Vice President of Policy

Center for Clean Air Policy

Washington, DC
 

OVERVIEW:

The Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), a renowned leader for more than two decades in the global climate change policy arena, seeks applications and nominations for a Vice President of Policy (VPP). The last few years have seen unprecedented interest in climate policy, and CCAP aims to maximize its influence in market-driven, politically viable policy solutions around the world. To that end, CCAP is creating a new role, the Vice President of Policy (VPP) to oversee U.S. policy initiatives.

Working closely and collaboratively with CCAP’s founder and staff, the VPP will be responsible for identifying opportunities for new policy development, strategic partnerships and increased impact within the United States. S/he will manage an integrated portfolio of U.S. domestic policy projects and work with stakeholders to provide education to advance effective policy change. The ideal candidate will identify and inspire opportunities for positive change using his or her extensive environmental policy experience and his/her capacity to facilitate dialogue. S/he will demonstrate substantive knowledge of climate and clean air policy, have a proven track record for managing staff, budgets and complex projects, and provide leadership in fundraising for CCAP’s U.S. programs. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership skills, humor, adaptability, humility and creativity to effectively influence climate policy.

MISSION & HISTORY:

To significantly advance cost-effective and pragmatic air quality and climate policy through analysis, dialogue and education to reach a broad range of policymakers and stakeholders worldwide.

        -- CCAP Mission Statement    

Ned Helme, a leading expert on climate and clean air policy, founded CCAP in 1985 with the explicit goal to search for innovative solutions to environmental and energy problems. Under Ned’s visionary leadership, CCAP has developed unparalleled expertise in climate policy and has become a recognized leader in climate and air quality policy at the local, national and international levels.

By working closely with policy makers at all levels of government, CCAP seeks to develop, promote and implement innovative, market-based solutions to major climate, air quality, and energy problems while balancing both environmental and economic interests. CCAP is the only independent, international nonprofit think tank in the world working exclusively on these issues in all major climate policy markets in the U.S. and internationally. With a staff of 20 and a growing budget of $3.5 million funded by foundations, corporations and international governments, CCAP advances cost-effective and pragmatic policies using an active, on-the-ground approach.

CCAP has had great successes nationally as well as internationally throughout its 23 year history. In the U.S., CCAP played a major role in the landmark sulfur dioxide trading program and worked to develop a comprehensive climate policy strategy for New York State, leading to the successful creation of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Internationally, CCAP crafted the original design for the European Union’s CO 2 trading system and worked with three U.S. utilities to successfully finance the first carbon reduction project, the retrofit of coal-fired heating plant in Czech Republic. CCAP also produced with stakeholders the original design rules for the Clean Development Mechanism adopted as the Marrakech Accords.

To continue significant advancements in cost-effective and pragmatic climate policy, CCAP seeks to reach a broad range of policymakers and stakeholders worldwide through analysis, dialogue and education. Its current work is split evenly between international and U.S. programs. In the U.S., CCAP has three major program initiatives: the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), the longstanding multi-stakeholder dialogue that works to develop solutions to further advance the U.S. climate policy debate, the California Program, with the broad objectives to advise the California climate policy debate at both ends of the spectrum and affect the development and integration of climate change policies statewide, and the Urban Leader Adaptation Initiative, with the path breaking objective to serve as a resource for government partners as they face infrastructure and land use decisions that affect local adaptation efforts and develop climate resilient strategies. To capitalize on increasing awareness and concern for climate and clean air policy both domestically and internationally, CCAP is now working to develop greater depth and breadth within its own organization.

President Ned Helme continues his strategic trail-blazing policy initiatives. In the past few years, global interest in climate policy has only continued to grow. CCAP now seeks to expand its senior leadership staff to capitalize on this rising interest and to take advantage of myriad opportunities for engagement and impact in the U.S. and internationally. Achieving a global solution is a complex undertaking which requires in-depth knowledge of the debates in each critical region, and the ability to integrate developments and solutions across regions. CCAP’s engagement in all markets has proven valuable to inform concrete solutions. The VPP will be at the forefront of developing these policies and will serve as a critical partner in the organization’s next stages of development.

