Senior Legal Campaigner (Upstream Plastics Treaty)

Senior Legal Campaigner (Upstream Plastics Treaty)

25/01/2023
CHF 65000 - CHF 85000 / year
Application deadline closed.

Job Description

Center for International Environmental Law

Description
  • POSITION TITLE: Senior Legal Campaigner (Upstream Plastics Treaty)
  • PROGRAM: Environmental Health (EH)
  • SUPERVISOR: EH Program Director
  • LOCATION: Geneva, US, or Remote
  • SALARY RANGE: $61,000-80,000 depending on qualifications and location

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

Through its Environmental Health (EH) program, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) works to protect communities and families worldwide from toxic risks, including via engaging actively for the development of a new Global Plastic Treaty. Through this new role within the EH program, the Senior Legal Campaigner will support an ongoing campaign to address the human and environmental impacts of plastic production, use, and disposal worldwide through the negotiation of a new global agreement to end plastic pollution. The Senior Legal Campaigner will participate actively in key international fora - in particular the negotiation of the future treaty to end plastic pollution, actively engage with negotiators and relevant decision-makers, and work with  partners worldwide to ensure the inclusion of adequate provisions specific to the upstream portion of the plastics life cycle, including feedstock extraction, petrochemical production, and related toxic impacts. The position will work within a cross-program team to advance campaign objectives, including extensive drafting of materials and information dissemination for a range of audience, including government delegates and negotiators, coalition partners, communications platforms, and internal purposes.

The Senior Legal Campaigner will help CIEL’s efforts to influence and guide the negotiation of a new global agreement on plastics by: (1) Supporting  negotiators to increase awareness and understanding of issues relating to the upstream aspects of the plastic life cycle and developing related textual proposals to be taken up by negotiators for inclusion in the final treaty text (2)) deepening connections with the global movements against fossil fuel extraction and petrochemical production, and (2) expanding the capacity of civil society and rights-holding partners to advocate around the upstream portions of the plastics life cycle, as described in the responsibilities outlined below. The position requires work in global policy spaces, within international coalitions, and across timezones, as well as international travel, occasionally for significant periods (health guidance permitting). The Senior Legal Campaigner will report to the Environmental Health Program Director.

DUTIES:

Global advocacy work and Campaign development:

  • Prepare policy guidance documents and negotiating text for policymakers and partners on upstream considerations in the plastics life cycle.
  • Develop and implement strategic campaigns, capacity building, and advocacy to ensure effective approaches to the upstream portions of the plastics life cycle are considered in treaty negotiations in collaboration with other campaigns coordinators and partners.
  • Organize, coordinate, and participate in events to deepen capacity among policymakers and Coalition partners alike to understand and consider upstream elements of the plastics life cycle.
  • In conjunction with other EH and Climate & Energy program staff and leadership, achieve measurable progress towards CIEL’s strategic priorities and programmatic objectives, ensuring the highest quality work.
  • Develop education, outreach, and advocacy materials for a variety of audiences in coordination with the Communications Department as relevant.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of relevant policies, trends, and issue areas.

Coordination:

  • Coordinate with and/or mobilize existing diverse coalitions to achieve shared strategic goals and objectives on the global plastics treaty negotiations in collaboration and with the support of CIEL’s campaign coordinators.
  • Support identification of and outreach to new partners to deepen expertise on upstream elements in a growing civil society and rightsholders coalition in collaboration and with the support of CIEL’s campaign coordinators.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with relevant partner organizations, including frontline/grassroots groups and health-focused organizations, as well as government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and/or other stakeholders.

Organizational representation & support:

  • As appropriate, represent CIEL before policymakers, in media interviews, and at public events to contribute to CIEL’s strategic objectives.
  • Assist in information flow within the program, and other CIEL programs.
  • Perform other job-related duties as requested or assigned by the Program Director.

Management & Administration:

  • Maintain timesheets and submit them on time.
  • Meet periodically as requested with supervisor and other team members.
  • Participate in weekly staff and team meetings and other organizational activities, including an annual staff performance evaluation.
  • Meet target dates, prioritize tasks, and ensure high-quality work products.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • At least 7 years of professional experience, with at least 2 of those in developing and delivering successful advocacy and/or policy campaigns at the international level.
  • Experience with international coalitions and environmental or human rights policy campaigns, with a strong preference for experience related to petrochemicals and/or oil and gas feedstock issues.
  • Familiarity with the drivers and impacts of the plastics crisis, particularly the fossil fuel and petrochemicals industries, and their environmental justice implications.
  • Comfort working with a wide range of constituencies, from international government representatives to community organizations and environmental justice groups.
  • Aptitude and willingness to work in rapid response circumstances where urgency is a necessity.
  • Demonstrated ability to distill key messages from technical information and translate them to different audiences.
  • Able to oversee and deliver multiple priorities by target dates and perform a wide variety of tasks over the course of the workday.
  • Able to work both separately and collaboratively, in close coordination across teams.
  • Comfort admitting what you don’t know and recognizing that seeking and receiving feedback is part of the learning process.
  • Awareness of how your words and actions affect others, openness to and respect for others’ perspectives.
  • Able to travel, sometimes for extended periods (public safety guidelines permitting).

Desired Qualifications:

  • Additional language skills in any of the other official UN languages (Spanish, French, Chinese).
  • A Masters’ Degree in a relevant field, law degree, or other advanced degree.

Location note: This position may be eligible to work from the following locations:

  • In our Geneva, Switzerland office provided you have the ability to legally work in Switzerland,  (i.e., a citizen of EU/EFTA member states).
  • CIEL has the capacity through OysterHR to hire employees in certain jurisdictions outside of where we are headquartered. Thus, candidates may be eligible to work remotely from the US or another country, depending on the US state or other country and provided your work schedule can align with South/North American and African/European time zones. You must have obtained your own legal authorization to work and live in the country from which you wish to work.
  • In our Washington, DC, USA office, provided you have obtained your own legal work authorization (CIEL cannot sponsor work visas).

This is a full-time, exempt position. CIEL offers a strong benefits package including employer-subsidized health, dental, and vision; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; a 5% contribution of gross annual salary into a 403(b) retirement account; a relocation stipend; dedicated professional development funding; and paid sabbatical leave after 7 years. CIEL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in the US, and full-time employees qualify for the US Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Application instructions: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; the first application review will take place on Wednesday, February 8. Desired start date: As soon as able. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and any other required materials or responses. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please. Note that CIEL does not sponsor visas of any kind. You must have prior work authorization in the country from which you will be working.

About CIEL: For 30 years, CIEL has used the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL’s dynamic team of international attorneys and experts work together in a collaborative and supportive work environment to tackle some of the most interesting and challenging issues facing people and the planet.

We are an equal opportunity employer, actively committed to the principles of multiculturalism and building an organization that is as diverse as the communities we serve around the world. We know that diversity and inclusion make us stronger, and we actively encourage qualified applicants with various backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and (dis)abilities to apply. If you need an accommodation or assistance with this application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@ciel.org.