External Affairs Advisor

About the Role

The Policy Advisor, Natural Climate Solutions plays a key role in the development and implementation of policy strategies to achieve the Conservancy’s natural climate solutions goals. The Policy Advisor works with an interdisciplinary team and interacts with governments, nongovernmental organizations, and/or the corporate sector to define and promote policies that protect, restore, and improve natural and working lands to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration. The Policy Advisor must reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The Nature Conservancy’s Natural Climate Solutions strategy for North America is at a pivotal moment. Emerging science, evolving markets, and shifting political dynamics are creating new opportunities and challenges to advance forest restoration and climate-smart forest management. We are rebuilding our policy strategy and seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial leader who thrives at the intersection of science and policy. The Policy Advisor for Natural Climate Solutions will translate research findings into a practical policy agenda and work across a matrixed team of interdisciplinary experts and a varied network of government, nonprofit, and industry partners to advance that agenda.

Responsibilities

• Develop an evidence-based, politically feasible policy strategy for natural climate solutions.
• Build coalitions and shape policy solutions to drive adoption of priority policies at the federal and state levels.
• Work with leading experts on natural climate solutions to define the future policy efforts of the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, climate, natural resource management, environmental policy, or related field and 5 years of experience in policy analysis and government relations, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of public and private programs and incentives, including carbon markets, related to carbon sequestration, forestry, and land use management.
• Direct experience working with partners, government agencies, and/or coalitions related to forestry or natural climate solutions.
• Analytical and project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects in an unstructured environment.
• Experience developing, directing, and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
• Demonstrated relationship-building skills.
• Experience negotiating complex, high-profile, or sensitive agreements.
• Proven written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

Pay

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $108,000 - $124,000. This range applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on factors such as the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

Benefits

• Competitive, comprehensive health care benefits.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match.
• Parental leave.
• Accrued paid time off.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Employee assistance program.
• Other life and work well-being benefits.

TNC offers a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

About the Organization

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures.

Since 1951, TNC has grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world.