Kresge’s Environment program works to help U.S. cities implement comprehensive climate-resilience approaches grounded in equity. The program helps communities address climate change directly so that they will be better prepared for the new challenges and uncertainties it introduces. By explicitly factoring climate change into decisions about infrastructure investments, land use, building codes, public health and other urban planning issues, urban leaders can make their communities stronger, more equitable and more resilient.
What: The Climate Change Philanthropy Fellow will support the Environment Program in advancing its goal of helping cities implement comprehensive climate-resilience approaches grounded in equity. The fellow will gain experience and insight into institutional philanthropy, climate change policy and advocacy, community development and strategies to incorporate equity firmly in climate change work. This position provides a valuable career development opportunity for an emerging climate change professional as well as added capacity to the Environment Program to fulfil its ambitious goal.
The fellowship is a two-year appointment and is open to those who have completed a minimum of master’s level training in a field related to urban climate resilience, such as environmental studies, public policy or urban planning. We are most interested in candidates whose education has included coursework on climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, urban systems and public policy, and who hold a deep commitment to both environmental work and racial equity. Primary responsibilities include:
- Leading a body of work during the term of the fellowship on a topic to be determined jointly by the fellow and the Environment team.
- Assisting in the team’s review of grant requests and management of its portfolio of grants.
- Contributing to the development of the Environment team’s strategic learning and evaluation infrastructure and practices.
- Providing project-management support and contributing to the coordination and execution of team programmatic processes and projects.
- Conducting background research to support Environment team strategy and program development; this includes keeping abreast of new developments and published research in fields relevant to climate resilience.
- Preparing key materials for Kresge presentations and meetings, supported by relevant research.
- Participating in travel to conferences, convenings and site visits with funding partners as needed.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of master’s degree in a field relevant to urban climate resilience.
- At least two years relevant work experience.
- An orientation toward practice rather than research. (We value the role of research in shaping effective practice, but this is not a research fellowship.)
- Strong project-management skills.
- The ability to collaborate effectively within and across Kresge program teams to reach common goals.
- A learning orientation that enables one to recognize patterns, identify key lessons and develop creative solutions.
- A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Strong written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
To apply, please send the following tocareers@kresge.org:
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Cover letter / essay describing:
- How the candidate’s skills and experience would contribute to the success of the Environment team.
- What the candidate finds compelling about this opportunity.
- How this fellowship would advance the candidate’s career-development plans.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Original transcripts of graduate work
The deadline for application submission is March 21, 2018.
View the online job posting here.