Manager, Equity in the Energy Transition Initiative – Resources for the Future

Location: Washington, DC

Overview: Resources for the Future (RFF) is seeking to hire a Research Initiative Manager to lead and conduct work in two related areas within RFF’s Equity in the Energy Transition (EET) Initiative.

First, the Manager will play a leading role in managing the activities of the Resilient Energy Economies (REE) initiative, a collaboration between RFF, Columbia University, the University of Notre Dame, and Montana State University that funds research and holds convenings across the United States. Managing the REE initiative includes overseeing an active portfolio of research grants to scholars across the United States and Canada, helping to arrange convenings of scholars, policymakers, and economic development practitioners around the United States, communicating with and expanding the REE community of practice, and helping to coordinate other initiative activities.

Second, the Manager will lead discrete research and project management activities related to specific research projects within EET. The EET initiative carries out research and policy engagement to inform policymakers seeking to design an equitable transition to a net-zero emissions energy system. Research activities include gathering data and conducting analysis to understand how fossil fuel-dependent communities can develop more resilient economies, as well as how low-emissions energy technologies affect host communities—for better and for worse. Policy engagement includes working with academics, policymakers, and other stakeholders from industry, NGOs, and elsewhere to share information and build a network of experts focused on delivering an equitable energy transition. Stakeholders have a range of perspectives on energy systems and policies, so the research associate needs to be comfortable working with people from a wide range of backgrounds with varying policy preferences.

Roles/Responsibilities:

• Lead in managing the activities of the Resilient Energy Economies initiative, including coordinating research grants, planning meetings at locations across the United States, and supporting other initiative activities such as fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
• Working with the EET initiative leader, lead the coordination of policy engagement activities and engage directly with policymakers and other stakeholders in Washington, DC and elsewhere.
• Confidently and independently manage project tasks (such as data gathering, analysis, and writing) across a variety of research activities.
• Help produce a range of media based on research activities, including journal articles, reports, blogs, webinars, and other formats.
• Participate in RFF institutional activities, including team meetings, staff presentations, and other activities.

Qualifications:

• Minimum education/work experience: A master’s degree in public policy, economics, political science, geography, or a related social science field AND 2+ years of related work experience; OR a bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of experience.
• Preferred education/work experience: A master’s degree in public policy, economics, political science, geography, or a related social science field AND 4+ years of related work experience; OR a bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of experience.
• Experience working on energy policy issues, ideally focused on issues related to coal, oil, and natural gas systems
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills.
• Outstanding organizational skills.
• Experience managing complex professional projects.
• A high degree of independence in carrying out designated management and research activities.
• Excellent data analysis skills, preferably including geospatial analysis.
• Ability to constructively engage with a wide range of stakeholders on energy policy issues, including those in academia, government, industry, and environmental nonprofits.
• Technical Requirements:
  • Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
  • Internal communications platforms like Teams, Zoom
  • R or another flexible programming language, preferably with experience using and analyzing geospatial data