Youth Climate Justice Fund is hiring!

The Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) is hiring a Development Associate!

Job Title: Development Associate
Location: Remote (preferably based in a Global Majority Country, between PST to GMT time zones)
Reporting to: Senior Officer for Development
Annual Salary: $40,000 USD

Contract Type: One-year consultancy contract, renewable subject to funding and performance
Working Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Candidate Level: Junior
Closing Date: Monday, 16 March 2024, 9:00 am CET

If you’re passionate about climate justice and want to support youth-led movements globally, this is your chance!

About the Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF)

The Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) is a pioneering initiative established to support youth-led socio-environmental and climate justice movements worldwide.

Launched publicly in September 2023, YCJF champions participatory grantmaking and capacity-building efforts to foster trust and bridge gaps between funders and young leaders. Led by a diverse global team of young professionals, YCJF currently supports a community of 120 grantee partners across more than 50 countries worldwide.

YCJF’s mission is centered on empowering youth-led climate justice initiatives, amplifying their voices, and ensuring equitable access to financial resources. The fund operates on principles of transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven development, with a firm commitment to social and environmental justice.

Purpose of the Role

The Development Associate plays a vital role in supporting YCJF’s fundraising and donor engagement activities. This position provides an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about climate justice, youth empowerment, and equitable resource mobilization.

The core responsibilities include researching prospective funders, drafting grant proposals and reports, managing development systems, and supporting donor relations.

This role is ideal for individuals early in their careers in philanthropy, development, or nonprofit work who are eager to build skills in grant writing, research, and fundraising within a global, youth-led climate justice context.

The Development Associate will work closely with the Senior Officer for Development and will collaborate with teams across Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), Communications, Operations, and Finance to ensure the sustainability and growth of YCJF.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Reporting and Management

Draft Grant Proposals and Reports: Prepare compelling grant proposals, concept notes, and donor reports under the guidance of the Senior Officer for Development. Ensure narratives align with donor requirements and organizational goals.
Financial Reporting: Assist in basic financial reporting, including grant budget tracking and ensuring compliance with donor stipulations.
Document Management: Maintain organized records of all grant-related documentation, including submission deadlines, reports, and correspondence.

Pipeline Development and Research

Fundraising Research: Conduct targeted research to identify potential funders aligned with YCJF’s mission, including foundations, government agencies, and other donors.
Funder Briefs: Prepare summaries of prospective funders, highlighting their giving history, priorities, and engagement strategies.
Pipeline Management: Maintain and update prospect trackers and fundraising pipelines to support strategic outreach.

Systems and Donor Tracking

Database Management: Organize and maintain development folders across shared systems such as Monday.com, Google Drive, and Box.
Donor Records: Coordinate and log donor interactions, ensuring accurate and timely data entry for ongoing engagement.
Communication Logs: Support the maintenance of donor communication histories and follow-up schedules to foster strong relationships.

Event and Engagement Support

Support Engagements: Assist in coordinating donor meetings, virtual or in-person convenings, and fundraising events.
Preparation and Follow-up: Prepare background materials, agendas, and notes for meetings, and track outcomes and next steps.
Follow-up Coordination: Ensure timely follow-up with supporters post-engagement to cultivate ongoing relationships.

Candidate Profile

YCJF is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. While the ideal candidate profile includes specific qualifications, the organization welcomes applications from candidates with a broad range of experiences, especially from underrepresented groups.

Essential Qualifications

Experience: 1-3 years in nonprofit development, grant writing, research, or related fields.
Communication Skills: Exceptional written communication skills in English, with clarity, authenticity, and professionalism.
Research and Organizational Skills: Strong ability to conduct targeted research, organize information, and manage multiple priorities.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive) and comfort with learning new systems.
Attention to Detail: Ability to manage deadlines meticulously and produce high-quality work.

Cultural Competence: Ability to work effectively across diverse cultures and time zones in a remote environment.
Values: Deep commitment to climate justice, youth leadership, and equity-centered work.

Desirable Qualifications

Familiarity with project management tools such as Monday.com.
Lived experience or strong connection to frontline communities.
Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in multiple languages (beyond English) is a plus.

Why Join Youth Climate Justice Fund is hiring?

At YCJF, the successful candidate will become part of a values-driven, global, and fully remote team committed to social justice and climate action. The organization fosters a culture of mutual support, humility, transparency, and continuous learning. Staff members work at the speed of trust and prioritize wellbeing, creativity, and shared leadership.

YCJF’s team reflects the communities they serve, with 90% from the Global South, a majority identifying as women or gender-diverse, and a significant representation of Indigenous peoples and people with disabilities. The organization’s ecosystem is rooted in intersectional justice, lived experience, and meaningful representation, creating a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

Employees enjoy competitive compensation aligned with global parity, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities to shape and influence an emerging organization dedicated to youth-led climate justice.

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How to Apply

Candidates interested in this exciting opportunity are encouraged to submit their CV and a cover letter outlining their motivation and how they meet the role’s requirements. Applications should be submitted through the official application portal here:

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Application Deadline: Monday, 16 March 2024, 9:00 am CET.

For questions regarding the position or YCJF, please contact McAra Kirby-Fahey at mcara@upsallinternational.com.

Youth Climate Justice Fund is hiring: Development Associate (Remote, Global)

Job Description