Position: Agriculture Methane Director, Super Pollutants

Reports Directly to: Program Director, Super Pollutants Program

Location: Flexible

ABOUT CATF AND THE SUPER POLLUTANTS TEAM:

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a non-profit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid global development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. This is accomplished through research and analysis, public advocacy leadership, and partnership with the private sector.

CATF is highly respected for its deep expertise and research on energy and industrial systems and potential strategies, technologies, and policies that can radically shrink their impact on the planet’s atmosphere. Our team of 70+ experts and advocates (and global network of subject matter experts and civil society partners) put this research and knowledge into action by designing and enacting public policies that drive toward zero emissions. We also support policies and work directly with private industry to innovate in technology to make the path to zero emissions swift and affordable. 

CATF is chartered in the US and Netherlands, and operates globally throughout Europe, Asia, Canada, Latin America, and in multilateral international forums. CATF was the first NGO globally to focus on reducing methane and other short-lived climate pollutants. Taken together, efforts to reduce super pollutants globally could prevent more than half a degree C of warming, while also delivering numerous additional public health and ecological benefits. Alongside our team of experts, we leverage an extensive network of collaborators in civil society, industry, academia and government. CATF is well known for its work targeting the oil and gas sector, which represents the largest industrial methane source worldwide. We built coalitions and provided technical expertise that led to methane policies in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and we helped catalyze and support the Global Methane Pledge, which launched at COP26 with more than 100 countries participating.

ROLE:

In the agriculture sector, the team is developing a roadmap for effective levers to address methane emissions alongside other climate pollutants. We are engaging with partners in key venues to push for adoption of existing solutions, participating in the Climate & Clean Air Coalition to help connect leaders and scale up technical and policy support, and advocating for a rapid and robust RD&D effort targeting tough-to-abate sources. The Agriculture Methane Director will lead this work, developing and carrying out a set of strategies to reduce methane emissions from the sector. The Director will also explore work with leading companies to push adoption of proven interventions across the supply chain.

The Director must have an understanding of the developments and research in the agriculture sector associated with methane abatement. This person will also be comfortable translating the science into public policy. They will work with a variety of staff, consultants, outside organizations, governments, and companies, and must have highly effective relationship management skills, and diplomacy. The ideal candidate will also be personally motivated to play a role in the global effort to quickly slow the rate of climate change.

Key Responsibilities:

• Hone and lead implementation of CATF’s strategy to reduce methane emissions from the agriculture sector.

• Advocate in select jurisdictions for increased government policies and resources to reduce methane emissions from the agriculture sector.
• Collaborate with and strengthen connections between policymakers, scientists, and other NGOs working to reduce methane emissions from the agriculture sector.
• Lead CATF’s engagement in the Agriculture Hub of the Climate & Clean Air Coalition.
• Review technical or scientific reports or data to identify policy implications and/or advocacy messages.
• Produce thought leadership content including blogs, op-eds, LinkedIn commentary posts, reports, whitepapers, analyses, and other compelling material to advance CATF’s super pollutants reduction objectives.

• Support the creation of factsheets and other messaging collateral to effectively communicate science and technology developments to key decisionmakers, including civil, elected and business leaders.
• Engage with partners and allied organizations to amplify findings and core advocacy messages.
• Stay current on the latest developments on solutions for methane emissions from the agriculture sector.
• Act as a spokesperson with external audiences including partner briefings, media appearances and statements, public speaking, and presentations in stakeholder forums. 
• Manage and oversee work by consultants, as needed.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in science or policy related to the sector.
• Professional experience in the agriculture sector (industry, academia, or otherwise) that demonstrates expertise and unique knowledge of agricultural methane emissions.
• Experience in public policy, issue advocacy, stakeholder engagement or communications.
• Strong analytical skills with an ability to translate complex or technical information into plain language.
• Exceptional writing and communications skills to effectively convey information to partners and decision makers.
• Demonstrated experience with managing and building relationships with stakeholders.
• Capable of working and collaborating in a virtual office environment; willingness to travel. 
• Willingness to work occasional odd hours to accommodate global partners in different time zones.
• Entrepreneurial and self-starting/self-management approach to work requiring minimal supervision. 
• Mission-driven and dedicated to CATF’s broader mission of advancing climate solutions. 

Compensation and Location:

This is a full-time, funding-dependent position. CATF offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. The location for this position is flexible. CATF provides equal employment opportunities.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit a resume, cover letter referencing the position title, and contact information for two to three professional and/or academic references.

CATF provides equal employment opportunities.