Position Type: Temporary, Full-Time 

Location: Fully Remote, can be done from most locations in the world

Position Dates: Approx. April 15, 2025-February 15, 2026

Deadline to Apply: February 12, 2025

For tips on applying with us, click here

Introduction

The world’s largest fossil fuel producers are already on track to produce more than twice the amount of coal, oil and gas than can ever be burned if we are to hit our climate targets. The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative champions a new international mechanism to complement the Paris Agreement, one that would hold governments accountable for their fossil fuel production plans in an effort to advance a just transition.

Position Overview

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is seeking a leader in legal strategy  with experience in International law and treaty-making to provide maternity cover for our Legal Strategy Director. This role will oversee the development and implementation of legal strategy for the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, working closely with partner organizations and a wide range of legal experts.

The Legal Strategy Director is a leadership role in the organization, reporting to the Executive Director, and collaborating closely with the political team, key stakeholders and the rest of our International Support Team.

As Legal Strategy Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal framework for this groundbreaking initiative, strategizing the stages to its development, ensuring its alignment with international law and climate justice principles.

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative welcomes and values diversity of people, cultural experiences and perspectives. We actively encourage applications from all corners of our global society, especially from people who have experience working with, or identities that reflect, communities who are at the frontlines of the climate crisis, which could be because of their geographic location, economic status, race, ethnicity, first nations identity, immigrant or asylum seeking status, language, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Key Responsibilities

Oversight and coordination

• Oversee the development of options and proposals for the text and negotiations pathway to a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, including through working closely with advisors, partner organisations, commissioned experts and legal or technical officers from country governments
• Maintain oversight of a range of projects associated with developing legal proposals for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
• Manage and run the Legal Working Group - a community of practice of legal experts providing guidance on the development of the Treaty

Legal analysis and content production

• Review, interpret, and develop recommendations based on your own legal expertise and on legal advices by partners and experts
• Develop strategic guidance in the form of legal advices, briefs and presentations for the Fossil Fuel Treaty team and governments on: 
  • the treaty text itself, the negotiating mandate for a treaty, resolutions/declarations and other text as relevant
  • the pathway to negotiating a Fossil Fuel Treaty, with particular emphasis on an Ottawa-process style standalone negotiations (similar to the Landmine Ban Treaty), as well as alternative pathways including relevant UN processes
• Produce public facing materials to communicate key strategic elements of the Treaty development with the Treaty Network, partners and broader public, as appropriate 

Stakeholder Management

• Engage diplomatically with government stakeholders, including providing advice and receiving feedback from governments involved in the Treaty Initiative, in collaboration with the Political Director
• Serve as the primary point of contact for legal strategy across the initiative
• Coordinate with commissioned legal experts and partner organizations, including overseeing deliverables and contract management
• Liaise with research and policy teams to ensure integration of findings into legal strategy

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors qualification in Law 
• 10+ years combined experience as legal counsel, negotiator, diplomat, legal advisor or legal researcher
• Significant experience in international treaty development or negotiation
• Meticulous project management 
• Excellent stakeholder coordination skills
• Excellence in synthesizing complex legal information for diverse audiences
• A strong substantive understanding of relevant areas of international law, and international law-making processes
• Strong diplomatic and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural and international contexts, including navigating diverse legal systems

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working both with government representatives and civil society organisations
• Post-graduate qualification in law, international law, or related field
• Additional languages

Compensation

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt, temporary position. Salary is calculated based on experience and location. The position could be pro-rated to 3-4 days/week for the right candidate. The total compensation package for this role, including mandated employer paid pensions if mandated by the country’s labor laws, will be in the range of $100,000 to $130,000 USD/annum. This role includes a remote working allowance, health benefits (where available globally), flexible working hours, and generous paid vacation. We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible, and will process them as they are received.  We expect to close applications on February 12.

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is a fiscally sponsored project of Earth Island Institute. As such the candidate will be an employee of Earth Island Institute if based in the United States, or by Deel outside of the United States.

Earth Island does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, breastfeeding, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by state or federal laws, local law, or ordinance.