Director, Adaptation & Resilience, Climate & Environment

The salary range for this position is $101,000 to $135,000

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The United Nations Foundation was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner's historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The United Nations Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to the United Nations to help strengthen the UN and its ability to advance human dignity and well-being on a thriving planet. The Foundation champions multilateral cooperation and the UN system and serves its mission by accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate action, mobilizing diverse constituencies for global change, nurturing a strong U.S.-UN relationship, and supporting the UN and its leadership.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director, Adaptation & Resilience works directly with the senior leadership of the Climate & Environment team to develop and advance the UN Foundation’s adaptation and resilience strategy. The Director leads the implementation of this strategy, collaborating with colleagues across the Climate & Environment team and the broader UN Foundation to advance policy and advocacy priorities, cultivate strategic partnerships, support fundraising efforts, and provide substantive guidance and support to UN Foundation leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director, Adaptation & Resilience will lead the execution of the UN Foundation’s adaptation and resilience strategy in close collaboration with the senior leadership of the Climate & Environment team. Essential responsibilities include:

• Lead the execution of UNF’s adaptation and resilience strategy, identifying opportunities to advance policy priorities, influence international climate processes, and achieve meaningful adaptation and resilience outcomes
• Shape and coordinate UNF’s adaptation and resilience engagement across key international forums, processes, and negotiations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), World Bank meetings, and G20, as relevant
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for UNF’s Adaptation Campaign Hub and related communications and advocacy initiatives, strengthening their reach, effectiveness, and contribution to UNF’s adaptation and resilience objectives
• Serve as a principal point of contact for key partners within and outside the United Nations system, cultivating and sustaining relationships that advance shared adaptation and resilience priorities
• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy in collaboration with relevant UNF teams, identifying funding opportunities, cultivating prospective donors, and securing resources to sustain and expand UNF’s adaptation and resilience initiatives
• Identify, establish, and strengthen collaborations with governments, civil society organizations, private-sector entities, and philanthropic foundations to advance collective action on climate adaptation and resilience
• Provide substantive policy analysis, strategic recommendations, and technical guidance to inform UNF leadership’s decision-making and external engagement. Oversee and contribute to the development of research, policy assessments, briefing materials, talking points, and testimony, as appropriate
• Lead the design and execution of high-level meetings, workshops, and consultations that bring together diverse stakeholders, foster collaboration, and advance UNF’s adaptation and resilience priorities
• Represent UNF in international and domestic meetings, conferences, and professional forums, articulating the Foundation’s adaptation and resilience priorities and strengthening its relationships with key stakeholders

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director, Adaptation & Resilience is a supervisory role.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in climate policy, political science, economics, environmental studies, or a related field. Candidates with commensurate professional experience demonstrating the requisite knowledge and capabilities are also encouraged to apply
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in climate policy, adaptation, resilience, or closely related fields, including experience in policy development, advocacy, strategic communications, or international engagement
• Advanced knowledge of climate change, adaptation, and resilience policy, including familiarity with international climate processes, policy frameworks, and emerging priorities
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategies and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, preferably within international, multilateral, nonprofit, or public policy environments
• Experience cultivating strategic partnerships and engaging with governments, international organizations, civil society, philanthropic institutions, or private-sector stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy and technical information into compelling messages, strategic recommendations, and executive-level briefing materials
• Strong research and policy analysis skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and develop actionable recommendations
• Demonstrated proficiency in strategic planning, project management, and the coordination of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and diverse international audiences
• Experience developing and executing strategic communications and advocacy initiatives that advance organizational objectives

COMPETENCIES

The following competencies support successful performance of this role.

• Demonstrated strategic thinking and sound judgment, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into actionable plans and measurable outcomes
• Proven ability to lead complex initiatives, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal competencies, with the ability to establish trust and collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and advance shared objectives across organizations, sectors, and cultures
• Proactive, solutions-oriented approach, with demonstrated adaptability, initiative, and accountability for results
• Strong attention to detail and organizational awareness, with the ability to exercise discretion and navigate changing priorities effectively

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The essential functions of this role will generally be performed in a typical professional office environment with routine use of standard office equipment. Employees are expected to work on-site in accordance with UNF’s hybrid work policy, which currently requires regular in-office presence.

LOCATION

Remote

DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

The United Nations Foundation will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

To be considered for this position, please upload both a resume and cover letter. Applications that do not include both documents will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

For full-time, U.S. benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

• a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
• group term and supplemental life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• back-up care
• employee assistance program

Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.

The United Nations Foundation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.