Senior Policy and Program Advisor, Climate, Food & Land Use

Company Description

Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive. 

Job Description

TITLE:    Senior Policy and Program Adviser, Climate, Food & Land Use

LOCATION:  Washington, DC; Boston, MA

DEPARTMENT:  Global Partnerships and Impact, Climate Change & Energy

REPORTS TO: Associate Director, Climate Change and Energy

DURATION: This is a three-year fixed-term position, with the possibility of extension 

COORDINATES WITH:  Climate Change and Energy team, Extractive Industries team, Food Systems team, Private Sector team, Oxfam country and regional staff, Government Relations & Public Policy, DC office staff, Finance and Operations, Global Partnership and Impact Department, Institutional Support, Oxfam International and other Oxfam affiliates; and other staff as needed.  

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, Oxfam has worked to promote a justice-focused development agenda into global climate policy, with the aim of shaping a more equitable and inclusive approach. It is ‘code red for humanity’, and the next decade is crucial for averting climate catastrophe. In this next “decisive decade” for climate action, Oxfam must increase its ambitions to affect policy change and tackle head-on the systems of inequality that have led to the climate crisis.  

A key strand of Oxfam America’s work on climate justice focuses on climate and the nexus with land, natural resources, and food systems.  Tackling the climate crisis will require significant emission reductions from the land sector, including in agriculture, but in ways that are equitable and support resilience, food security, land rights and gender equity. In this context, Oxfam has an important role to play in promoting sustainable and equitable land management solutions and agricultural practices that holistically addresses climate change through approaches that help achieve both zero emissions and zero hunger, and amplifying the voices and leadership of local communities, youth, feminist organizations and Indigenous peoples in shaping solutions.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:  

Provide support to Oxfam’s policy advocacy and program initiatives focused on promoting a pro-poor, rights-based approach to land use and food systems within the context of achieving climate justice.  This role will strengthen Oxfam’s global advocacy and support climate influencing efforts in the Global South, including geographies across East Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The role will entail coordination with country and regional offices and Oxfam International. The successful candidate will also work with colleagues from across Oxfam America, as well as NGO allies, to enhance global climate ambition by advocating for the adoption of equitable climate policies and investments and linking local advocacy with global climate policy making processes.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Policy advocacy

• Collaborate with colleagues in Oxfam America, countries, and regions, and Oxfam International to build and execute Oxfam’s internal strategies and priorities at the nexus of climate, food, and land use with a rights-based approach.
• Lead efforts for successfully engaging and influencing key debates and policy makers in the US and at the global level to support Oxfam’s climate advocacy agenda.
• Provide strong analysis and subject matter expertise on the nexus of climate, land, nature, and food, with a rights-based perspective and contribute to research, knowledge sharing, and learning. 

• Strengthen and expand relationships with key allies and engage in coalitional efforts in support of Oxfam’s climate advocacy priorities.
• Raise Oxfam America’s profile within the climate community and relevant external forums on the nexus of climate, food, and land use from a rights-based perspective.
• Represent Oxfam and communicate its climate advocacy priorities to key audiences, including Congress, US administration and media, as relevant.
• Provide policy support to strengthen US based advocacy on food, land and climate issues through a rights-based perspective engaging Congress, the Administration, private sector companies, and others as relevant.

• Provide policy and technical support to achieve robust climate justice outcomes at the country and regional level, linking global influencing strategies to local influencing strategies and vice-versa.
• Collaborate with other members of the Climate Department to help advance Oxfam’s climate advocacy and policy activities, and support the integration of gender and racial justice, inequality, and decolonial priorities and approaches throughout Oxfam’s climate advocacy efforts.

Project Management

• 3 years of project management experience
• Work with Oxfam staff, consultants, partners, and others to ensure successful execution of project activities and facilitate coordination, communication, and regular reporting.
• Manage the execution of annual budgets and plans, sub-grants and financial transfers, employing Oxfam systems and ensuring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations. 
• Coordinate teleconference and face-to-face workshops, strategy meetings and peer-to-peer exchanges at regional and global levels for learning and program development. 
• Contribute to development and implementation of MEL plans and guide related activities throughout the project, including monitoring and evaluation of partner and Oxfam performance. 
• Coordinate inputs for annual reporting and support other project-related communications materials in coordination with project team(s) for both internal and external audiences. 

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE POSITION:  

·       Will stay abreast of professional standards, trends and issues affecting this set of responsibilities, demonstrating continuous learning of the field.  

·       Will work effectively and collaboratively in support of building a team-based, problem-solving work culture performing all duties appropriately for a multi-cultural environment, treating all persons with dignity and respect, and will be familiar with and committed to Oxfam America’s mission, values, and goals.

·       Will have an understanding gender equity and diversity within key areas of responsibility and a commitment to promoting gender justice, racial equity and diversity in our workplace and programs.  

·       Within key areas of responsibility, will have a commitment to providing a safe environment for staff, partners, and beneficiaries, and a commitment to promoting safeguarding in our workplace, programs, and the communities we serve.

·       Will work toward improving team efficiency, processes, and contributing to a positive atmosphere for team collaboration. Will also work collaboratively with a high level of diplomacy and maturity.

·       Must be available to travel to relevant professional meetings and conferences as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, international relations, public policy, environmental science, or related field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience and Core Competencies:

·       5-7 years of related work experience in environment, international development, conservation, the private sector, public advocacy, corporate social responsibility, and/or related fields. International experience is strongly desired.

·       Considerable knowledge and understanding of climate policy issues around food, land use and nature at the international level.

·       Ability to make sound independent decisions and judgment calls.

·       Outstanding research and analytical skills relevant to public policy.

·       Commitment to mission-and values-driven work environment.

·       Outstanding attention to detail.

·       Excellent organizational and administrative skills; ability to prioritize workload and multi-task.

·       Excellent oral communication skills and strong professional writing skills in English.

·       Flexible, creative, strategic, and self- starter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Proficiency in Spanish and/or French is desired.

Exempt/ Union/Band G

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, international relations, public policy, environmental science, or related field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience and Core Competencies:

·       5-7 years of related work experience in environment, international development, conservation, the private sector, public advocacy, corporate social responsibility, and/or related fields. International experience is strongly desired.

·       Considerable knowledge and understanding of climate policy issues around food, land use and nature at the international level.

·       Ability to make sound independent decisions and judgment calls.

·       Outstanding research and analytical skills relevant to public policy.

·       Commitment to mission-and values-driven work environment.

·       Outstanding attention to detail.

·       Excellent organizational and administrative skills; ability to prioritize workload and multi-task.

·       Excellent oral communication skills and strong professional writing skills in English.

·       Flexible, creative, strategic, and self- starter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Proficiency in Spanish and/or French is desired.

$71,000 Min - $106,690 Max

Additional Information

Oxfam America is a Gender Just organization and an equal opportunity employer. We have a zero tolerance policy for any sexual harassment, exploitation, and/or abuse. We welcome all persons to apply and do not discriminate. We take measures to prevent discrimination against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We are an E-Verify employer.

For more information, please click on the following links:
E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish
E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish