MAIN Project Research Director/Senior Policy Analyst (PRD)

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The MAIN Project Research Director/Senior Policy Analyst (PRD) will be an integral part of the Center for Clean Air Policy’s cornerstone project, the three-year Mitigation Action Implementation Network (MAIN).  Through regional dialogues, video conferences, research and on-the-ground policy assistance, MAIN is primarily focused on helping developing countries in Latin America and Asia to develop Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) to reduce greenhouse gases and promote sustainable development.  The PRD will be responsible for directing the development of a compendium of best policy practices to reduce greenhouse gases in the energy, transport, industry and waste sectors in developing countries worldwide for use in the MAIN effort under the guidance of the MAIN Project Director and the President.  This will include developing and maintaining internal procedures for keeping track of research materials and creating a format for the compendium that can be easily accessed by developing countries.  The PRD will also direct staff and assist in producing deliverables for the project which include cutting-edge policy analysis, in-depth case studies, policy papers, NAMA guidance documents, presentations and outreach material. The PRD will be responsible for coordinating on the ground assistance in Latin America to develop specific NAMAs. The PRD will be supported in his/her role by a number of in-house policy experts (Transport, Industry, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and International Finance) and research staff and will identify, hire, and manage outside technical and policy consultants as and when needed. The PRD will assist with fund-raising and relationship building efforts related to the project. He/she will be expected to perform his/her role with minimal oversight and will report to the MAIN Project Director and ultimately to the President as and when appropriate. Expected salary range is 70,000 – 90,000 USD per annum depending on individual’s qualifications and experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate for the position will be an articulate professional with sophistication, intelligence, drive and experience in climate and/or energy policy.  S/he will ideally hold at least a Master’s degree in Public Policy or a related field and have a minimum of ten years of policy or related experience and five years of management experience.  Additionally, ideal applicants will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

• Established track record in managing research projects on complicated policy issues in relevant areas, especially in circumstances where information availability is limited;
• Demonstrated project management skills and experience bringing major deliverables to completion in a team environment with minimal oversight;
• Working knowledge of climate and/or energy policy, including knowledge of market-oriented approaches such as trading systems, PPP-based policy mechanisms in relevant sectors and the ability to understand and articulate sophisticated scientific, policy and economic analysis; 
• Demonstrable work experience  in designing technically, financially and politically feasible climate-friendly policies, preferably in developing countries;
• A zeal for financing and delivering effective developing country actions to support continued international momentum to address climate change;
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish (preferred but not mandatory) with the ability to write for both policy and analytic audiences and present at conferences; 
• Demonstrated ability to listen to and work with stakeholders in varied cultural environments, understand and respond pragmatically to political challenges, and to produce results;
• The flexibility and proven ability to work in a collaborative environment;
• Ability to travel internationally up to 40% of time for periods up to 2 weeks at a stretch for conducting research, interviews, training, etc;
• A sense of humor, adaptability, humility and creativity.

CCAP has been a recognized world leader in climate and air quality policy and is the only independent, nonprofit think tank working exclusively on those issues at the local, U.S. national and international levels. The last few years have seen unprecedented interest in climate policy, and CCAP’s niche is in developing market-driven, politically viable policy solutions around the world.  Information about the Center for Clean Air Policy’s U.S. and international programs can be found at: www.ccap.org.