistency and integration across programs in support of CIEL’s organization-wide strategic priorities
• Perform other job-related duties as requested or assigned by the Program Director

Administration & Development (10%)

• Meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and ensure high-quality work product
• Support fundraising during proposal, renewal, and reports processes, and other communications with funders
• Participate in C&E managers meetings, biweekly staff meetings, and other team meetings and organizational activities, including performance evaluations

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D. or equivalent law degree with a focus on international law, the law of state responsibility, climate change law, and/or international environmental law and policy
• 5+ years of experience practicing public international law, including some litigation experience in administrative, civil trial, or appellate litigation (up to two years of this experience may include post-JD clerkships)
• Demonstrated experience supervising or providing management to others
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal and policy analysis
• Exceptional research, writing, and communication skills; demonstrated ability to write clearly and compellingly for a variety of audiences, including corporate and financial decision-makers, policymakers, and the general public
• Commitment to incorporating principles of justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work.
• Ability to successfully work on multiple priorities concurrently, including having strong planning and organizational skills, and ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work both separately and in close coordination with a team.
• Able to travel internationally, and for periods of 1-2 weeks (public safety guidelines permitting).
• Fluency in the English language, spoken and written

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of international human rights and environmental law, comparative constitutional law, tort law or other areas relevant to climate law
• Communications experience, e.g. giving interviews, creating talking points, and blogging
• Ability to communicate effectively in one or more languages in addition to English, particularly French or Spanish
• Experience with Google Suite and Asana

Team Management Expectations

• Organization Focus
  • Understand, practice, and promote CIEL values, mission, and strategic direction
  • Be a good steward of resources
  • Walk the walk—be the staff member you expect your team to be
  • Be aware of your limits and invest in self-care, including managing workload and time away from work
• Results-Driven
  • Clear expectations for all staff members aligned to strategic priorities
  • On-going Systems for accountability to monitor progress
  • Provides the right balance of support and autonomy, includes delegation and clearly defined decision-making
• Investment in Individuals
  • Interactions and approach that take into account the specific management needs of the individual
  • Feedback not just on work product but on the growth and development of the individual and their sense of belonging in their position
  • Regular feedback loops that go beyond annual performance reviews

Required Competencies:

• Action-Orientation: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of curiosity, proactivity, and constructiveness.
• Nimble Learning: Approaches unfamiliar tasks proactively and with an open mind. Can quickly adapt to new situations and to draw on past successes and failures to solve current problems.
• Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective communication. Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for understanding, and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Brings people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. Creates synergy resulting in a combined effort with greater results than what can be achieved by individuals.
• Resourcefulness: Is able to make the best of limited resources and find a way to get things done even when the odds are against them. Can look beyond the obvious for viable approaches to accomplish the goal.