ABOUT GAIA

GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 1000 grassroots groups, non-governmental organisations, and individuals in over 90 countries whose ultimate vision is a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped. We recognize that our planet’s finite resources, fragile biosphere, and the health of people and other living beings are endangered by polluting and inefficient production practices, and health-threatening disposal methods. Because of this, we oppose incinerators, landfills, and other end-of-pipe interventions. Our goal is clean production and the creation of a closed-loop, materials-efficient economy where all products are reused, repaired, or recycled.

ABOUT THE ROLE

GAIA`s Climate Program Officer (CPO) will support the development and implementation of the GAIA’s Global Climate Policy Program. The CPO will be a member of the GAIA Global Climate Team and will report directly to the Director of the Global Climate Policy Program.

The Global Climate Policy Program is poised to grow rapidly on various fronts, including campaigns around methane and organics management, zero waste, and waste-to-energy; aiming at international financial institutions, carbon markets, or other international sources of climate finance; policy advocacy at the UNFCCC and other key international fora; and narrative-shifting among the general public or specialists and academics.

The CPO will support the strategic growth of the program in a rapidly-changing policy environment, moving forward the programmatic work while being responsive to new opportunities and threats. At GAIA, all work is collaborative in nature, and the CPO will support and eventually lead processes to ensure consultation and integration with other global support team staff, regional teams, and members. The CPO must be an effective organiser, networker and communicator, skilled in climate policy advocacy from a movement building perspective.

As a CPO, you will have an excellent opportunity to build learning and sharing opportunities between organisers, campaigners, and frontline communities experiencing the threat from false solutions to climate change, as well as developing and implementing zero waste solutions.

You will be in an excellent position to strengthen the movement for climate justice and zero waste, and create systemic change to drastically reduce GHG pollution and increase communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The scope of the position includes but is not limited to the following responsibilities:

Climate policy advocacy: monitor and research key policy and investment developments, namely around NDCs, methane mitigation pathways, climate finance, and other policy initiatives (inside or outside the UNFCCC process) which will affect waste management, and coordinate feedback processes for/from members, partners, and the team to respond to these developments.

Coordination with GAIA members and allies: support strategic coordination between members and partners involved in the GAIA Global Climate Program and beyond, including multi-country initiatives that aim to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the waste sector as well as promote and highlight solutions. Ensure that efforts in the GAIA Global Climate Program are linked to parallel campaigns in other regions and subregions and are contributing towards shared goals for climate justice.

Capacity-building of GAIA members: support GAIA members to engage with policy makers, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, including organisation and delivery of training and consultation processes when necessary. This may include supporting the capacity-building of grassroots groups to do effective on-the-ground organizing and campaigning; supporting the development of local/national policy and advocacy work; coordinating training and other events; identifying and creating tools and resources, and working with different partners to increase the visibility of and support for grassroots work.

Organisation and logistics support for international events/delegations: support and partially lead the organisation and preparation of delegations that facilitate GAIA members’ attendance at the international climate negotiations, with support from GAIA regional staff. In 2023, these will include a global gathering (location TBC) on environmental justice and methane emissions mitigation and COP28 in UAE. The CPO will be responsible for:

• Being part of the coordination team and supporting the development of shared delegation strategies, agendas, and plans, in consultation with GAIA members and allies.
• Being the main responsible person for managing event logistics and any administrative tasks related to the delegation, acting as an interface with the operations team.
• Taking the lead in preparing and gathering materials for the delegation(s), as well as integrating regional inputs and feedback;
• Facilitating linkages to other environmental groups during the meetings, as well as to experts/sister advocates.

Overall strategy: support and actively contribute to the strategy consultations with GAIA regional teams, GAIA members, waste picker groups and allies, to achieve GAIA’s Climate Program goals. This will require active participation in GAIA’s internal coordination, including regular online communication, and in-person international meetings up to 1-2 times per year.

Research, writing and publications: support the production of publications and advocacy documents providing data and key information to deepen and broaden support for inclusive zero waste systems as a climate change solution. These may include presentation resources for GAIA members and advocates; advocacy documents related to the climate negotiations; and other communications materials.

