Senior Climate Security Researcher

Senior Climate Security Researcher, U.S. Department of State's (DOS) Bureau of Political-Military Affairs' Office of Security Assistance (PM/SA), Research of U.S. Government Climate Security Goals through Security Assistance, Washington, DC

Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Proposal Objective: 

SI is bidding on a 6-month U.S. DOS-funded project to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how changing climate conditions can influence the missions of military forces, identify strategies to effectively utilize security assistance resources in addressing climate-related changes that impact peace and security, and explore the capabilities that U.S. defense and commercial industries can offer to foreign partners for adaptation.

This effort should be based on the following research focus areas:

• Collecting and reviewing relevant research, reports, and literature on the influence of changing climate on non-U.S. military missions, the effective utilization of security assistance resources, and capabilities offered by the U.S. defense and commercial industry for climate adaptation.
• Research and analysis of climate-related impacts on military missions, considering historical and current climate data, vulnerabilities, and risks.
• Research and analysis of the capabilities and technologies offered by the U.S. defense and commercial industry for foreign partners' adaptation, identifying areas of collaboration and technology transfer.

The primary audience of this effort is the Office of Security Assistance, in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, at the Department of State. 

Position Description: 

SI is seeking a Senior Climate Security Researcher consultant, who is a senior-level expert in conducting research and analysis in the U.S. climate security and climate mitigation, and U.S. security assistance programming. The Senior Researcher must have substantial experience in research design and methods, and prior experience leading research programs in the U.S. security assistance, security cooperation, foreign military, and/or U.S. climate security/climate military.

This position is a consultancy, and work would be conducted at SI and in the Washington, DC metro area. If the proposal is successful, the project is expected to begin summer 2024. The Senior Researcher must possess Secret-level security clearance prior to the contract performance.

**Please note: U.S. citizenship is required. Given the place of performance and security clearance need, priority will be given to applicants based in the Washington, DC area, and will prioritize applicants with active security clearances.**

Responsibilities: 

• Design and conduct the research and analysis tasks, including the design and methods for the project.
• Present and convey research and analysis to senior U.S. government officials.
• Provide guidance on U.S. security assistance, climate security, and related areas.

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in social sciences.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in designing or conducting research and analytic programs in support of policy decision-making.
• Active secret security clearance or ability to obtain one before onboarding.
• Demonstrated research, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience conveying research and analysis for senior U.S. government leadership.  
• Demonstrated fluency of English speaking and writing, including experience summarizing complex technical and programmatic issues in a concise matter for the U.S. government, to include policy makers, to understand briefings and papers as well as action recommendations.
• Experience working on U.S. security assistance and security cooperation in support of foreign partners; foreign military responsibilities, roles and responsibilities; climate security and climate mitigation; and the U.S. defense and climate industrial base are preferred.