About this opportunity
United Nations Foundation lists this Associate, Federal & External Affairs, U.S. Climate Alliance opportunity in washington, District of Columbia. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Associate, Federal & External Affairs, U.S. Climate Alliance
Job Category : Career Opportunities
Requisition Number : ASSOC
Posted : September 14, 2026
Full-Time
Hybrid
Locations
Showing 1 location
Washington, DC 20006, USA
Pay or shift range: $68,000 USD to $72,000 USD The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
Description
The salary range for this position is $68,000 to $72,000
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors sustaining America’s fight against climate change with bold, state-led action. The Alliance Secretariat helps its member states and territories accelerate climate action by providing a broad range of technical, analytical, policy, and capacity assistance and resources. It also coordinates engagement with the federal government and national partners to drive solutions across government in support of an ambitious, durable national climate framework. For more on the Alliance, visit
JOB SUMMARY
The Alliance seeks a highly-motivated Federal & External Affairs Associate to help governors’ offices advance their climate and clean energy priorities by supporting impactful federal engagement strategies and managing relationships with external partners. Key responsibilities include tracking federal policy developments at the executive and legislative levels; advising Alliance members and Secretariat staff on federal actions and opportunities for engagement; drafting and editing federal components of the Alliance’s weekly newsletter; managing relationships with partner organizations; supporting rollouts of coalition announcements to maximize positive impact; assisting with the facilitation of international exchanges; and maintaining relevant databases and distribution lists. The Associate reports to the Manager of Federal & External Affairs and works as part of a broader team that includes Alliance states, consultants, and external partners.
This position is based in Washington, DC and operates on a hybrid schedule.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Federal policy tracking and advising
Track and analyze federal policy developments with impacts to US emissions-reduction and resilience goals, including executive and regulatory actions by the federal government and congressional activities on Capitol Hill
Work with Secretariat policy leads, member states, and partner organizations to evaluate and prioritize opportunities to engage strategically on federal policy matters
Oversee and maintain federal policy trackers that are used by Alliance members and Secretariat staff to stay up-to-date on policy developments and opportunities for engagement
Provide verbal and written updates to Alliance members and Secretariat staff on federal policy developments, including through staff meetings, briefing memos, the Alliance’s weekly newsletter, and biweekly meetings with Governor-Office Representatives
Collaborate with Secretariat policy leads to develop written materials on federal policy matters, such as communications toolkits and comment letters
Draft and review federal activities as part of the Alliance’s annual work-planning process, partnering collaboratively with Secretariat staff to ensure alignment across teams and sectors
Act as a liaison to federal and congressional officials, as appropriate
External partner relations
Act as a liaison and primary point of contact for partner environmental organizations, cultivating cooperative relationships in support of Alliance states’ climate goals
Represent the Alliance in meetings and events with external partners and ensure that meeting notes and action items are appropriately documented, tracked, and acted upon
Support Secretariat policy leads in cultivating relationships and regularly communicating with partner organizations focused on their issue areas
Assist with agenda development, meeting facilitation, and follow-up from the Alliance’s monthly call with national advocacy groups
Develop and execute rollout plans for Alliance announcements, newsletters, press releases, updates, and events, with the aim of maximizing positive impact with relevant partners
Compile invitation lists for special events, working closely with Alliance leadership to create opportunities for networking and meaningful partner engagement
Draft talking points for Secretariat staff members who are speaking with external audiences to ensure we are speaking with one voice and telling the Alliance’s story most effectively
International exchanges
Assist with cultivating, planning for, and executing opportunities for Alliance states and staff to engage the global community
Support Alliance leadership in preparing for participation in major international forums, including the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP)
Develop invitation lists and coordinate participation by Alliance state officials in international events and convenings
Draft briefing memos, talking points, or other written materials as needed
Systems maintenance
Maintain systems essential to the Alliance’s federal and external affairs work, including federal policy trackers
Regularly update databases and distribution lists used by the Alliance to stay in contact with partners across the environmental community, including federal agencies, international governments, congressional offices, nonprofits, think tanks, and advocacy groups
Support for Alliance events, meetings, and products
Conduct research, create presentations, and draft written materials for Alliance members on an as-needed basis
Create materials to support the Alliance’s meetings, learning labs, and events, including by working with Alliance states, consulting outside experts, and conducting desk research
Contribute to Alliance products across other sectors and workstreams
Other duties as assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Federal and External Affairs Associate isnota supervisory role.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience required
2-3 years of experience working on climate and clean energy issues, with past experience working in or around state or federal government strongly preferred
Demonstrated strong research, analytical, writing, presentation, and briefing skills
Familiarity with U.S. climate and energy policy, with deep knowledge of federal and congressional policy landscape. Capitol Hill experience a major plus
Familiarity with tracking systems and databases (e.g., Microsoft Excel or Airtable) and project management platforms
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
Critical and strategic thinker who can synthesize complex information and identify opportunities for effective and timely intervention
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to tailor one’s style and content to meet a variety of circumstances, without requiring frequent direction
Aptitude for building consensus and bridging differences among groups of stakeholders with often divergent perspectives and priorities
As part of a small and busy team, key skills include:
Self-motivated with strong ability to find solutions in the face of challenges
Maximum flexibility in accepting and professionally executing a range of tasks
Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Ability to diplomatically engage diverse counterparts and use personal discretion in working with sensitive information
Ability to work under pressure and handle stress
Ability to work collaboratively across teams
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The essential functions of this role willgenerally beperformed in a typical professional office environment with routine use of standard office equipment. Employees are expected toeitherwork on-site in accordance withtheU.S. ClimateAlliance’shybrid work policy, which currently requires regular in-office presence,or may be approvedtowork remotelyelsewhere in the contiguous U.S., provided the employee maintains a dedicated workspace that supports confidentiality and productivity.Employeesapproved for remote workmust ensure limited background noise and environmental distractions to effectively perform essential job functions.
LOCATION
This position is based in Washington, DC (hybrid schedule). While consideration may be given for remote work in the contiguous United States, DC-based candidates are strongly preferred. TheU.S. ClimateAllianceis headquartered inWashington, DC and maintainsa hybrid work schedule.Employeesbased in the DC area areexpected to commute to the officeat leasttwo(2)days per week and may work from homethree(3)days per week.
DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS
TheUnited Nations Foundation/Better World Fund(UNF/BWF)will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
USCA CORE VALUES
The Secretariat’s core values represent our team’s highest priorities and driving forces. These values are the heart of how we go about doing our work in support of each other and our member governors and states, serving as cultural cornerstones and exemplified by all members of our team.
Purpose: We are aligned by a common purpose to confront the climate crisis and its impacts through the power of state government. We connect our daily work to the Alliance’s mission and, in pursuit of our shared goals, always act in the best interest of our governors and states
Excellence: We have high standards in the work we do to support Alliance governors and states. We are focused, data-driven, and attentive to the smallest of details while never losing sight of the big picture
Empathy: We value kindness and treat others with dignity and respect, recognizing that our actions affect one another and all those with whom we interact. We consider growth, learning, and development to be priorities
Inclusion: We actively work to increase diversity, advance equity, and cultivate a welcoming work environment where everyone feels valued. We are collaborators and prioritize teamwork — knowing that it will take our broader community all working together to ultimately solve the climate crisis
Balance: We value a positive work environment and, even in the hectic day-to-day, we make the time to build relationships, celebrate successes, and laugh. We know that balancing home and work lives is essential and encourage each other to put the health and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones first
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
employee assistance program
Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.
The United Nations Foundation/Better World Fund(UNF/BWF)is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Worksite address
washington, DC, 20022, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.