Analyst, Climate-Smart Agriculture

Overview

Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.

We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.

Our culture, values and commitment to diversity make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?

Responsibilities

Learn more about our team’s work on our Agriculture Finance resource hub!

Application Details

We'd like to request for individuals interested in this role to please submit a cover letter as well as 1-2 additional writing/work sample attachments with their applications - all provided application materials will be evaluated cumulatively when selecting our slates.

Job Location

This position can be performed 100% remotely or on a hybrid arrangement out of any other US-based EDF office location - candidates must currently reside in and be based out of the United States.

Travel Expectations

Limited travel; around 5-7 times per year, typically for 1-2 day events.

Program Overview

The People & Nature team is centered on the EDF vision that people and nature can thrive together in a climate impacted world and that working lands and natural ecosystems can be an important part of the climate solution. Healthy land, freshwater and ocean ecosystems are more resilient to climate change, are part of the climate solution, and provide healthy abundant food, improved livelihoods and cultural well-being for all communities. Further, we must work to ensure all people benefit more equitably as we implement climate solutions.

EDF’s Climate-Smart Agriculture initiative aims to put farmers at the center of climate adaptation and mitigation and embed principles of a just rural transition by focusing on solutions that work for farmers and are grounded in robust science and economics. We advance those solutions through policy, finance, supply chain, and other levers for change. "EDF's Climate-Smart Agriculture work is focused on four anchor geographies: China, India, EU and U.S. The tools that we apply differ in these regions, but we are a cohesive team of experts and professionals working across a matrixed organization to leverage the best solutions.

Overall Function

The Climate-Smart Agriculture initiative seeks a highly motivated, analytically rigorous Research Analyst to join its Finance and Markets team. The finance and markets team focuses on developing financial solutions and markets that support farmers and ranchers adopt climate-smart agriculture practices profitably.

The Research Analyst will be a key member of the team, conducting research and analysis on the financial impacts of climate-smart agriculture practices on farms and ranches. The Analyst will work on projects to gather financial data on climate-smart agriculture practices, conduct financial analysis and support in communicating the findings to farmers, ranchers, agricultural finance providers and other agriculture stakeholders. The Research Analyst will report to the Manager, Climate Smart Agriculture and will inform the team’s work to develop financial solutions for climate-smart agriculture with data and analysis insights. The position requires strong analytical, writing, project management and communication skills.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to Manager, Climate-Smart Agriculture

Key Responsibilities

• Develop methods for gathering farm financial data on climate-smart agriculture practices in collaboration with project partners and consultants; including integration of climate-smart agriculture practices into existing financial datasets and gathering data directly from producers.
• Conduct and support farm financial data analysis projects to identify the financial costs, benefits and risks associated with climate-smart agriculture practices; including conducting literature reviews of relevant studies, supporting consultants and partners analyze the financial performance of farms and ranches using climate-smart agriculture practices, informing financial benchmarking of these practices, and analyzing climate change impacts on farm financial performance.
• Write case studies and reports describing the results from financial analyses of climate-smart agriculture.
• Provide expertise on the financial impacts of climate-smart agriculture practices to support team projects and strategy development, by monitoring new studies, conducting desk research, and organizing existing study findings.
• Communicate insights from financial analysis projects to EDF partners and stakeholders through memos, presentations, and emails.
• Participate in and represent EDF at occasional in-person meetings, workshops and conferences.
• Manage project timelines, tasks, team coordination, and goals in collaboration with partners and your supervisor.
• Provide research support to other finance & markets projects as needed, including efforts to finance natural infrastructure in watersheds to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
• Participate in advancing EDF diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
• Organize and analyze information and identify and evaluate solutions from a range of alternatives.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with co‐workers and internal staff elsewhere at EDF.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in environmental science, economics, finance, policy, agriculture science or management, biology or ecology with at least three years of related experience, OR an advanced degree in environmental management, economics, public policy, or finance with at least one year of related experience.
• Knowledge of the basic principles, concepts and methods of economics and finance gained from formal education and experience to complete entry‐level professional assignments.
• Knowledge of agriculture systems and status and trends in U.S. agriculture.
• Financial and economic analysis skills, experience in performing rigorous analysis in support of highly visible work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience managing projects and workflows.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail; ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and prioritize assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and apply new concepts to strategic planning and recommendations.
• Willingness and ability to engage in travel.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated ability in creative problem-solving and managing complex projects involving contractors and multiple partners within the public, private and NGO sectors.

Pay Ranges

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

The pay range for this role is shown below.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

Minimum Salary

USD $57,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $65,000.00/Yr.

EEO Information

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.