Sequoia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or legally protected status. We strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and diversity is celebrated.
Program Officer, Oil & Gas/Flexible Support
Location: Irvine, CA
Type: Hybrid Role (In-person 3 days per week and remote 2 days per week)
Status: Full Time
Compensation: $130,000 – $137,000 a year
Position: Program Officer, Oil & Gas/Flexible Support
ABOUT SEQUOIA CLIMATE FOUNDATION
Sequoia Climate Foundation is a climate philanthropy that believes in a world powered by clean energy, where all people are protected by policies that have averted the worst effects of climate change. We support bold strategies and efforts that will have both near-term impact and the greatest probability of long-term success. We believe that solving climate change requires the adoption of ambitious, evidence-based policy solutions that transform markets, advance clean technology, and lead to large‐scale change.
JOB SUMMARY
The Program Officer works with one or more Sequoia Senior Program Managers and Program Directors to develop and execute strategies aligned with the organizational mission and vision; with specific focus to advance climate and energy goals by reducing oil and gas use, accelerating investment in renewable energy, and promoting pathways to a decarbonized future. This includes compiling the research and evidence necessary to assess potential impact and success, identifying the organizations best positioned to execute them, and actively engaging with grantees to ensure alignment and robust execution. The Program Officer role partners with program leadership on key initiatives to make a global impact and engages with peer networks, government officials, thought leaders, and stakeholders to assess emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities.
In addition, 50% of the Program Officer’s capacity is dedicated to providing flexible support across program teams, offering additional coverage and assistance where needed to ensure continuity and impact.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & KEY OUTCOMES
Oil & Gas – 50%
- Support Sequoia’s efforts to determine strategic priorities and set operational plans by conducting research and analysis on specific programs and climate sector trends.
- Monitor developments in the field to identify emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities for driving ambitious climate action.
- Engage peer networks, funders, government officials, and other stakeholders to help develop strategies and identify organizations best positioned to execute those strategies.
- Present strategic analysis results verbally and in writing through memos, background papers, presentations, graphs, and charts both internally and externally.
- Support all aspects of strategy execution and grantmaking, including initial screening of potential grantees, analyzing background information, developing funding proposals, and preparing grant recommendations.
- Serve as the point of contact for select grantees to steward relationships, conduct site visits as needed, and monitor impact of grants.
- Support the forecasting of grant payments and serve as a compliance checkpoint to ensure grantmaking stays within yearly budgets.
- Maintain grants database, budget spreadsheets, and grant calendars, and coordinate grant processes for the team.
- Assist with program and goals development, tracking, and keeping the leadership team apprised of critical internal deadlines and external developments.
- Assist team with planning and coordinating meetings, travel, workshops, and convenings; manage consultant contracts and logistical arrangements.
- Support the maintenance of annual administrative budgets for programmatic expenses.
- Handle simultaneous deadlines and complete assignments.
Flexible Support – 50%
Provide flexible support across program teams, including coverage for staffing gaps, additional workload, or emerging priorities.
Perform other duties as required.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS
- Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred.
- A minimum of five years of professional experience working in the climate or energy sector (public or private), climate change, or a related field.
- Understanding of global climate and energy organization eco-systems preferred.
- Strong quantitative skills preferred.
- Experience working in government, non-profit, advocacy, or for a philanthropic organization is preferred.
COMPETENCIES
- Development: Enhancing skills, knowledge, and capabilities to excel in one’s current role and prepare for future opportunities.
- Collaboration: Works cooperatively and effectively with others (internally and externally), sharing information and building relationships to achieve goals. Prioritizing creating and maintaining a trustworthy, transparent, and psychologically safe environment.
- Innovation: Embracing ambitious goals to foster a culture that supports bold ideas, continuous improvement, and visionary practices.\
- Adaptability: Remaining flexible and effective in response to changing circumstances, priorities, or environments. Willingness to be nimble as we navigate complexity.
- Conflict Management: Actively addressing and resolving conflicts in a constructive manner to make decisions that are thoughtful and inclusive, consider the input of relevant stakeholders and align with the Sequoia’s goals and values.
- Risk Management: Systematically identifies, assesses, and addresses potential risks to minimize their impact.
- Productivity: Maximizing efficiency and effectiveness to achieve optimal performance and output.
WORKING CONDITIONS
This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 15 lbs. Requires the ability to periodically travel locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Featured benefits
Medical insurance, Vision insurance, Dental insurance, Paid maternity leave, Paid paternity leave, Student loan assistance, Tuition assistance, Disability insurance
Requirements added by the job poster
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Commute to this job’s location
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Working in a hybrid setting.
Please visit this job posting to apply for the role: Apply to Sequoia Climate Foundation.
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please reach out to the HR Team at [email protected].
Sequoia Climate Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
Program Manager, Climate Finance
Location: London, UK (Hybrid) or Irvine, CA (Hybrid)
Type: Hybrid
Status: Full Time
Position: Program Manager, Climate Finance
About the job
**** Preferred location is London, UK. Irvine, CA is also an option.****
Applicants interested in working out of London, UK should apply using the alternative posting: Program Manager: London UK ****
Applicants interested in working in Irvine, CA must apply using this posting.
