Center for Clean Air Policy

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The Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) is a nongovernmental nonprofit that promotes ambitious climate action globally. Based in Washington DC with staff around the world, we help policymakers worldwide develop, promote, and implement innovative, market-based solutions to major climate problems that balance both environmental and economic interests.  

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CCAP is a collegial, non-hierarchical organization known for its emphasis on cutting edge analyses, productive policy dialogues, and on-the-ground delivery of transformative policy programs and projects. This is a unique opportunity for the right person to make a significant contribution to achieving pragmatic and effective policy change in a variety of policy environments around the world.  

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Position Description

 

The Research Assistant will support CCAP’s international methane mitigation and climate change work with a focus on policy, mitigation action and climate finance investments. S/he will provide research, analysis, report-writing, and event-preparation support for CCAP’s on-the-ground projects focused on methane mitigation and climate finance. S/he will have the opportunity to contribute to research on important on methane mitigation, organic waste, climate finance, and circular economy topics, including policies, tools, programs and climate finance instruments and mechanisms to support organic waste sector transformation. The Research Assistant will have contact with high-level, developing-country policymakers, financial institutions, and other experts and will participate in cutting-edge climate change and climate finance policy work. 

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Responsibilities Include: 

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• Research and quantitative analysis on developing-country climate and methane mitigation policies and projects.  

• Research on climate finance mechanisms and instruments for organic waste. 

• Policy analysis and writing for reports, issue briefs, proposals, best practice case studies, fact sheets, blogs, etc.  

• Interaction with external technical consultants, high-level policymakers, financial institutions, and key stakeholders on various assignments.  

• Preparation of presentations, webinars, and other materials for international meetings and conferences.  

• Conference support, including to participants, logistical support, and managing registration database and webinars platform. 

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The research assistant will support one or more project areas, for example: 
 

• Organic Waste Management in SIDS – Work with Environment and Climate Change Canada and other international partners to assist small island developing states across the Caribbean and Pacific regions to live up to their commitments in the Global Methane Pledge and accelerate implementation of policy, methane emission reduction initiatives and on-the-ground projects that will help contribute to eliminating over 0.2˚C warming by 2050. 
   

• Methane Mitigation – Research and synthesize international and domestic methane mitigation frameworks and policies. Support in drafting thematic reports and publications and preparing workshop materials (e.g., concept/background note, presentations). 
   

• Circular Economy - Research circular economy and waste-to-resource projects and regulations in developing countries. Develop best practice regulatory approaches, with a focus on promoting circularity and emissions reductions in the waste sector. Assist in evaluating existing barriers to project development and recommending workable strategies to overcome the barriers and reducing emissions. 
   

• International climate policy and finance – Perform literature review of actionable SLCP mitigation strategies for countries to refine and achieve goals of NDC 3.0. Support analysis focused on the market failure between the supply and demand of climate finance for the waste sector. 
   

• Climate finance instruments and mechanism for organic waste – Conduct qualitative and quantitative research on the supply and the demand of climate finance for organic waste projects in developing countries and emerging markets.  
   

• Blended finance mechanisms for organic waste projects – Conduct research on lessons learned and best practices related to blended finance mechanisms for organic waste projects in developing countries and emerging markets.  
   

Qualifications:
 

This is an ideal position for a recent graduate with 3-5 years of experience, looking to work on international climate policy at a cutting edge, non-profit organization. The successful candidate will be able to learn quickly on the job, work independently, and manage multiple tasks. Specific qualifications include:  
 

• Master’s degree in environmental policy, finance, international relations, political science, economics, environmental science or related field.  

• Coursework or experience in environmental and climate policy required. Coursework in methane mitigation, circular economy, waste management, climate finance, food loss and waste is a plus.  

• Excellent research and writing skills required. 

• Quantitative skills, including experience developing cost benefit analysis, investment plans, understanding of business models and Return of Investment (ROI) 

• Strong oral and written communication skills.  

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and timeliness with deadlines.  

• High level of experience with Microsoft Office including Teams, Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. 

• Proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required.  

• Fluency or professional proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese and/or French is a plus.   

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and timeliness with deadlines.  

• Experience with Microsoft Office including Teams, Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. 
  
  
  The position is available immediately for six-month duration, with the possibility to become permanent depending on performance. CCAP offers competitive salary and benefits packages, based on the individual’s qualifications and experience.  

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Apply:
 

Applications, including a cover letter describing your qualifications, your resume (in Word or PDF format), and one writing sample (containing quantitative or technical analysis including spreadsheet, if possible) should be sent to: Hiring Manager at development@ccap.org.  
 
To expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type “Research Assistant” and your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.   
 
The Center for Clean Air Policy is an equal opportunity employer.  

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