The Environment Program at The Pew Charitable Trusts
For more than 30 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our environment work spans all seven continents with more than 250 professionals working at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the scope and severity of global environmental problems, such as the erosion of large natural ecosystems that contain a great part of the world’s remaining biodiversity, and the destruction of the marine environment. Pew’s global environmental program focuses on science-based, nonpartisan, and sustainable solutions to help protect the planet and people. We work in partnership with governments, Indigenous rights holders, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, local stakeholders, scientists, and other researchers to advance public policy so that nature and communities can thrive.
Since 1990, Pew has worked in North America, South America and Australia to protect large and critically important terrestrial ecosystems, including rivers and other freshwater resources, coastal temperate rainforests, interior mountain ranges, the northern boreal forests, Australia’s Outback, and Chilean Patagonia. We work to ensure these natural systems remain bountiful, functioning, and resilient, providing essential ecological services such as clean air and clean water, sustenance and food security for local communities and more broadly for the welfare of current and future generations. Our work relies on the sciences of conservation, sociology, biology, and economics to advocate for practical and durable solutions to the loss of biodiversity.
In the sea, reforms to how our oceans are managed are essential to address overfishing, pollution, and loss of habitat. Pew began its oceans program in the United States, focusing on ending overfishing and protecting fragile marine habitat. Starting in 2005, Pew’s ocean conservation program expanded around the world and played a significant role in reforming marine fisheries management in the European Union and on the high seas and creating large scale marine reserves around the world. Our work is grounded in the best available science and pursues domestic and international conservation measures that are long-term and provide permanent, durable protections for marine ecosystems. We also work to address systemic threats to the ocean, including from plastics, over-and-illegal fishing, seabed mining, and climate change.
Preventing Ocean Plastics
Pew’s preventing ocean plastics project aims to provide the evidence base for concerted global action to reduce the flow of plastic into the ocean. The project focuses on evaluating and identifying the economically and politically viable steps and catalyzing effective and efficient efforts and investments globally to reduce the flow of plastics entering the world’s oceans. Specifically, the project aims to help develop policies to address in-country plastic use and waste, unintentional microplastics, and plastics trade as well as increased accountability of public and private actions, all supported by the dissemination of research and tools.
Position Overview
The officer, preventing ocean plastics, will focus on building a plastics disclosure and reporting system working with CDP and other partners. This will include developing the technical and scientific aspects of the system, building support within the corporate and financial sectors, and in coordination with the director and project director, building partnerships with other organizations and funders.
The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is eligible for up to 60% telework from home; however, London, New York, and other locations and/or remote work in the U.S. or outside of the U.S. may be considered.
Responsibilities
- In partnership with the director and project director, focus on building a plastics disclosure and reporting system.
- Work with CDP and partners to support the development of the technical and scientific aspects of the corporate disclosure and reporting system.
- In coordination with the director and project director, build partnerships with other organizations and funders and help to manage key relationships with relevant partners.
- Engage with stakeholders to build corporate and policymaker support for the system, including developing webinars and workshops.
- In collaboration with the communications team, research, write, and edit campaign materials for the new project, such as web content, advocacy materials, and fact sheets.
- Develop contracts and budgets and manage and conduct oversight of contractors and consultants contributing to policy objectives.
- Develop and maintain working relationships with decision makers, government officials and national and international institutions, corporations, as well as relevant NGOs in the field.
- Represent Pew publicly at conferences, seminars, meetings, and events where related topics are being discussed. Serve on scientific advisory committees as requested.
- Serve as a spokesperson in order to cultivate and engage key constituencies about the need for a corporate disclosure and reporting system for plastics.
- Develop and maintain a broad knowledge plastics and metrics.
- Contribute to and participate in tasks of the department as assigned, as well as broader Pew-related projects and activities as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
- Minimum eight years of professional experience to include experience in reporting, disclosure, metrics, financial services and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Experience in the international conservation arena, with a particular focus on or familiarity with ocean policy, marine science, or plastics, is preferred.
- Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew.
- Excellent political, strategic and analytical abilities with proven program management skills to develop, execute and evaluate a range of diverse strategies to achieve goals.
- Experience in developing and launching new programs or bodies of work in the international conservation and/or ESG arena.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills. Ability to synthesize materials and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue and the means to address it. Confident in presenting one’s own ideas and diplomatically persuading others as appropriate. Ability to communicate complex ideas for a general audience, with strong public speaking skills and an ability to persuasively engage individuals or groups in dialogue that results in a desire to take action.
- Well-developed skills in diplomacy. Able to work productively with a wide array of different people and institutions that frequently disagree with and may be in competition with one another.
- Flexibility to work as part of a team or independently to meet goals. Must possess the capacity to work independently, be a self-starter and carry out project work independently of others as needed. Strong ability to think proactively, take initiative, and see tasks through to completion with appropriate follow-up.
- Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Able to balance multiple priorities, remain attentive to details, organize time, and work autonomously on discrete projects.
- Experience with media and other communication strategies to deliver policy recommendations and/or scientific findings to policy makers and the public.
- Demonstrates a strong collaborative spirit.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Must be flexible, creative and consistent. A strong commitment to producing measurable results.
- Seasoned judgment, able to make decisions, justify recommendations, and be responsive, clear and firm with colleagues and partners.
Travel
Domestic and international travel expected approximately 20% of the time.
Total Rewards
We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
