Japan Climate Specialist (Full-Time position)  

Japan (Tokyo Metro or other major port city) 

Pacific Environment 

Pacific Environment seeks to serve communities and protect wildlife of the Pacific Rim. We support community leaders to fight climate change, protect the oceans, build just societies, and move away from fossil fuels toward a green economy. Learn more at www.pacificenvironment.org.  

Pacific Environment is working to end fossil fuel use, including to get ships off fossil fuels. Our strategies include creating strong regulatory frameworks to achieve zero-emission shipping in a timeline   commensurate with the climate emergency, inspiring corporate customers to demand zero-emission ships, and influencing ports and shipping stakeholders around the Pacific Rim and beyond to end fossil fuel build out and ready themselves for 100% zero-emission shipping instead.  

Position  

Pacific Environment is looking for a candidate based in Japan (Tokyo Metro or other major port city) with experience in government relations, renewable energy, shipping decarbonization, and climate policy to help us launch our climate program and campaigns in Japan. We are excited to pursue new opportunities to help Japan meet its climate goals and broaden Pacific Environment’s climate related work in Japan, including bringing expertise on green shipping, ports, and other freight policy expertise and supporting successful campaigns advocating for decarbonization.  

The ideal candidate has a successful record of program scoping, including power mapping, research, stakeholder engagement, strategy development along with campaign implementation.  While we seek a candidate with expertise based in Japan, we are a global organization and ideally our hire will have experience in other East Asian countries. English proficiency and Japanese fluency are required.   

The Japan Climate Specialist will work under the supervision of Pacific Environment’s Senior Director, Climate Campaign. They will be part of our climate campaign team working to end fossil fuel pollution from ships, accelerate production of 100% zero-emission maritime technologies and fuels, and advance environmental justice in frontline and fence-line communities.  

Location and Travel  

This position has a flexible work location within Japan, with a priority for Tokyo Metro or other major port city. Some travel within Japan, and potentially internationally, is expected.  

Responsibilities 

• Conduct program scoping activities in consultation and coordination with climate director and broader team, to launch Pacific Environment’s climate work in Japan, including power mapping, research, stakeholder analysis and engagement, and more.  
• Develop and implement localized strategies activities in consultation and coordination with climate director and broader team, to achieve 100% zero-emission shipping in Japan, which could include industry, policy, or port strategies. 
• Coordinate and plan program activities, timelines, etc. to ensure successful program launch and management.  
• Work closely with Pacific Environment’s global teams to ensure alignment in strategies. 
• Cultivate partnerships and coordinate closely with partner organizations in various coalitions – including government officials and policymakers, industry representatives, academic partners, and more – to broaden constituencies of support. 
• Directly advocate climate policy positions to port officials, national and sub-national policymakers, corporations, allies, and partners to advance shipping-specific policy changes. 
• Produce policy analyses, memos, and advocacy products as needed – both in-house and through the management of consultant and research budgets      
• Represent Pacific Environment with ports, policymakers, industry, the press, in coalitions with key allies, and in key policy forums.  
• Other tasks as assigned.  

Key Qualifications 

• At least 7 years of work experience in relevant field (NGO administration, government relations, advocacy, campaigns, research, corporate sustainability, climate, etc.). Direct experience in renewable energy, heavy industry, or shipping decarbonization is a plus.    
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in climate/energy issues and policies, including in shipping, ports, and/or other heavy industry sectors.  
• A record of accomplishment of achievement in managing and winning regional or international campaigns.  
• Experience and expertise in advocacy, listening, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with other staff, organizations, and diverse communities. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Experience as a public spokesperson and advocate; ability to analyze and articulate complex issues and communicate them to various audiences. A candidate that is adept in building relations with government, industry stakeholders and NGOs is a plus. 
• Ability to work independently and exceptional management skills, of both projects and team.   
• Skill and comfort in building relationships with diverse audiences, including with policymakers, coalition partners, community leaders, and members of the media.  
• Experience in energy or pollution analysis a plus.  
• Japanese fluency and excellent Japanese writing skills. 
• Japanese cultural fluency, awareness and familiarity with Japanese business practices, language proficiency, and an understanding of how climate issues are perceived in Japan are crucial. 
• English proficiency (ability to conduct everyday organizational business in English). 
• Advanced degrees are a plus (tell us about yours). 
• Passion for solving climate crisis. 

Physical Requirements 

The Japan Climate Specialist work involves remaining in a stationary position and looking at a computer for long stretches of time, communicating with co-workers electronically, and occasional travel (including overnight travel), in-person meetings, or events. The ideal candidate must be able to complete all the physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in this hiring process, please contact: [email protected].  

Compensation 

Pacific Environment provides compensation commensurate with experience and equitable with others on our team, plus a full benefits package for staff positions. The salary for this position is carefully considered to account for equity, and the final offer will be based on the candidate’s qualifications. The employee will enjoy a flexible working environment with a dedicated, diverse group of colleagues.  

To Apply  

Please submit a PDF of your English-language resume and cover letter to [email protected]. 

Applications encouraged by April 4th, 2024. The position will remain open until filled, and we encourage even late applications.  

Pacific Environment is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from communities harmed by environmental degradation and from backgrounds underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply.  We welcome diversity to do our best work and believe that creating teams in which everyone can be their authentic self is key to the change we seek. 

No phone calls, please.