Senior Officer, Environment Program Planning, Strategy

Washington, DC (901 E)

Senior Officer, Program Planning, Strategy

The Strategy Portfolio within Program

Pew’s program unit consolidates all of the organization’s programmatic activities into one department. Program organizes its work into four portfolios: Environment; Government Performance; Philadelphia and Science Advancement; and Strategy. The goal of the strategy portfolio within Program is to inform critical institutional decisions about Pew’s programs, strengthen the design and implementation of Pew’s work, and generate knowledge that advances Pew’s program objectives. We pursue this goal by (1) enhancing the organization’s efforts to generate ideas for new initiatives and larger bodies of work; (2) applying a wide range of planning approaches to help programs turn ideas into effective action; (3) using evaluation to improve program performance, inform decision-making, and support learning; (4) working with teams across the institution to help ensure Pew’s research meets the organization’s expressed standards for quality; (5) ensuring that staff has access to information that meets their needs to design, implement, and manage high-performing strategies, initiatives, and campaigns; and (6) collaborating with colleagues in preparing a wide range of planning and other types of documents for consideration by Pew’s board of directors.

Planning

Pew’s planning unit, within strategy, works in partnership with program leadership and staff to identify, develop, and refine high-profile initiatives in line with institutional and programmatic needs and priorities, and to coach and support program teams to strengthen their planning and implementation practices. Specifically, in partnership with and support of program leadership, the unit identifies and explores new public policy and research issues in which Pew might play a role; helps develop and improve program designs, strategies, and initiatives to address these issues; and reviews, informs, and strengthens existing strategies and initiatives to meet new or revised objectives.

Position Overview

Using excellent interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills the senior officer delivers planning support to Pew’s environmental work, which currently is comprised of about 15 environmentally-oriented projects and partnerships focused on safeguarding terrestrial and freshwater habitat throughout the world, conserving global marine resources, and addressing key ecosystem threats. The senior officer will assist the project director in carrying out the team’s duties, including providing high-quality consultative guidance with emphasis on ensuring program strategies and plans are rigorous, clear, and innovative. To answer questions that arise as part of planning engagements, the senior officer will take the lead on certain research and analysis activities. The senior officer also will support portfolio teams in developing Annual Reports, which track progress against program objectives, and gleaning insights and lessons learned from annual progress.

The senior officer reports to the project director, planning – environment and annual planning, is based in Pew’s Washington, DC, office and is eligible for up to 60% telework consistent with Pew guidelines. Candidates must be presently legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without the need of visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the Strategy portfolio’s related goals.
• Support the project director and collaborate with the Environment portfolio and other program teams as needed through an array of planning activities including: 1) identifying and exploring new ideas for possible program development; 2) conducting in-depth topic research in both prospective and current program areas to address knowledge gaps and inform decision-making; 3) supporting development and use of planning tools and frameworks, such as theory of change diagrams, logic models, problem statements; and 4) identifying approaches that could contribute to potential solutions, including technical assistance, policy development, and advocacy. Develop and periodically update work plans, timelines, and scope of work documents that summarize the planning engagements.
• Facilitate project team discussion and problem-solving and assist in solutions-oriented decision-making.
• Pose questions to identify and test underlying assumptions in project design components and provide impartial guidance in line with Pew standards to strengthen the team’s approach.
• Undertake a rigorous vetting process to determine the technical, economic, political, and social viability of project design solutions and provide recommendations on the potential role for Pew.
• Assist in translating planning analyses into proposals, including documents intended for Pew’s board, by providing guidance on the appropriate content and level of detail, and sharing substantive feedback on drafts.
• Connect the dots across project, portfolio, and program areas to improve organizational coordination, information sharing, and impact.
• Support the annual planning discipline including tracking results and supporting course-correcting when necessary; manage deadlines; and provide, update, and answer questions on guidance to create meaningful progress updates on objectives and milestones that meet Pew’s criteria and address programmatic goals.
• Serve as a mentor to, support apprenticeship of, and contribute to professional development of other staff on the planning team in a matrixed team style.
• Lead and participate in activities that support Strategy and Pew-wide objectives.
• Communicate clearly, efficiently, succinctly and persuasively to a range of stakeholders.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships internally and externally.
• Leverage technology and continuously upskill in the use of digital tools, including Microsoft 365, Microsoft Co-pilot, Tableau and other tools to efficiently and effectively manage workflow and impact.
• Develop and manage contracts as necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Advanced degree in public policy, public administration or management, law, strategic planning, or other fields relevant to formulation of programs and initiatives in the social and environmental sectors, or equivalent years of experience, preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more fields of environmental policy, such as protection of biodiversity in the ocean, land and freshwater; sustainable management; conservation finance; climate change response; and other topics related to current Pew work. Demonstrated experience managing and delivering tangible results from complex projects, including significant experience working in interdisciplinary teams.
• Generally requires a minimum of 10 years of experience.
• Professional experience demonstrating leadership and designing, launching, and implementing strategies or projects aimed at informing and advancing effective policy and programs at the local, state, national, or international levels required.
• Knowledge of current social, political, and economic trends, leading thinkers, and major concerns within public policy and society relevant to policy issues in the major geographies and policy fora in which Pew works, including the United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, and South America.
• Knowledge of the types of activities and deliverables associated with the approaches most commonly used in Pew programs, including policy advocacy, technical assistance, research, and partnerships.
• Proven project management skills and knowledge of project management methods.
• Effective research and analytical skills, proficient in organizing diverse and complex information into a clear and coherent narrative.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including to present, write clearly and effectively, convince and persuade, and listen carefully.
• Excellent facilitation skills including skill in quickly synthesizing and framing key themes during meeting discussions and to drive project teams to solutions-oriented decisions.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; works productively with a wide array of stakeholders and perspectives and approach issues with a nonpartisan, objective mindset.

Key attributes and preferred experience

• Consulting experience preferred.
• Strategic and creative thinker who effectively juggles multiple priorities, adjusts to changing circumstances, organizes time efficiently, uses data to inform decisions and recommendations, and identifies resources for projects.
• Resourcefulness in identifying and gathering relevant information and data, including interviewing high-level experts.

Travel

Limited, occasional domestic and international travel, including business meetings and conferences, on a highly flexible schedule.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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