Development Assistant Climate Change Jobs in London, Greater London
ISEAL is offering an exciting opportunity for a proactive and well-organised individual to join as an Assistant in our Policy and Engagement team. The role will provide administrative and coordination support to the activities and projects of the team. The successful candidate will provide thoughtful administrative, research, events delivery, mapping and tracking and communications support in a dynamic sustainability policy landscape, leading to valuable exposure to ISEAL and our community members’ work. If you are looking to kickstart your career in sustainability with a committed, respected and fast-paced international organisation, this role will provide you with some excellent insights and networks.
ISEAL supports sustainability standards and similar market-based sustainability systems to improve their impacts on people and planet. ISEAL’s Credibility Principles and Codes of Good Practice are used globally to guide the development of credible sustainability systems and to evaluate the credibility of sustainability claims.
The core objective of the Policy and Engagement team is to support governments, civil society and other business influencers to understand, identify and use credible sustainability systems. We do this through direct engagement with relevant government bodies in priority countries, engagement with individual businesses and business platforms and building community member awareness and knowledge about relevant policy files and implications of new policies for their schemes. The team also has a key role in convening members on specific policy issues and supporting a more collective voice and approach to influencing policy developments around sustainability.
To be considered for this role, you will need to be highly organised and reliable, with attention to detail and an ability to follow instructions. You should be comfortable carrying out multiple activities concurrently, enjoy working on a varied and changing set of tasks related to policy and sustainability. You have a strong interest in engaging with complex systems and problems and in learning more about topics related to sustainability standards and policy. You have a positive and proactive attitude to support the team and its goals and are eager to expand your knowledge and skillset by working on a range of activities. You have a friendly and professional demeanour and are comfortable in your communications and interactions with colleagues and external stakeholders. Alongside basic skills in research and task management you have had experience with varied IT tools and systems and are able to support with the use of the platforms and tools ISEAL uses.
In return, the role will provide an exciting introduction to a range of policy topics and an insight into working in an international not for profile organisation.
Key Responsibilities we will entrust you with:
Events
- Assist in organising event logistics for virtual member working groups on various topics (due diligence, claims, deforestation regulation) including tech support with platforms such as Zoom and MS Teams
- Support content preparation e.g. power point slides
- Communicate with speakers and draft and send event follow up e-mails
- Support project management, engagement tracking, outreach and administration
- Assist with any in-person events, including scouting for venues, support with logistics and preparation of agendas, communication with participants etc.
Communications and platform management
- Maintain relevant pages on the ISEAL internal platform and ISEAL website
- Support with drafting external communications and liaise closely with the ISEAL communications team
- Draft text for position papers, briefs and reports to be used on ISEAL social media channels (Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Contribute to newsletter drafting and coordinate distribution
Team organisationand support
- Assist with scheduling team meetings, preparation for away days and any workshops
- Support with note taking for team meetings, key external partner calls or member meetings
- Assist Director Policy and Engagement with team coordination activities
- Keep team organised with maintenance of team calendar, external events tracking, tracking of key metrics or KPIs, maintenance of folder structure
General Administrative support
- Support with contract management, using ISEAL templates and agreed timelines
- Be first point of contact for Community Members and external partner queries
- Proof-read, edit, design, and format documents in Word and Powerpoint, using ISEAL templates
Experience, Knowledge and Attribute
- Experience working or interning in a support/administrative role, ideally in international NGO, professional or membership organisation
- Interest in and possibly some knowledge of policy areas (due diligence, sustainability claims, etc)
- Some understanding of, sustainability standards and certification, which may have been gained in academic, internship, employment or voluntary settings
- Strong organisational skills, and experience supporting on administration, meeting coordination, logistics, contracts, budget tracking, etc.
- Confidence in communications with peers and external partners, comfortable in public speaking situations (e.g. webinars, workshops etc)
- Good time management and ability to organise multiple simultaneous tasks efficiently with precision and strong attention to detail
- Excellent written & spoken English, with proven ability to write clearly and concisely
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with cross-functional teams in a fully remote, international environment, including regular international time-zone calls
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic work environment with changing projects and working with multiple project leads
- Confidence in using the Microsoft Office suite and IT systems, familiarity with virtual meeting tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom, etc), use of contact management databases (e.g. Salesforce)
Additionally desirable
- Interest in social and economic sustainability
- Some experience working from home and/or with a manager off site
- Experience using newsletter systems, preferably MailChimp
About ISEAL
ISEAL supports ambitious sustainability systems and their partners to tackle the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges – from the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis to human rights and persistent poverty. ISEAL Community Members include many of the most respected sustainability schemes worldwide and are active across a diverse range of sectors. Read more about us on our website iseal(.)org.
ISEAL´s culture and how we will help you thrive
Our values are Connection, Empowerment, Inspiration, Wellbeing, Effective Working and Creativity.
These are traits we value in each other and in the organisation overall and we instil these in all our processes and interactions.
The issues we work on are of a global nature and our team reflects this, with individuals from many different backgrounds and nationalities. We know this diversity adds to the high quality of work we deliver as an organisation and through our commitment to diversity and inclusion we want to add strengths and perspectives in our team with each recruitment. Diversity for us includes race and gender identity, age, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and many other areas forming part of someone´s identity. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
As an organisation, we also support our people in their personal and professional development, with specific budgets and processes enabling individuals to take advantage of growth and development opportunities.
We offer 25 days of annual leave, to which we will add a day a year after 2 years (to a maximum of 30 days), as well as an extra five days as a one off once you have been with us for a full five years.
We recognise individuals’ preferences when it comes to where and when to work through a hybrid working model with a minimum of 4 days per month in the London office as well as the opportunity to apply for flexible working arrangements to suit individual´s needs.
