POSITION SPECIFICATION

Executive Director
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
Washington, DC

 The Situation

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is a public interest, not-for-profit environmental law firm founded in 1989 to strengthen international and comparative environmental law and policy around the world. CIEL provides a full range of environmental legal services in both international and comparative national law, including policy research and publication, advice and advocacy, and education, training, and capacity building. As part of its education effort, CIEL also conducts the Joint Program on International and Comparative Environmental Law at the Washington College of Law, American University.

CIEL has a legal staff of seven attorneys in its Washington, DC office and three attorneys in its office in Geneva, Switzerland, who focus on Trade and the Environment. CIEL’s other programs currently include Climate Change, Wildlife and Biodiversity, Persistent Organic Pollutants, International Financial Institutions, Human Rights and the Environment, and Law and Communities. CIEL’s staff also includes a Director of Finance and Administration, a Director of Development, an Office Manager, four research assistants, and three additional support staff.

CIEL’s annual budget is $2.4 million. CIEL addresses international environmental issues, including efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, eliminate ozone destroying substances, conserve biodiversity, and reform international financial and trade institutions. CIEL has represented U.S. and foreign environmental organizations on international and comparative environmental law issues. CIEL is involved in environmental issues relating to Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. CIEL continues as primary consultant for projects supported by United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme, U.S. Agency for International Development, and a variety of private organizations. CIEL’s funding is provided primarily by foundations, including MacArthur, Mott, Ford, Packard, Rockefeller, and Goldman, and government, including the U.S. EPA, AID, UNEP, and the Dutch and Swiss environmental agencies.

Attractions

Two years ago, CIEL undertook the first of three outside reviews. The results were very favorable. One report concluded that "from our review, it appears that no other organization blends the role of scholarly legal analysis with that of forceful advocate."

 Critical Issues

The President of CIEL, Durwood Zaelke, played a unique role in fostering the development of the field of international environmental law and in creating CIEL. He has mentored leaders in the field both in and outside CIEL and has brought CIEL to a position of prominence in contemporary international law and policy. To enable him to continue to innovate on behalf of CIEL and the field of international environmental law, the Board of Directors has freed CIEL’s President of managerial responsibility and opened a search for an Executive Director to lead the organization.

The Board is looking for the next level of prestige, success, and creativity.

 The Position

Reports To: Board of Directors

Basic Function: Full responsibility for day-to-day operations. Manage all aspects of program planning and implementation, development and fund-raising, personnel management, and financial administration.

Major Responsibilities:

With the Board:

• Plan, organize and coordinate CIEL’s vision, mission, and direction.

• Lead CIEL’s long-range and annual planning process.

With Staff:

• Lead in defining and carrying out CIEL’s goals, strategies, and programs.

• Review and approve work products, including legal memoranda, policy and strategic reports, and litigation decisions.

• Monitor the financial status of the organization and direct expenditure adjustments to assure fiscal health.

With External Constituencies:

• Maintain and enhance CIEL’s overall public image, reputation, and key relationships with the outside world.

• Serve as a public spokesperson for CIEL to heighten CIEL’s visibility and promote the organization’s mission.

• Cultivate and maintain key relationships among funders, policymakers, press, opinion leaders, and others.

• Raise, with the support of the Director of Development, funds from foundations, governments, individuals, and other appropriate donors.

Qualifications

The Ideal Person Should Have:

• A law degree with ten or more years experience in environmental law, preferably with experience in international settings.

• Non-profit advocacy management, strategic planning, fund-raising, and spokesperson experience.

• Experience in managing and leading other professionals in a team setting. Knowledge and ability to set priorities and goals and work with staff on implementing those priorities and goals. Provide management and structure without stifling creativity.

• Ideally some teaching experience, because of CIEL’s long-standing relationship with American University’s Washington College of Law.

The Ideal Person Should Be:

• A dynamic and entrepreneurial leader.

• A high-energy individual with excellent written and oral communication skills.

• A strategic thinker.

• Able to sharpen CIEL’s focus.

• Politically savvy.

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