More information about the Center for Clean Air Policy’s U.S. and international programs can be found at: http://www.ccap.org.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY:

The CCAP Vice President of Policy will work to develop cost-effective, pragmatic climate policy. By building relationships both inside CCAP and beyond, the VPP will play a critical role in maintaining and expanding the organization’s impact. The VPP will be a strong manager who can lead staff toward external opportunities. Key challenge areas for the VPP include:

Working with the President and CCAP leadership team to expand the scope and impact of CCAP’s work

As a key organizational thought leader, the VPP will partner with the President to identify new projects and corresponding funding sources including opportunities for partnering with government agencies and/or private and corporate foundations on key issues. The VPP will work with the CCAP leadership team to strike the correct balance between internal and external project management and to establish staff relationships that free the President for external communication and policy work to advance CCAP’s mission.

Identifying outside opportunities for policy development, strategic partnership, and increased impact

The VPP will develop a U.S. policy agenda and corresponding outreach strategy to maintain and extend the Center’s impact on climate policy. As CCAP is a cutting-edge organization known for anticipating changes in the political landscape, the VPP must be excited to discover and develop new policy opportunities. S/he will seek to build and maintain lasting and productive relationships with policymakers, key opinion leaders, businesspeople, foundation officers and legislators at all levels.

Managing and integrating domestic policy development and analysis

In addition to developing new projects, the VPP will manage CCAP’s portfolio of ongoing U.S. policy initiatives. Leading a staff of six to 10 people including off-site contractors, and managing a program budget of close to $2 million, the VPP will be responsible for the strategic design, planning, and implementation of each project or program. S/he will work to ensure integration as appropriate across a variety of complex initiatives. Key project Managers are in place who will report to the VPP and, along with other analytical and program staff, work together on CCAP’s program initiatives. It will be the role of the VPP to provide effective staff and project management, training and career guidance and help to strengthen the capacity of the organization.

Leadership for better policy

Success for CCAP is contingent upon working with and convincing key policymakers to enact effective policies. Thus, the VPP will directly oversee effective outreach, education and analytical functions both within the context of the CCAP “dialogue” process and in other ways. S/he will develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, partner with policy organizations, leaders and politicians and exude confidence and leadership in overseeing the complex and extensive policy making process.
 

QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate will be an established and articulate leader with sophistication, intelligence, drive and experience in influencing and shaping environmental policy. S/he will ideally hold a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or a related field and have a minimum of 10 years of policy experience. Preference will be given to candidates with an advanced degree. Experience working on Capitol Hill is highly desired. Additionally, the ideal applicant will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

• An ability to anticipate creative opportunities for collaboration and dialogue and to inspire new positive approaches;

• Substantive knowledge of climate policy and the ability to understand and articulate sophisticated economic, policy and scientific analysis;

• A proven track record for managing and leveraging staff, complex budgets and multiple projects simultaneously;

• Acumen in communicating a mission and expected results to myriad audiences, the skills to participate in business development processes and a history of successfully attracting funding;

• A zeal for the importance of improving climate policies;

• Strong and strategic relationship-building skills including effective networking skills and the ability to engage policy leaders in constructive dialogue;

• A thorough understanding of the legislative process including intimate knowledge of public policy organizations and the legislative community;

• Superior oral and written communication skills;

• The flexibility and ability to work in a collaborative environment and proven leadership success within nonprofit organizations;

• A sense of humor, adaptability, humility and creativity.
   

APPLICATION AND NOMINATION INFORMATION:

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word or pdf format), where you learned of the position and a salary history should be sent to: ccap-vpp@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only content in the subject line of your e-mail.

The Center for Clean Air Policy is an equal opportunity employer.