Climate & Energy Policy Project Program Associate

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is seeking an experienced full-­-time, Program Associate position for our China Climate and Energy Policy Project based in our Beijing office.

NRDC is one of the most effective environmental organizations in the United States and abroad. Established in 1970, NRDC uses law, science and the backing of 1.3 million members and online supporters to protect the planet and ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. We are a non-profit, non-governmental international organization headquartered in New York, and have offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing, China. Our staff of over  430 environmental lawyers, scientists, policy analysts and engineers work together protect the world’s environment and curb carbon emissions through advocacy, law, policy change and education, as well as on the ground project implementation support.   

With a team of nearly thirty experts in Beijing and the United States, NRDC’s China Program is at the forefront of supporting China’s efforts on energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental protection. We are proud to have collaborated with many academic, governmental, and non-governmental partners around the country to help accelerate these efforts.   

Position Summary: 

Under the guidance of the Director of China Climate and Energy Policy and the Senior Advisor for Climate, Energy and Environment, the China Climate and Energy Policy Project Program Associate will provide research and administrative support for projects seeking to minimize the environmental impacts of coal use and unconventional oil and gas development in China. The Program Associate will help organize and participate in working group meetings and other project meetings; ensure coordination of project partner’s research activities; review and provide input on research deliverables; assist with reporting on project progress; and assist in relevant policy research and translation and developing materials to communicate project research results.   

The Program Associate will be based in NRDC’s Beijing office and will form an integral part of the NRDC China climate and energy team.     

Essential Functions:

• With the Project Manager and senior program staff, help to monitor partner progress, review and provide input on research deliverables, and coordinate with and ensure effective communication and collaboration among project partners.
• Participate in ongoing working group meetings to monitor and track project progress, and help to organize steering committee, research working group and other project team meetings.
• Assist with reporting on project progress, including collection, summarizing and translation of research partner progress reports.
• Assist in relevant policy research and translation and developing communication materials and publications for distribution as needed.
• Work with the other members of NRDC’s China Program and US colleagues to enhance NRDC’s research and advocacy efforts and expertise on energy and environmental policy.
• Strive for team work, high performance and accountability.