The Population Council is hiring a lead for their work under Girls Resilience, Education, Empowerment and Needs (GREEN)!

 

The Population Council is hiring a lead for their   work under Girls Resilience, Education, Empowerment and Needs (GREEN)!

Description

TITLE: Associate II, GREEN Lead

REPORTING TO: PERCC Leads 

LOCATION: Flexible, any of the locations where the Population Council has an office

JOBS SUPERVISED: None

ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Indefinite

POSITION SUMMARY: The Population Council is embarking on a bold new Strategic Plan and global research agenda that aims to improve health and development outcomes by asking and answering strategic research questions to tackle pressing social, economic, health, education and climate issues worldwide. The Council’s global and interdisciplinary research brings expertise in demography, epidemiology, biomedical research and product development, economics, public health, sociology, and science communications to work on cross cutting issues. Colleagues across the Council conduct rigorous science, generate high quality evidence and innovative data products, and communicate evidence effectively to influence social, economic and health policies and investments at national and global levels. The Council’s Population, Environmental Risks and the Climate Crisis (PERCC) initiative conducts research and tests solutions to pursue justice in the face of climate and environmental changes. PERCC’s three priority areas are the intersections of climate change with 1) health, 2) adolescents and gender, and 3) urbanization. 

The Population Council’s PERCC initiative is seeking an Associate to build and lead our new Girls Resilience, Education, Empowerment and Needs (GREEN) project and advance our work under the second priority area. This exciting role is not for a traditional researcher but rather meant for an individual who can lead partnerships with bi- and multi-lateral agencies, cultivate foundations, and design and implement an innovative, forward-thinking strategy and agenda around research and programs focused on how climate change is affecting young people’s lives. The GREEN Associate will work through PERCC and collaborate across the Council’s GIRL Center, the Gender, Education, Justice and Equity (GEJE) initiative, and develop new projects and programs across our international offices (IOs) and affiliate organizations (AOs). The Associate will collaborate and work closely across the Council, build partnerships, mobilize resources, and create a cross-sectoral strategic plan to build work at this intersection of climate change and adolescent education and livelihoods. The PERCC team is looking to grow, strengthen capacity and implement more research and programs in this space, synthesizing what works, identifying where gaps remain, disseminating and amplifying notable findings and solutions across partners, donors, and media stakeholders.

The Population Council is well placed to grow a portfolio of research to improve the lives of the 1.8 billion young people by addressing how climate change is affecting their lives. Through the GREEN project, PERCC aims to grow work around diverse topics relevant to adolescents and young people such as access to safe and equitable learning environments, health, changing gender dynamics, and the potential for digital and technology solutions and employment opportunities, for example in renewable energy fields. The GREEN Associate will develop and implement innovative programs and solutions and to inform decision makers on what works to equip young people with skills and opportunities in a green economy. There are opportunities to lead research and evaluation projects if applicable. The Associate will also be responsible for the development and management of GREEN along with fundraising efforts and dissemination of proven practices and evidence. 

*Candidates based outside the US should be local nationals of the country where they will work, or regional non-nationals from LMICs holding, or able to acquire and maintain, the proper work permits/visas.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Contribute to the Council’s innovative and policy/program-relevant research agenda:

1. As a core team member of PERCC, the Associate will collaborate across the Council to define, lead, implement and manage innovative program development, research and evaluation, including 1) schooling disruptions due to climate change; 2) green life skills trainings and livelihood opportunities; 3) effects of climate on young people’s health and well-being including mental health; and 4) gender norms and transitions to adulthood affected by climate change; 5) opportunities for young people to take climate advocacy and leadership roles. This can include intersections with digital and other technology, such as how to use technology to reach students during schooling disruptions, leverage social media or apps for youth-led advocacy around climate teach, or develop new skills for ‘green’ employment sectors including renewable energy and innovation. 

2. Assess the current gaps on priority innovation and research areas related to GREEN and develop ideas, analyses, and research to address these issues. 

3. Serve as co- investigator/lead researcher together with scientists and other research staff to develop and execute a GREEN strategy that aligns with Council’s and PERCC’s priorities. 

4. Produce academic and non-academic publications that effectively communicate the Council’s evidence and ideas to diverse audiences. 

5. Build relationships and collaborate with nonprofit, public and private sectors and philanthropy partners for successful development and implement programs. 