Other relevant information
Term: This is an initial contract of one year with the possibility of extension
Working hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £25,500-£28,500 p.a. depending on experience (full time, 37.5 hours per week)
Location: London. Applicants will need to provide evidence that they are entitled to work in the UK. An ability and willingness to work in a hybrid work environment is required.
International travel: The post holder will be required to undertake occasional international travel
Size:
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Background
Climate Lead is a unique organization dedicated to mobilizing philanthropic resources to combat climate change. Climate Lead acts as a guide for philanthropists on a diverse array of climate-focused initiatives, connecting donors with projects ranging from early-stage ideas to proven opportunities ready for scale. Through tailored support and connections to peers, experts, and leading funders, CIimate Lead empowers donors to make informed decisions and collaborate effectively, ultimately accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and resilient future. We are currently seeking three Project Managers in Philanthropy, one based in London and 2 others in the USA (San Francisco and Washington DC).
Purpose of role
We are currently seeking a Project Manager in Philanthropy, whose primary objective is to assist the Senior Philanthropy Advisors (SPA) in securing essential funding to combat global climate change. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in philanthropic activities and proficiency in managing multiple high-priority tasks autonomously, which are crucial for effectively managing various project management responsibilities essential to fulfilling the objectives of the Philanthropy Team. Through collaboration with various teams such as Philanthropy, Global Climate Strategies, Communications, and Operations, the ideal candidates will ensure seamless coordination and delivery of donor-related initiatives and projects. Leveraging their strong project management capabilities, exceptional communication skills, and dedication to environmental causes, the Project Manager, Philanthropy will make a significant contribution to the organization's mission of fostering climate leadership worldwide.
Primary responsibilities
Strategic support of primary donor portfolio (70%)
Donor deliverables (50%)
· Project manage donor deliverables and other donor-related work streams as defined by strategies set by SPAs, including but not limited to developing and managing or leading work plans, timelines, and tracking status of all the moving parts to meet internal and external deadlines.
· Negotiate project timelines and gather input from colleagues to design project plans.
· Serve as a thought partner to SPAs on donor strategies.
· Liaise with members of the Global Climate Strategies, Communications, and Operations teams to ensure effective collaboration on donor deliverables and products.
· Tap the Knowledge Management System to field simple donor-related SPA needs (e.g., pulling final donor products by theme).
· Prepare high-quality, strategic briefs and support preparation of other donor materials (including decks, advisory materials, funding opportunities, etc.) for meetings with donors, ambassadors, volunteers, and partners.
· Responsible for detailed briefings to prepare for donor meetings, events etc. drawing from research and background information from the Senior Research Analyst.
Administration and workflow (20%)
· Summarize and take responsibility for key action items from internal and external meetings, distribute information to teammates and manage follow-up with appropriate internal and external staff.
· Coordinate complex external meetings with the appropriate administrative assistant(s) as necessary across the organization for the Senior Philanthropy Advisors.
· Responsible for timely Salesforce data entry and management including donor activities (emails, meeting notes, etc.), updating and maintaining giving opportunities, projections, invite lists, prospect lists, and monthly portfolio reviews.
Special projects that scale our donor work and advance team goals (30%)
· Contribute to special projects as assigned including but not limited to project management support for Ambassadors, select events, proactive products, and priority big bets; building and maintaining the Philanthropy Team strategic playbook and cascading learnings in partnership with the Deputy Managing Director, and supporting pipeline development in key regions.
Success criteria
· Implementation of complex projects: You’re a confident project manager, leading and executing a portfolio of interconnected projects with close attention to detail across multiple stakeholders. This requires you to be highly organized and attentive to detail.
· Written and verbal communications: Your written and verbal communication skills are excellent, with an ability to deliver verbal presentations in multiple settings.
· Self-motivation: You are solutions-oriented, proactively taking initiative, identifying problems and opportunities across your assignments, and developing recommendations and acting on those recommendations.
· Learning mindset: You desire continuous improvement, have an innate sense of curiosity, are grounded by a foundation of self-awareness that provides space for learning and growth, and are highly adaptable.
· Strategic thinking: You’re a strong conceptual thinker who can quickly grasp and navigate a range of abstract concepts, relate them to one another, and translate those concepts into strategies and practical actions.
Experience
· Project management experience.
· Bachelor’s degree, course work in business management or environmental policy preferred.
· 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience (in or with nonprofit, foundation, or other mission-focused organizations preferred) in a program support role.
· Fundraising experience is strongly preferred.
· Experience working in service to a broad range of clients and stakeholders preferred.
Qualifications
· Strong project management skills.
· Excellent writing and editing skills with proven ability to translate complex concepts into succinct, clear, accessible language for multiple audiences.
· Highly proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Box.
· Knowledge of Asana, Google systems (Drive and Sites) as well as Salesforce.
· Excellent research and analytical skills.
· Demonstrates ability to work individually, as part of a team, and with individuals of diverse backgrounds who are part of the climate change conversation.
· Ability to make decisions independently and work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
· Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work under pressure in a high-performing team is a must.
· Comfort with flexible, dynamic, and multi-cultural teams across global time zones.
· Passion for environmental issues.
· Business fluency in Portuguese a plus for London-based project manager.
Reporting to: Senior Philanthropy Advisor
At the Climate Leadership Initiative, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.
To apply for the post
To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement.
In addition, we request a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to research and communicate complex concepts in a clear, concise, and engaging manner. Any relevant piece of writing where you have distilled complex information would suffice. The sample should not exceed 1,500 words.
The deadline for application is Wednesday 17th April 2024
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Daryl Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required; irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability or sexual orientation.