ABOUT SEQUOIA CLIMATE FOUNDATION
Sequoia Climate Foundation is a climate philanthropy that believes in a world powered by clean energy, where all people are protected by policies that have averted the worst effects of climate change. We support bold strategies and efforts that will have both near-term impact and the greatest probability of long-term success. We believe that solving climate change requires the adoption of ambitious, evidence-based policy solutions that transform markets, advance clean technology, and lead to large‐scale change.
JOB SUMMARY
The Program Manager develops cutting-edge, evidence-based grantmaking plans designed to achieve transformational and lasting change in support of the Climate Finance directorate’s impact goals and the Europe Portfolio. Reporting to the Program Director of Climate Finance, the Program Manager works closely with others across that team and the Europe Directorate.
This role collaborates across Sequoia Climate Foundation to manage grantmaking portfolios, fostering open communication, direct engagement, and productive relationships both internally and with grantees. The Program Manager develops, supports, and executes strategies; compiles research and evidence to assess climate impact and likelihood of success; and identifies organizations best positioned to deliver results. Collaboration with peer networks, policy officials, business and thought leaders, and other stakeholders helps assess emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities in the field. The role also stewards the portfolio through strong grantee relationships and effective internal coordination.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & KEY OUTCOMES
- Support all aspects of strategy execution and strategic priorities, and set operational plans by conducting research and analysis on specific programs and climate sector trends.
- Work closely with internal Sequoia teams to bring grantmaking forward to approval level, developing and articulating theories of change, helping to estimate emissions reduction impacts and managing grantmaking processes that involve setting forward workstreams linked to real world outcomes.
- Support grantmaking portfolios, including initial screening of potential grantees, analyzing background information, soliciting, developing funding proposals, building and managing grantee relationships, advising on appropriate funding levels, preparing docket materials, monitoring and stewarding active grants, and preparing grant recommendations. Presents proposed grantees for funding to the Program Director.
- Engage peer networks, funders, policy officials, opinion-formers within the climate change and finance and trade sector-specific community, and other stakeholders to help develop strategies and identify organizations best positioned to execute those strategies.
- Identify appropriate partners and collaborations to advance grant-making strategies, including, as appropriate, active participation in collaboratives, conferences, and workshops.
- Monitor developments in the field to identify emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities for driving ambitious climate action.
- Support the forecasting of grant payments and serve as a compliance checkpoint to ensure grantmaking stays within yearly budgets. Supports the maintenance of annual administrative budgets for programmatic expenses.
- Work with the Evidence and Learning team to build and implement robust evidence and learning agenda in our grantmaking.
- Ensure adherence to internal grantmaking processes via appropriate documentation, grant budgeting, and reporting.
- Represent Sequoia Climate Foundation at conferences and meetings with NGOs, funders, experts, and consultants where appropriate, ensuring follow-up as needed.
- Support project and program management and handle simultaneous deadlines and assigned work.
- Works integrally with staff in accomplishing tasks, managing junior staff as needed.
- Performs other duties as required.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS
- A minimum of eight years of professional experience working in climate finance, the financial sector (public or private), climate change, climate diplomacy / international cooperation or a related field.
- Experience working in or with the European Union or a Member State country, with a track record collaborating with individuals and entities internationally.
- Background in economics/working as an economist, or in a capital allocation role requiring quantitative skills, strongly preferred.
- Experience working on trade policy, climate finance (i.e., relevant financial accounting and reporting), in the financial sector, in the public finance sector on climate finance, or for a non-profit or governmental organization in this field is strongly preferred.
- Strong communication skills: writing and verbal.
COMPETENCIES
- Development: Enhancing skills, knowledge, and capabilities to excel in one’s current role and prepare for future opportunities.
- Collaboration: Works cooperatively and effectively with others (internally and externally), sharing information and building relationships to achieve goals. Prioritizing creating and maintaining a trustworthy, transparent, and psychologically safe environment.
- Innovation: Embracing ambitious goals to foster a culture that supports bold ideas, continuous improvement, and visionary practices.
- Adaptability: Remaining flexible and effective in response to changing circumstances, priorities, or environments. Willingness to be nimble as we navigate complexity.
- Conflict Management: Actively addressing and resolving conflicts in a constructive manner to make decisions that are thoughtful and inclusive, consider the input of relevant stakeholders and align with the
- Sequoia’s goals and values.
- Risk Management: Systematically identifies, assesses, and addresses potential risks to minimize their impact.
- Productivity: Maximizing efficiency and effectiveness to achieve optimal performance and output.
WORKING CONDITIONS
This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 15 lbs. Requires the ability to periodically travel locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Featured benefits
Medical insurance, Vision insurance, Dental insurance, 401(k), Child care support, Paid maternity leave, Paid paternity leave, Student loan assistance, Tuition assistance, Disability insurance
Please visit this job posting to apply for the role: Apply to Sequoia Climate Foundation.
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please reach out to the HR Team at [email protected].
Sequoia Climate Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.