Climate and Environment Special Assistant (USAID TOPS)

EnCompass is seeking a Climate and Environment Special Assistant (USAID TOPS) to provide administrative assistance and support to USAID’s Center for Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure (EEI), although the position will be placed in the EEI Natural Environment Unit.

The Special Assistant will offer support for a wide range of climate and environmental activities, and will be tasked with coordination, organization, logistics, and administrative duties, including support on communications and other management tasks. The Assistant will learn about climate, energy and environment initiatives and build relationships across the Agency by managing the incoming daily, quick action tasks for clearance. Approximately half of the Assistant’s time will be spent managing administrative and logistical needs in support of the Agency’s Chief Climate Officer.

The Special Assistant needs to be highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and able to manage multiple requests at once. The ideal candidate will also be comfortable with outreach and follow-up needed to get feedback and move requests along. Interest in international development and the nexus between development and climate and environment issues is required.  

This full-time role will be fully embedded within USAID (in Washington D.C.) for a period of 1-2 years; The Agency expects this role to be telework eligible several days a week. The ability to telework may change, depending on USAID’s needs or requirements. Regardless of telework status, the Special Assistant will be expected to support teams and events in-person as needed. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship and eligible to obtain and maintain facilities security clearance (i.e. U.S. citizen or permanent resident).

The position is funded through the Technical, Operational, and Program Support (TOPS) contract, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded institutional support contract for USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI). Through this contract, EnCompass provides technical assistance to USAID in support of the Agency’s climate, environment, energy and infrastructure efforts. This is an exciting time to be supporting climate efforts at USAID and an opportunity to take an active role in combating the climate crisis around the world.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions include:

• Act as the team’s Action Officer (approximately 50% of the time) by managing the tasker system for the Center:
  1. Ensure that daily, incoming quick action tasks for clearance are tracked and organized appropriately
  2. Forward taskers as needed for review and follow-up to ensure they receive informed feedback
  3. Ensure that taskers are processed/sent for additional clearance in a timely manner.
• Act as Special Assistant to the Agency Chief Climate Officer:
  1. Assist with planning, design, and implementation of meetings and events (in person or virtual)
  2. Synthesize notes and decisions from meetings
  3. Arrange travel, hotels, visas and other necessary preparations
• Drafting, editing, and formatting materials, documents, and correspondence as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree and 1-3 years of relevant experience. Will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Preferred areas of study include environmental/natural resource management, climate or other climate-related fields, business, international development, public policy.

Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated interest in the environment and climate sectors is required. Demonstrated interest may include related coursework, participation in online learning events, etc.
• A commitment to advancing the mission of USAID/EEI and familiarity with the USAID climate strategy
• Strong verbal and written English language skills; highly skilled at writing and editing documents, materials and/or correspondence
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work within defined standard operating procedures and adhere to quality guidelines
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and strong time management skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as needed
• Excellent computer skills in Google Suite applications
• Experience in the administration and coordination of projects highly desirable
• International experience (professional, study abroad, etc.) highly desirable. An academic background, personal experiences, or other demonstrations of knowledge and interest in the developing country context may qualify as experience
• Fluency in language(s) other than English is highly desirable

How to Apply

Please submit CV and cover letter and complete the application.

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.

If you require accommodations in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete your application, please call 301-287-8700, provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case-basis, and we will call you back within approximately 3 business days.

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