Climate policy consultant
Work with governments, researchers, philanthropists, investors and start-ups to help scale solutions to minimise and reverse climate change.
Common Capital is on the lookout for an exceptionally talented individuals with a driving passion to make a meaningful difference on climate change. We are looking for talented all-rounders – you don't need any prior environmental science or climate specialist skills. However, you do need outstanding analytical skills, drive and capacity for both big picture thinking and rigorous attention to detail.
We have a number of roles available at different levels – you may be a new graduate, have a couple of years of professional experience or a final year undergraduate or post-graduate.
If, like us, you have an insatiable intellectual curiosity, a love of learning and a genuine interest in climate change, public policy and technology, then you'll find what we do fun and intellectually fulfilling. If you're just looking for a job or a line on your CV before taking a conventional corporate option, this isn't the role for you. We invest heavily in the training and development of our people and in return, we want people who want to really make a difference in the world and are keen to grow.
Who are we?
Common Capital is a specialist climate, energy, policy and economics firm. We are public benefit-focused, working with and for governments to help scale the innovations needed across all sectors of the economy to deliver climate goals.
We spend our days analysing emerging zero and negative emission technologies, markets and policies, as well as interviewing leading Australian and international thought leaders. We take a systems thinking approach to understand and overcome deployment barriers across techno-economic, cultural, political, regulatory, and commercial perspectives across supply chains.
We provide detailed qualitative and quantitative research and analysis to support policy across all stages – from conceiving of initiatives through to their approval, implementation, and reform.
Issues we are currently working on include coal mine methane abatement, industrial electrification, atmospheric methane sinks, and consumer energy resources.
This role is for Common Capital but there are also opportunities to support our sister organisation, the Climate Recovery Institute (CRI), on joint collaborations. CRI is a not-for-profit, that develops and runs collaborative programs between government, industry and civil society to help minimise and reverse global warming.
Most of our work involves close collaborations with policy makers to support Ministerial and Cabinet decisions – but is not published. You can see some of the things we've worked on here: and
What are we looking for?
We are looking for talented all-rounders with a demonstrated passion for climate solutions and public policy. You don't need to be an environmental scientist or economist – this role covers every sector and every discipline. Your job (and ours) is to bring together the technical experts, policy makers, and industry to ensure solutions are technically, politically and commercially scalable. You share our hunger to develop climate solutions that will work at a scale that matters.
You do need to have strong qualitative and quantitative research and analytical skills, and a genuine interest in the continued development of both. Our best people include system thinking social scientists who aren't afraid of numbers, and scientists and engineers with the ability for strategic and abstract thinking across many domains.
You are:
* A creative problem solver. You look beyond the framing of a barrier to understand its root causes and the real outcome needed, then think laterally across sectors and disciplines to find solutions.
* Intellectually curious. You are a lifelong learner always seeking a deeper understanding of new things – how they work, why they are the way they are, the impacts, and how they could be improved.
* Empathetic. You have the capacity to imagine how the world looks to others and to build trust, even in difficult circumstances.
* Disciplined and intentional. You consistently follow through, and you translate intentions and decisions into sustained effort and results.
* Action-oriented and resourceful. You see opportunities to make a difference; you are flexible and comfortable with ambiguity.
* Seek continuous self-improvement. You are committed to honest self-examination and open feedback from others. You are willing to take risks and fail and to invest in doing whatever it takes to grow into an exceptional performer.
* Autonomous. You honed your ability to manage yourself and others. You can scope and manage small projects.
Skills
* Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical abilities. You can rapidly get up to speed on new issues, systematically acquire and apply a range of different analytical tools and are a strong analytical thinker who can draw connections between seemingly unrelated topics and ideas. You don't have to have quantitative modelling experience or be brilliant at maths – we will teach you. You do need a level of numerical literacy and be willing and able to extend your strong critical thinking and research skills to quantitative analysis, alongside rigorous qualitative research and analysis.
* Advanced research capabilities. You can develop and implement research plans to identify, find and obtain information required with the efficiency and adaptability required for a project-based environment.
* Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal). You can write reports and deliver presentations persuasively on complex issues for a diversity of audiences spanning different levels of seniority and technical understanding. You also understand that >50% of being a good communicator is being a good listener.
* Project management. You have a demonstrated ability to perform to a high level in a project environment. This includes managing the delivery, timelines, budget, risk and dependencies of your own tasks in the context of the larger, high-pressure, dynamic and interdependent project environment.
Experience
You may be a new graduate, have a couple of years of professional experience or a final year undergraduate or post-graduate. Fundamentally, we are looking for exceptional critical thinkers with outstanding communication skills who are equally comfortable spending their day conducting research, analysing data, writing a polished client report, or workshopping on the ground with our clients. You have a proven track record of high intellectual achievement throughout your education and career.
Please note you must have existing Australian working rights. Candidates will only be considered where their application demonstrates a genuine passion for climate solutions. Candidates who do not submit a cover letter will not be considered.
Salary
We will offer you a competitive salary as well as performance bonus potential in line with your level of experience.
We have full-time roles or for current students: part time and casual, with flexible hours that fit within your study - with a view to transitioning to full-time graduate employment.
Next steps
Please send any questions, your CV and a 1-page cover letter outlining your motivation for the role and the attributes, experience and skills you bring to
Our recruitment process involves four stages:
1. Screening – we will notify you of the results of your written application and invite you to a preliminary interview if we think you and the firm are a good fit for each other.
2. Case study and panel interview – applicants who qualify for this round will undertake a case study and a first-round interview. In the interview, we will seek to understand how you meet the required attributes and skills with reference to specific examples.
3. Final round interview – for candidates who make this round we'll cover greater specifics of the role and how well we are a cultural fit for each other in terms of alignment of goals, attitudes and values and follow up on additional questions from the first-round interview. The exact format of these interviews depends on your level of experience.
4. Offer - If all goes well, we'll make you an offer and welcome you to the team