Public Policy Analyst – San Francisco, CA

Organization: Amazon Environmental Research Institute International Program (IPAM-IP)

Job Title: Public Policy Analyst

Location: San Francisco, CA

Hours and Compensation: Full time, Compensation: based on qualifications and experience with competitive benefit package.

Position Dates: Start ASAP

Application Deadline: June 30, 2012 or until filled

Posted On: June 14, 2012

Organization Overview

The Amazon Environmental Research Institute International Program (IPAM-IP) is a non-profit organization that conducts research, policy analysis, and capacity‐building in support of low-emission rural development and natural resource conservation in the developing world. With offices in San Francisco, IPAM-IP acts as the international arm of the Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia (IPAM), a non-governmental organization headquartered in Brazil with a seventeen-year history of ecological research and sustainable development initiatives in the Amazon. For more information on IPAM International Program, please visit http://www.ipam.org.br/programas/item/IPAM-IP-International-Program/8.

Description

The Public Policy Analyst will analyze agricultural, climate, and land-use public policies of developing nations (including REDD and low-carbon development), organize and run workshops in developing nations, support collaborations with partner organizations, and manage international projects. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Main Focus:

The Public Policy Analyst will work on projects that are engaging and supporting farm sectors, governments, and non-governmental organizations that are part of the transition of rural development in tropical nations to a new model in which greenhouse gas emissions decline, poverty is alleviated, freshwater systems, soil, and biodiversity are conserved and restored, and agricultural yields increase. In particular, the RA will help to implement a project that is building a bridge between agricultural commodity roundtables and REDD.

Responsibilities

• Supports REDD and agriculture initiative in coordinating/managing the “Roundtable-REDD” consortium communications, logistics, development of meeting agendas, presentations and background materials, developing research products, and meeting grant reporting requirements, as well as development of future funding proposals
• Tracks and provides policy input and support to international processes to advance strong policies and measures to sustainably reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
• Identifies opportunities to strengthen policies and incentivize forest protection and sustainable agriculture among key international and US policymakers and other influential stakeholders.
• Represents IPAM positions and objectives in coalition meetings, meetings with international climate negotiators, US and other industrialized and developing country officials, representatives of multilateral institutions, and, as appropriate, with other influential stakeholders.
• Coordinates with other NGOs to develop common strategies, policies and positions aimed at furthering the goals of such partnerships within the scope of IPAM’s mission.
• Assists in the development of grant proposals to support the International Program and other IPAM activities
• Maintains current and thorough knowledge of relevant climate, forest and agriculture policy initiatives and processes and key scientific and technical issues relevant to the design of sound, environmentally and socially sustainable forest and agriculture policies and measures to mitigate climate change.
• Maintains contact with technical and policy staff in collaborating organizations to exchange information, share resources and engage in joint activities needed to further policy or organizational goals.
• Organizes and facilitates meetings and other communications with coalition partners and/or colleagues in other organizations.

Qualifications

Education: Position requires a bachelor’s degree or, preferably, master’s-level training in environmental policy or law.

Experience: Position requires 3 years of experience working in or living in tropical forest regions and experience with climate policy (e.g. REDD and/or cap-and-trade policies). Experience with agricultural or forestry policy is desired. The position also requires strong public speaking skills, an ability to write for technical and non-technical audiences, and the ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Language skills in any of the following languages are highly desired: Portuguese, Spanish, French, Bahasa.

How to Apply