Role: Climate Lead

Overview

Climate has rapidly become a priority for TPI, and we are planning a major new programme that takes TPI’s cutting-edge, multi-level approach to professionalizing collaboration into the climate sphere. We are seeking an experienced professional to lead the development and implementation of this new climate programme.

About the Climate Action Programme

Our starting point for the development of this programme is the insight that partnerships are seen as an inevitable part of delivering most climate action, but there is very little attention being given to the quality of the partnering process. This creates a very real risk of underperforming partnerships; duplication of effort; and wasted time and investment. This insight is emphasised by a major research programme during 2023 which TPI undertook in partnership with the UN and the German government, identifying what is needed for partnerships to have a far more significant impact.

The precise details and focus of the programme will be developed by the climate lead working collaboratively with TPI colleagues, especially our well-established foundations programme. The potential for engagement is enormous on the huge, complex and urgent topic of climate action and we will look to our climate lead to identify the points of highest potential for TPI as a specialist partnering support NGO, also reflecting the experience, relationships and interest of the climate lead.

In general, our collaborative programmes tend to follow a common approach. This involves creating a group of key organisations with a direct interest (in this case, investors, foundations, UNFCCC, INGOs, climate partnerships etc.) and then working initially in three ways:

Direct support to organisations and partnerships and drawing out learning;
Peer-to-peer exchange of knowledge and experience;
Undertaking research, including action research, on emerging topics to understand the challenges and develop the latest thinking;

The next phase would be to codify and develop good practice based on the above three experiences, and then disseminating through guidance, tools, professional development and the building up of a network of trained individuals or organisations able to deliver support / capacity development at scale.

Responsibilities

This is a senior position within TPI responsible for shaping and running a major programme of strategic importance.

Engagement and scoping

Building strong internal relationships within the TPI core team, associates and board
Building strong external relationships with climate-focussed organisations and partnerships
Understanding TPI’s unique way of working as a small but highly connected organization
Identifying TPI’s value added in climate partnerships – building on TPI’s strengths while addressing areas of highest need

Programme development and management

Supporting design and development of programme concepts and plans
Setting-up programme management systems, including workplans, task tracking, and staffing/time allocation
Supporting set-up and management of budgets
Liaising with administration colleagues on the engagement of Associates, invoices to clients, and general programme administration

Research and programme delivery

Supporting (and/ or leading on) the delivery of TPI services for clients
Developing tools and guidance tailored to specific organisations / context
Conducting primary and secondary research (including designing data collection tools, undertaking desk reviews, and analysing data)

Networking and engagement

Managing and developing relationships with clients, collaborators, and funders
Supporting peer exchange and connections between different TPI clients and collaborators
Staying abreast of relevant developments in the sector,
Responding to requests for services, working closely with the team to fully understand client needs, and putting together concept notes / proposals

Competencies

Essential skills, knowledge, experience

Native level fluency in spoken and written English;
Educated to at least degree level (or very significant professional experience);
Extensive knowledge of, and connections within, the climate landscape;
10 to 15 years’ experience in international development, sustainability or related fields, with a significant part of that within climate;
Highly-developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage at all levels of seniority and from different cultures and backgrounds;
Experience of co-developing new programmes and initiatives;
Experience in managing programmes and budgets.

Desirable skills, knowledge, experience

Experience living in low- or middle-income country or countries;
Experience and knowledge of multi-actor collaboration and systems change;
Familiarity with the climate science and climate finance landscape;
Experience providing consultancy services to partnerships and organisations;
Experience developing tools and guidebooks;
TPI Certificate in Partnering Practice (and/or familiarity with TPI’s approach) or other similar accreditation;
Fluency in other languages (ideally French and/or Spanish)

Personal characteristics

Ability to work under pressure, juggling multiple different priorities
Ability to quickly develop good relationships
Ability to rapidly learn and adjust to new and evolving contexts
Well-organised – a “planner”
Self-starter, ready to take significant initiative
Able to work independently as well as being highly supportive of team members
Positive and optimistic outlook

Ways of working

You will be leading the development of a new programme, strongly supported by senior staff including TPI’s executive director.

You will work and interact regularly with the rest of TPI’s small core team of around 10 staff (based mainly in the UK) who together bring a unique range of skills and backgrounds. As with any small, constantly evolving organisation, each individual juggles multiple roles within TPI, while shaping their role around their skills and interests.

The work is varied and often fast-paced, requiring rapid processing of information from multiple sources, and the ability to act confidently in uncertain or ambiguous situations. Your colleagues are an incredibly supportive bunch, and the team will have your back. We try to practice what we preach when it comes to partnering.

At TPI, you should be willing to contribute laughter and energy. You will get the best from your work with TPI if you are very deliberate about how you want to contribute, where you want to develop, and what you want to learn. You will be working closely with TPI’s small core team, as well as with TPI senior associates (including TPI’s lead on PPPPs) and potentially with TPI’s board members. Your ability to build strong relationships quickly with a diverse group of people will be called upon regularly.

As with any small, constantly evolving organisation, each individual juggles multiple responsibilities within TPI, while shaping their role around their skills and interests. The work is varied and often fast-paced, requiring rapid processing of information from multiple sources, and the ability to act confidently in uncertain or ambiguous situations. Your colleagues are an incredibly supportive bunch, and the team will always have your back. We try to practice what we preach when it comes to partnering.

At TPI, you should be willing to contribute laughter and energy. You will get the best from your work with TPI if you have bags of initiative, are very deliberate about how you want to contribute, where you want to develop, and what you want to learn.

Other details

Work pattern

Each position is for a minimum 3 days per week, up to 5 days per week. If part-time, hours/days are fully flexible across the week, though it would be expected that a regular pattern of working hours would be agreed.

Salary and conditions

This is a permanent position. The salary is in the region of £55k-£72k pro rata, depending on the experience of the appointee. TPI makes an 8% pension contribution on top of the salary.

TPI staff receive pro rata 33 days of leave (including 8 UK public holidays).

Reporting

The philanthropy lead will report to TPI’s Creative Director.

Location and travel

TPI is based in Oxford (UK). The post-holder must be located within a 3-hour time zone of the UK, and have the right to work in the UK or be able to be contracted on a long term basis as an independent contractor. TPI cannot employ staff outside of the UK.

TPI offers highly flexible working arrangements, and remote working is possible, albeit with regular visits to the office.

The position may require travel for programme delivery. This is unlikely to be more than 10% of the time.

Application process

Please submit your CV and a cover letter setting out why you’re excited by partnerships and want to work for TPI. Please also note how you heard about the position.

Every role at TPI is open to applications from all sections of society, regardless of race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, different physical ability, family structure, socio-economics, age, nationality or citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other aspect. We hold ourselves accountable to a diversity statement. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from groups that are underrepresented in the UK charity sector.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, with March 15th as the final deadline. There will be two rounds of interview, initially via Zoom and (for UK-based candidates) in-person in Oxford.

All correspondence and questions to: recruitment@thepartneringinitiative.org