6. Write donor reports, review and revise draft manuscripts and other written products. 

Contribute to the partner and resource development of the Council’s growing research program in climate and adolescence: 

7. Lead resource mobilization and fundraising efforts for GREEN, including application for grants, by identifying and liaising with donors and contributing to proposal development. This includes submitting requests for proposals, concept notes and cultivating donor relationships and partnerships. 

8. Establish equitable partnerships with global South-based colleagues and partner, including researchers, feminist-led advocates and practitioners, and staff from Council IOs/AOs, to increase global South voices and perspectives in global discourse and program development, publications, facilitate connections, and build capacity of early career colleagues.   

9. Integrate and translate evidence into digital and web-based tools, where applicable, includes opportunities for data visualization and innovative applications that increase the visibility of our work. 

10. Represent the Council at external meetings and conferences. 

11. Perform related duties for PERCC overall strategy development and leadership across the three objectives. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse and/or nontraditional backgrounds who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas. 

1. A Masters Degree and at least 10+ years of experience (or PhD and at least 6+ years of experience) in climate science, education, economics, public health, or other social sciences/relevant disciplines; a focus on how climate is shaping education and adolescent livelihoods preferred 

2. At least 6-10+ years professional work experience in leading program development and management on complex projects and initiatives at global health and development organizations, preferred 

3. Track record of publications and grant applications on topics related to GREEN 

4. Track record of raising funds for innovative ideas, research and policy work including from government agencies, foundations and private donors. 

Experience

5. Fluency in rigorous research methods and approaches and in translating evidence into policy 

6. Strong knowledge and application of research designs and methodology, strategy development, and implementation of new/innovative ideas   

7. Experience writing research grants and proposals (track record of winning research grants is desirable) 

8. Experience developing, managing and implementing a new idea from start to completion over the project life cycle 

9. Experience in interacting with external partners (e.g., policy makers, researchers, advocates, donors, practitioners) to use data and evidence to effect change 

10. Experience working with under-resourced populations, especially marginalized women and girls 

11. Experience program development, innovation, and evaluation of climate change adaptation and resilience and digital solutions, working with adolescents and young people in diverse settings 

12. Experience in proactive donor cultivation to attract investment in new and emerging ideas. 

Skills: 

13. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders (strong record proposal and grant writing is desirable) 

14. Excellent time management and organizational skills  

15. Highly developed skills to influence and persuade; ability to quickly and effectively build relationships with team members and stakeholders 

16. Excellent computer proficiency (e.g., MS Office – Word, Excel and Outlook, other software) 

17. Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary assistance to internal and external stakeholders 

18. Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments within given parameters  

19. Strong attention to detail, with a proven ability to handle multiple responsibilities at one time, successfully prioritize tasks and meet deadlines

 

Other: 

20. Flexible and self-motivated, with willingness to work on a team and build capacity of colleagues 

21. Results-oriented and committed to excellence 

22. Willingness and interest in domestic and international travel (15-25%) 

SALARY AND BENEFITS:  If position is based outside of the United States, the salary range and benefits will be in accordance with the local pay scale and benefits structure in the relevant Council international office. Our international offices provide competitive benefits packages including health insurance available immediately upon hire, generous annual and sick leave, and paid parental leave.

For U.S.-based positions, salary range is between $107,000 –139,000 annually, depending on knowledge, skills, and experience. Excellent benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance available immediately upon hire;
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution equal to 12% of annual salary (up to a maximum salary of $200,000) after one year of employment;
• 24 annual and 12 sick days per year (accrued semi-monthly) *
• Approximately 10 paid holidays;
• 13 weeks of paid parental leave;
• Educational assistance*
• College tuition support for dependents**

We strive to provide an environment of professional growth and development.

*Pro-rated for part-time staff who work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

**Employees must work full-time to be eligible for this benefit

Application Deadline: February 21, 2024

When applying through the web portal please attach your CV and Cover Letter in Word or PDF format.

The Council requires all U.S. based staff, interns and fellows to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. New staff members must verify vaccination at the time of hire. For positions based in our international offices, new staff will be required to follow COVID-19 vaccination policies in accordance with local government guidance. Exemptions will only be considered for medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs. Exemptions are not guaranteed and must be discussed with Human Resources. 

  

The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please apply at: http://www.popcouncil.org/employment/index.asp.

The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to Black people and people of African descent, Indigenous people, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.