Oil Change International - U.S. Oil & Gas Strategic Coordinator

Position type: Full time, 2-year position, exempt 

Managed by: OCI Regional Director

Housed at: Oil Change International (OCI)

Salary: ~$100,000 commensurate with experience, + benefits

Position Summary

The U.S. Oil & Gas Strategic Coordinator is a senior position that will work with Oil Change International staff and core partners to bring together strategies from across the fossil fuel phaseout movement to articulate a comprehensive multi-year effort to limit oil and gas production in the United States. The Strategic Coordinator will work closely with core partners to convene and coordinate a group of organizations to develop a broad stakeholder process to assemble a shared strategy or framework for oil & gas supply side action. This is a two-year position, the first phase of which will focus on strategy alignment, and subsequent phases aimed at supporting efforts to raise resources at scale and supporting partners to implement shared plans.
 

Position Functions and Responsibilities

Convene and Coordinate Partners to Assemble Comprehensive U.S. Oil & Gas Strategy

• Convene & support a core set of partners in designing and implementing a stakeholder process to identify and align key long-term strategies to address the undue influence of the fossil fuel industry and to limit oil & gas production in the US.
• Convene regular meetings of core partners, design clear agendas and facilitate meetings effectively to move people through discussion to decision to action; skillfully manage a balance between inclusive substantive discussion and landing concrete steps forward, while making space for voices with a variety of perspectives & expertise.
• Coordinate & support core partners in implementing agreed action steps between regular meetings (for example, through 1:1 conversations, small group huddles, emails, drafting documents, etc), maintaining open and responsive channels of communication, and supporting flexibility, agility, and accountability to one another.
• With the guidance of core partners, coordinate, support, and participate in outreach to organizations and individuals to engage in a stakeholder process that
  • reflect a range of approaches and strategies for addressing oil & gas production, including (but not limited to) groups that focus on grassroots campaigning, multi-issue base/power building, policy advocacy, legal action, communications, and research.
  • represent a variety of issue areas or tactical fights relevant to oil & gas supply side campaigning (ex. gas & oil extraction, pipelines, plastics, LNG, subsidies, public lands, decommissioning, etc.)
  • represent broad alliances addressing issues underpinning the movement’s ability to phase out fossil fuels, including environmental and racial justice, Indigenous rights, labor, economic justice, public health, and democracy.
• Project manage and support core partners and outside facilitators to articulate the parameters of and implement a stakeholder process that tentatively includes
  • mapping the movement strategy landscape through 1:1 conversations, among other avenues
  • analyzing & interpreting findings to identify areas alignment, complementarity, gaps and opportunities
  • sharing and gathering feedback on interpretation in a consultative manner, including in at least one large group meeting, and additionally in small group conversations, “office hours”, 1:1 conversations, etc. 
• Support core strategy partners and contracted facilitators to develop the substantive content of a 2-3 day meeting of approximately 100 participants, and work with OCI operations staff to manage meeting logistics.
• Support core strategy group members in determining what, if any, foundational research is needed to inform or support the development of a shared strategy framework.
• Work with core partners and fundraising expert(s) to help translate strategy alignment outcomes to funders, including clarifying progress toward a shared vision, coordinating whatever the fundraiser needs, maybe helping draft docs, other things
• Manage financial support and other resources to enable active participation from frontline and grassroots organizations, with operational support from Oil Change International’s finance and operations staff.
• Support core partners in tracking relevant emerging issues, initiatives and shifts in climate, energy and relevant progressive movement and political spaces, and analyze how these changes may impact strategy alignment.
• Maintain regular communication with international partners in the Global Gas & Oil Network to ensure international visibility into developments in the U.S. movement and political landscape, and opportunities for joint action, as relevant to oil and gas production and phaseout and energy transition.

Project Management

• Maintain clear project & work plans that include objectives, deliverables, roles, and timelines.
• With support from OCI finance staff, manage project budget and report regularly to core initiative partners, coalition partners and funder(s).
• Draft, or coordinate the drafting of, key documents, including joint strategy documents and supporting materials.
• Oversee the commissioning and publication of foundational research and analysis to support the proposed strategy, and other public-facing products, as needed.
• Manage logistics to support collaboration, including communications tools, scheduling & facilitating meetings, developing agendas, etc., and managing external logistical support for larger convenings.

Organizational Values and Culture, Equity and Inclusion

• Demonstrate collegiality, good judgment, decision making, and problem solving skills; proactively working to resolve conflicts and issues as they arise; demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills, and foster collaboration, inclusion, and equity as part of your work.
• Contribute to a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Champion inclusion and equity within the organization and in work with partners and coalitions.

Administrative

• Consistently work established core hours, as agreed with manager and as appropriate to time zone and work preferences.
• Respond to partner communications, such as email or slack requests, on a reasonable timeline.
• Participate in 360 management reviews, which may include close allies, adjusting performance as needed based on feedback.

Experience Requirements

• 8 years of experience working in the U.S. climate and energy policy and/or movement space, preferably with a social justice and progressive non-profit lens. 
• 3 or more years of experience in a senior role involving project management, strategy development, and campaign execution, with experience facilitating teams and/or coalitions to successfully execute complex projects or campaign efforts. 
• Excellent project management skills, including timely follow-through and demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of organization and attention to detail.
• Deep knowledge of, trusted relationships with, and demonstrated acumen in working with actors across the broad landscape of climate and energy movements and politics in the U.S., including grassroots groups, base building organizations, national NGOs, and relevant funders.
• Excellent facilitation skills, particularly in convening diverse groups and supporting coalitions to develop joint strategies and achieve collective goals.
• Good knowledge of U.S. climate and energy policy, specifically as related to fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure, public and private financing of fossil fuels, and climate change mitigation policies.
• Experience managing consultants, including articulating clear terms of reference with clear objectives, resulting in successful completion of deliverables within allocated budgets and timelines. 
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in social justice; Sensitivity to issues of privilege, including class, gender and race, and dedication to incorporating principles of justice into organizational and coalition work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, working knowledge of additional language(s) a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of Oil Change International, social and environmental justice, a passion for advocacy and campaigning, and a collaborative, team-oriented work style.

Working Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

• Standard office environment / Remote

Travel: 3 to 4 weeks of domestic travel should be expected each year, more may be requested. 

Salary: The salary for this position is ~$100,000 commensurate with experience, plus benefits.