About ICLEI

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is the first and largest global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments devoted to solving the world’s most intractable sustainability challenges. The worldwide network is active in 125+ countries, focused on influencing sustainability policies and driving local action across five key pathways: low emissions, resilient, equitable, people-centered, nature-based, and circular development.

As the USA Office of the global ICLEI network, ICLEI USA is separately incorporated. We develop and deliver leading-edge tools and resources, including our state-of-the-art emissions-management tool, ClearPath2.0 platform, to support local governments in their climate change efforts. Our standards, tools, and programs credibly, transparently, and robustly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve lives and livelihoods and protect natural resources in the U.S. communities we serve. ICLEI USA and our network partners are working to keep 1.5 ℃ alive through a data-driven approach and focus on just and equitable communities.

About Our Members

Local government members (cities, counties, towns, regions and Tribes) are the core of our organization. This network of government professionals are the catalysts for a movement toward deep reductions in carbon pollution and tangible improvements in sustainability, resilience and equity. For over 30 years, ICLEI USA has partnered with our members to reduce emissions and become healthier, stronger, and more prepared.

About the Municipal Investment Fund (MIF)

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA is partnering with the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) to provide grants for market-building activities and technical support to help communities — Local governments, Tribes, and their partner not-for-profit organizations. The goal of this grant program is to develop public-private partnership plans that can accelerate the deployment of capital to clean energy projects. Selected communities will receive grant funding and expert guidance to create supportive policy environments, build partnerships, and create project pipelines for clean energy development.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director for Investment, the Senior Program Officer will work as part of a small and dynamic team in close coordination with our partners at the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) to award and manage the inaugural cohort of Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) grantees. This broad and challenging set of responsibilities is best suited for an individual who has demonstrated abilities to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment, and who has a keen ability to “think on their feet” with quick decision-making aptitude.

The Senior Program officer will assist in developing and implementing all elements of the MIF grant program, and will be actively engaged in supporting our grantees. This role will involve expanding ICLEI USA’s grant management capabilities, establishing internal procedures including reimbursements and reporting, and managing grantee relationships. The Senior Program Officer will play an important role in delivering technical assistance to our grantees – developing technical guidance documents, trainings, relationships with subject matter experts, and providing 1:1 support – for local governments, nonprofits, and green banks on advancing development finance policies, partnerships, and capacity building for distributed power generation and storage, net zero emission transportation, and net zero emission buildings projects.

This position has a 1-year term with a potential for extension, depending on funding availability and the employee’s performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the overall execution and delivery of the MIF program, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and programmatic goals.
• Manage multiple work streams including program design, stakeholder communications, federal reporting milestones, and public relations
• Work closely with local governments, sustainability and economic development focused nonprofits, and financial institutions to identify municipal climate finance needs and support program implementation.
• Maintain accurate program documentation, including grantee agreements, reports, and communications.
• Develop a technical assistance curriculum to local governments for scoping, developing, and structuring net zero emissions projects to be "investment-ready," with a focus on public-private partnerships. This includes webinars and tailored technical assistance focused on policy design, feasibility studies, financial modeling, risk assessment, and developing compelling investment proposals.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing among participating local governments.
• Draft clear summaries, memos, outreach materials, and reports for diverse audiences. With support of our communications team, develop strategic communications initiatives including case studies, press releases, and op-eds showcasing program successes.
• Demonstrate excellent attention to detail and comfort with data entry, monitoring frameworks, and tracking project milestones in Salesforce.
• Explore and pursue opportunities for philanthropic support to expand MIF program capacity and offerings.
• Represent ICLEI USA and the MIF program at conferences, workshops, and other relevant events.
• Organize meetings, webinars, or training sessions—including scheduling, logistics, note taking, and follow-up.
• Collaborate closely with other ICLEI USA program teams, demonstrating a proactive approach to solving problems, improving systems, and supporting team-wide success.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field such as finance, economics, public policy, urban planning, environmental studies, or a related discipline.
• Experience:

• 5+ years (or 3+ years with a masters degree) of experience in sustainable development, project finance, public finance, urban planning, impact investing, or a related field.
• Experience working with or for local governments on sustainability, infrastructure, public finance, or community development projects is required.
• Experience in grantmaking, including understanding of grant cycles, reporting, funder and grantee relationships.
• Experience with federal grants as either a grantee or grantmaker.
• Experience in developing and managing program budgets.
• Familiarity with project finance such as developing or working with financial models, business cases, or investment proposals.
• Proven track record of successful stakeholder engagement and partnership development.
• Excellent attention to detail and comfort with data entry, monitoring frameworks, and tracking project milestones in Salesforce.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, including managing multiple work streams, utilizing project management tools.
• Experience with organizing and facilitating meetings, webinars, or training sessions—including scheduling, logistics, note taking, and follow-up.

• Skills:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for coordinating grantee activities, tracking deliverables, and maintaining accurate program documentation.
• Familiarity with clean energy policy, project finance structures, and/or municipal funding mechanisms. Strong understanding of public and private financing mechanisms, particularly for municipal projects.
• Familiarity with climate change and urban sustainability policy, including green financing.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear summaries, memos, outreach materials, and reports for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Including eagerness to support grantees in this field.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Google Office Suite (including Google Drive, Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Sheets).
• Proficiency with Slack and online project management tools.

• Attributes:

• Positive attitude and willingness to jump in wherever needed.
• Ability to constantly adjust and thrive in a fast-paced work environment, with many dynamic external factors that affect our work on a daily basis.
• Proactive, organized, and results-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and workstreams.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to solving problems, improving systems, and supporting team-wide success.
• Highly responsible, reliable, and trustworthy.
• Enthusiasm for supporting public-private investment in sustainable infrastructure.
• Passion for ICLEI's mission and commitment to advancing equitable climate action and sustainable development.

Benefits:

This position is fully virtual and requires connecting with team members and external partners often throughout each day via video conference, with occasional travel. This position is open to US residents. The salary range for this position is $72,000 - $95,000 depending on the applicant’s experience and location. We offer a generous benefits package and the opportunity to support climate action in hundreds of communities across the country. This position offers opportunities for growth, professional networking and learning.