Opportunity

The non-residential Senior Climate Fellow will support IRAP’s climate research, network, visibility, and credibility on a part-time non-residential basis from August to December 2026, at a time when IRAP is pivoting and deepening its climate migration advocacy. The Fellow will be someone at a senior level who is a published and recognized thought leader in the field of climate migration, who will represent IRAP at major climate and climate migration events, and who will enrich our internal and donor-facing conversations about the next phase of IRAP's climate work. The Fellow will produce written work products under IRAP's auspices.

• Research and publish on IRAP’s behalf, with exact deliverables to be determined; examples include:

  • Pragmatic policy recommendations for countries wishing to expand access to lawful pathways or otherwise better serve climate migration;

  • Submissions for UN or adjacent bodies regarding preparations and migration solutions for climate-related displacement;

  • Implementable recommendations for U.S. policymakers on international climate migration that are not restricted to single pathways or marker bills like the Climate Displaced Persons Act;

  • Analysis of how to shift the political costs of supporting practical climate migration solutions; and

  • Analysis of discrete demographics, countries, and regions that are most amenable to different climate mobility policies, discussion of political and administrative feasibility, and policy recommendations with strategy for uptake.

  • Attend, convene, or co-convene climate-related engagements on IRAP’s behalf, such as:

    • NYC Climate Week, COP 31, and other climate-related convenings to leverage and share connections, foster potential collaborative work, and speak on panels;

    • Roundtable among immigration advocates on medium- and long-term climate migration advocacy, including in the context of the current extreme assault on immigrant rights;

    • Discussion sessions to grapple with inherent shortcomings of all lawful pathways and challenges in expanding or modifying them to serve climate-vulnerable populations; and

    • Event focused on enhancing direct conversation between frontline climate-affected communities and legal advocates; and

    • Contribute to IRAP’s internal thinking related to future climate advocacy, including:

      • Analysis of areas for potential political uptake of climate migration-related policies within the United States, other destination countries, and transit countries globally; and

      • Recommendations for next steps on climate advocacy for multiple potential political scenarios in the United States and Europe.

Experience

• Extensive experience in the field of climate migration.

• Successful record publishing in the field of climate migration

• Strong network in the U.S. and global climate migration space

• Track record presenting work at professional events.





Values, Competencies, Skills

• An enthusiastic champion for IRAP’s mission and values, bringing a commitment to creating a world where refugees and all people seeking safety have a path to lasting refuge, and thriving on a fast-paced and multicultural team of advocates, activists, and experts who center humanity in their work.

• A published and recognized thought leader in the field of climate migration.

• A “big picture” thinker with the ability to implement tactically, approaching climate migration through an analytical and data-driven lens, and able to translate strategy into tangible activities and goals, integrating best practices with new thinking and approaches.

• A thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport easily and fosters long-term connections. with a warm, energetic, and authentic personality that translates to building lasting relationships with a range of personalities.

• A compelling writer, presenter, and communicator, skilled in analyzing, breaking down, and communicating ideas in ways that inspire others to action.

• Action-oriented, with a “get it done” attitude and the ability to stay focused and nimble in a dynamic environment, demonstrating good judgment.