Visibility: serving as a subject-matter expert and providing critical analyses through presentations, briefings, and statements in support of the campaign, including being expert resource for media and learning events to amplify campaign messages and policy recommendations to key stakeholders. Work with members and the global communications team in shifting false solutions narratives.

REPORTING

Working under the direction of the Global Climate Program Director, the CPO will be a climate team member and will closely coordinate with the various regional offices and members in the GAIA Alliance working on climate and waste.

DURATION

This is a full-time position subject to a probationary period. The CPO will be working remotely preferably based in the Africa region and close to other GAIA Africa team members (based in Ghana, Morocco, and South Africa). Exceptional candidates in other regions will be considered.

COMPENSATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

We offer a competitive salary plus benefits, including a healthcare package, paid vacation and sick leaves, and other similar employment protections. We take pride in our ability to support one another’s work in an atmosphere of mutual trust, transparency, and respect. GAIA offers a competitive salary, dependent upon experience and location.

It’s important to note that this is an international role, so it will require capacity and ability to work outside usual office hours to accommodate working with a global team. Frequent (2-5 times per year) international travel will be required. Full COVID-19 vaccination is required for GAIA employees who travel and attend meetings for GAIA, and this post requires international travel.

We look forward to introducing the successful candidate to our welcoming and highly motivated team and members.

MORE ABOUT YOU

You are the best candidate for this post because you are:

• Passionate and experienced within environmental justice movements: you have experience working within an environmental justice campaign, are committed to a bottom-up theory of change, and have applied these principles in practical policy campaigns.
• Highly organised and efficient: you are organised and disciplined with your time, know how to prioritise and can be depended upon to deliver results in a timely manner.
• Solutions-oriented: you are not easily overwhelmed by setbacks and obstacles, you love thinking on your feet to develop solutions and help your team overcome challenges, and you continually learn and adapt to motivate yourself and your team to win!
• Well-rounded and a team-player: you value the importance of working with team members and partners to accomplish targets and goals.
• Patient and respectful: you value people’s inputs and expertise, and are respectful in dealing with people from all walks of life and from different backgrounds. You respect and recognise expertise and knowledge coming from different members of the community, and value the importance of bringing different perspectives together.
• Trustworthy: You are self-motivated and take pride in your ability to honour commitments.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE - ESSENTIAL

• At least three (3) years of workplace experience in the environmental campaigning sector, preferably with a non-profit/people’s organisation or network.
• Demonstrated experience campaigning on environmental policy in alliance with other organisations,
• Demonstrated experience organising campaigning events and managing logistics, at the local or national level.
• Demonstrated experience or ability and willingness to be responsible for administrative tasks related to campaign and delegation organising activities.
• Commitment to environmental and social justice values and principles, and experience in supporting and collaborating with frontline and grassroots communities and organisations;
• Strong project management skills, with ability to be on top of several ongoing projects simultaneously and experience of managing conflicting demands, meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities
• Proven ability to work independently and use creative problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles and achieve goals;
• Strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated communication and project management skills and a consistent approach to work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Ability to understand and express ideas in English in a fluent, clear and concise way, both orally and in writing, and to communicate complex information and institutional positions.
• Passion for social and environmental justice and commitment to the zero waste vision.
• Capacity and ability to work outside usual office hours to accommodate working with a global team.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE - DESIRABLE

• 3 - 5 years of formal or informal experience within the climate justice movement
• 3 - 5 years of formal or informal experience within the zero waste movement
• Demonstrated experience organising international campaigning events.
• Demonstrated experience in devising a campaigning strategy with different stakeholders with flexibility and diplomacy
• Excellent communication, analytical, and report writing skills
• Active in-person participation at a recent UNFCCC COP and fluency on international climate policy
• Strong command of French or/and Spanish or other relevant languages within the GAIA network.
• Highly-computer literate and fluent in social media, especially Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
• Demonstrated experience working with project management software Asana.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We are committed to equal employment opportunity principles and providing all employees with a safe work environment free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome you regardless of your race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, age, physical ability, nationality, or any other status unrelated to the performance of the job and protected by law. GAIA practices affirmative action, and candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:

Apply online at https://www.careers-page.com/gaia/job/L9RR988Y only. Please include a resume and cover letter. Position will be open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the first round of interviews will commence quickly. The successful candidate is expected to start work by March 2023.