(100% FTE, preferably located in a global financial center)

The Sunrise Project is looking for an experienced, passionate and creative finance campaigner to join our team to mobilize international actors to support East Asia’s transition out of fossil fuels. The position will work closely with East Asian partners and will complement their work by mobilizing pressure from outside East Asia.

About us

The Sunrise Project is a small organization with an oversized impact. Driven by a passion to solve the climate crisis, we are a team of experienced campaigners, analysts and communication professionals with a mission to scale social movements to drive the transition beyond fossil fuels. With programs in the US, Europe and Australia, we’re focused on stopping major new fossil fuel projects, shifting the global finance sector out of fossil fuels, and accelerating the transition to 100% renewable energy in Australia.

Through our grants program we provide partner groups with the capacity they need, while our staff team provides strategy, analysis and networking support for partners to work together for greater impact. For more information about how we work, see https://sunriseproject.org.au/.

Our Finance Program aims to drive a rapid shift of capital out of fossil fuels in order to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Working in close partnership with a network of NGOs around the world, we play an important role in the campaigns to encourage insurance companies, investors, central banks and other actors to exit the coal and other fossil fuel sectors.

About you

 First and foremost, you’re deeply passionate about solving the climate crisis. You’re an experienced campaigner and have a track record of designing and implementing high impact campaigns that win real world outcomes. You’ve got your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground with a knack for developing and articulating big picture strategies while also being able to turn ideas into action. You understand power, who has it, how to build and wield it, and how it operates in the finance sector in relation to climate change. You have a strong understanding of the political cultures of East Asian countries. You’re a generalist with an ability to quickly understand and stay across a wide range of complex issues, while also building deep technical knowledge when you need to. If you’re a lone wolf, this role isn’t for you. The way we work is collaborative so you need to a great team player with strong facilitation skills and the ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of different players – from grassroots climate activists to corporate leaders and financial analysts.

The Role

Responsibilities

Working from outside the region this role will cooperate closely with partner groups in East Asia, particularly in Japan and Korea. It will be responsible for co-developing and implementing strategies to drive large scale shifts among East Asian financial institutions. The main responsibilities include:

•  Support partners particularly in East Asian countries in their research, strategy development, media work and engagement with East Asian financial institutions;

• Cooperate and coordinate with regional NGO networks such as No Coal Japan and the Asia Energy Network;

• Mobilize international shareholders, providers of ESG indices, sustainability funds, rating agencies and other actors to pressure East Asian insurers and other financial institutions to shift away from coal and other fossil fuels;

• Working with partner groups, mobilize international pressure to keep East Asian insurers and other financial institutions out of specific fossil fuel projects;

• Conduct analysis; write briefing papers and public communication materials;

• Mobilize campaigns targeting the public brands of East Asian fossil fuel insurers, financiers and investors e.g. in the context of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021;

• Expose East Asian insurers and other financial institutions which are still involved in the coal and other fossil fuel sectors as laggards at international events.

Specific skills/experience needed

• Experience in organizing corporate or finance sector campaigns with a demonstrated track record of implementing strategies that bring about real change in the world;

• Deep understanding of the drivers of financial markets and the fossil fuel industry;

• Proven ability to develop and articulate strategies to drive change in complex systems;

• Good understanding of the political culture of East Asian countries;

• Excellent facilitation and convening skills;

• Proven ability to work well in small teams in a fast paced environment;

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;

• High level of initiative and the ability to solve problems;

• Demonstrated commitment to climate justice;

• Working knowledge of at least one East Asian language strongly desired.

Employment conditions

• This is preferably a full-time position although 0.8FTE would be considered. Working hours are flexible.

• The location is flexible. Since this position will mobilize international actors, we have a preference for one of the world’s major financial centers. Successful candidates must have the right to work from their locations.

• We offer a generous salary and benefits.

• Some international travel is required as well as out of hours meetings across international time zones.