Senior Advocate

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions. Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, London, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.). Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. The Senior Advocate, Adaptation will drive innovative solutions that enhance climate resilience across key themes that affect the safety and wellbeing of people and communities. This includes a focus on comprehensive risk management with a particular emphasis on insurance in the residential sector. The Senior Advocate, Adaptation will collaborate in efforts to promote comprehensive risk management at the state and local levels to address the looming homeowner insurance crisis precipitated by the growing frequency and severity of climate-influenced disasters. In this role, you will work at the intersection of policy, research, and on-the-ground implementation to shape and execute strategies that improve the long-term resilience of communities and states. Reporting to the Senior Director of Adaptation, the Senior Advocate, Adaptation will work along with other staff in NRDC’s Adaptation Division and related departments across NRDC. The Senior Advocate, Adaptation will apply their expertise to support other themes in Adaptation, including disaster resilience, climate mobility and climate resilient workers, communities and homes. The position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).

Requirements

Master’s degree in Climate Policy, Environmental Science, Economics, Geography, Public Policy, or a related field
Knowledge of the inner workings of the homeowner insurance industry and regulatory environment
Experience with intersection of insurance mechanisms and comprehensive risk management to holistically address risks of climate change
Knowledge of funding mechanisms for adaptation, including blended finance and public-private partnerships
Experience working in and/or partnering with governments, private sector, and community organizations on adaptation initiatives
Excellent communication and stakeholder and community engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex adaptation concepts into actionable strategies
Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, writing/editing, and interpersonal skills
A demonstrated understanding of the disproportionate burden of climate impacts on historically and currently marginalized communities and the root causes of climate vulnerabilities
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and NRDC’s mission

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategies that integrate climate risk considerations into insurance and financial products for homeowners
Work with governments, private sector and financial institutions to design and promote innovative risk reduction and risk transfer mechanisms related to homeowner insurance
Collaborate with state and local governments, community organizations and related stakeholders to enhance adaptive capacity and strengthen policies and incentives for climate adaptation using homeowner insurance as an entry point
Identify needed changes to homeowner insurance and resilience policy and practices and develop advocacy initiatives that result in their adoption and implementation.
Support strategies for disaster resilience, climate mobility and climate resilient workers, communities and homes
Contribute to global and national dialogues on adaptation, advocating for inclusive and holistic approaches and represent NRDC in media interviews
Lead the development of presentations, reports, and research materials tailored to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, policymakers and community organizations