Capita is a global think tank, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that explores how the great cultural and social transformations of our day affect our youngest children (0-8 years old). We seek to tackle the interrelated problems and injustices that prevent society from meeting the needs of children and families, particularly those furthest from opportunity.
The role
Are you passionate about confronting climate change and ensuring child and family flourishing? Capita is incubating a new global philanthropic Fund investing in ideas, movements, and public opinion change at the intersection of early childhood and climate change. The Fund is currently in its early developmental stage. We seek a part-time Senior Fellow to assist in the development of the Fund.
Key roles and responsibilities
- Provide insights and develop recommendations toward the design of the new Fund, a proposed philanthropic vehicle focused at the intersection of early childhood development and climate change.
- Ensure that both Capita and the Fund are operating with a justice and equity-driven global perspective drawn from experience with threatened families and communities, particularly those in Central & South America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific regions.
- Provide vital insights into the Fund’s priorities, structures, and operations and how those will be received from a “user” perspective.
- Develop recommendations for how the Fund can incorporate participatory grantmaking and source potential grantees from an inclusive pool, avoiding the traditional philanthropic ‘gatekeeping’ that reduces access for certain populations.
- Deepen connections between the Fund and community-based organizations working on climate and childhood issues in the Fund’s target geographies outside the U.S.; identify potential pilot projects.
- Provide recommendations to aid with fundraising efforts and other development activities as appropriate.
- Contribute to thought leadership and communications activities (including written pieces, participating in virtual events, etc.)
Experience and skills
- A strong background in efforts to adapt to and/or fight against the impacts of climate change; a known champion with significant professional networks in the area.
- A background in policy or programmatic efforts related to children and families (especially with a focus on the youngest children) preferred, but a passion for improving human flourishing is a must.
- Deep understanding of community engagement as well as justice, diversity, equity & inclusion considerations in project design and implementation.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to understand and respond to perspectives across lines of difference.
- Experience with philanthropy is a plus, but not required.
- Networks and experience working in Central & South America, Africa, and/or Asia-Pacific preferred.
- A self-starter comfortable working with a distributed, remote organization that spans time zones.
- A working fluency in both oral and written English. Other languages, such as Spanish, are desirable.