Staff Attorney, Fossil Economy

Staff Attorney, Fossil Economy

CIEL - Center for International Environmental Law

Geneva or Remote

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

Petrochemical production (ranging from plastics to agrochemicals, and their chemical precursors) has become the fossil fuel industry’s lifeline to buoy demand for its products and sustain its profits. Together with the program’s leadership and other relevant staff at CIEL, the Attorney will drive our work to confront the expansion of the petrochemicals sector and curtail the proliferation of false climate solutions that threaten to extend and deepen our fossil fuel dependence at a moment of converging planetary crises. With a primary focus on the US and Europe, this position will 1) research and develop internal understandings of various regulatory regimes – national (US and European) and international – governing or relevant to the fossil fuel, carbon capture and petrochemicals sectors; 2) develop and support high-impact strategies for legal and campaign approaches for engaging with such regulatory systems; and 3) lead on interventions such as permit challenges, administrative comments, or other administrative or legal filings.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Legal Strategy (60%)

• Develop and apply analyses of relevant regulatory frameworks (including environmental, financial, trade, etc.) to contribute to CIEL and movement strategies for confronting petrochemical pollution and false solutions;
• Draft legal documents for permit challenges, administrative proceedings, regulatory notice-and-comment periods, and other relevant processes;
• Represent CIEL in coalitions, public meetings, workshops, hearings, press, and other instances as assigned;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant partner organizations, and other actors/stakeholders to achieve CIEL’s project-related goals.

Coalitions and Advocacy (30%)

• Propose, draft, and edit reports, briefings, fact sheets, and other written materials as required to convey research and analysis to movement partners and media as appropriate;
• Maintain existing and build new relationships with coalition partners in plastics, climate, agriculture, and other movements;
• Balance long-term projects with rapid response research and analysis as necessary to respond to partner demands, press inquiries, and breaking news.

Administration (10%)

• Support fundraising efforts, such as contributing to proposals and reports, as relevant;
• Maintain timesheets and track receipts, and submit them on time;
• Meet periodically as requested with supervisor and other team members;
• Participate in weekly staff and team meetings and other organizational activities, including an annual staff performance evaluation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. or equivalent degree with 2 years of relevant experience in a legal role;
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, and in accordance with standards for legal submissions;
• Knowledge of US law and familiarity with EU legal systems, and the ability to quickly navigate new legal and regulatory frameworks, including in the US, Europe, and at UN or other international fora;
• Demonstrated ability to distill key messages from technical information and translate them to different audiences and on different platforms;
• Ability to oversee and deliver multiple priorities by target dates and perform a wide variety of tasks over the course of the workday;
• Ability to work both separately and collaboratively, in close coordination across teams;
• Comfort admitting what you don’t know and recognizing that seeking and receiving feedback is part of the learning process;
• Awareness of how your words and actions affect others, openness to and respect for others’ perspectives;
• Able to travel occasionally for periods of up to 2 weeks;
• Professional spoken and written proficiency in English.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of the fossil fuel and petrochemical sectors in the US and Europe;
• Experience with international, environmental, and/or human rights law or similar fields;
• While knowledge of US law is required, formal education in US law (e.g. JD or other degree) is preferred;
• Professional proficiency in a language used in relevant European geographies (including but not limited to French, Spanish, German, and Dutch).

A successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies

• Action-Oriented: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of curiosity, proactivity, and constructiveness;
• Nimble Learning: Approaches unfamiliar tasks proactively and with an open mind. Can quickly adapt to new situations and to draw on past successes and failures to solve current problems;
• Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective communication. Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for understanding, and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders;
• Collaborates: Brings people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. Creates synergy resulting in a combined effort with greater results than what can be achieved by individuals;
• Resourcefulness: Is able to make the best of limited resources and find a way to get things done even when the odds are against them. Can look beyond the obvious for viable approaches to accomplish the goal.