Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is looking for a Chief Program Officer

Location: Remote; Geneva, Switzerland; Northeast USA; or Washington DC — must possess valid work authorization

Reports to: CEO

Salary range: USD 144,000–180,000 depending on experience. If located in the Geneva office, a locality increase of 12.5% applies.

Application deadline: 9am ET, Monday, 27 July 2026

Position Summary

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) uses the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. We work at the intersection of environmental protection and human rights, across sectors and borders, and in close collaboration with global partners and local communities.

In the newly created role of Chief Program Officer (CPO), you are not just a leader; you're a facilitator, bridge, a coach, and a conduit for coherence and impact — a force multiplier. With a career grounded in deep experience using the law to protect people and the planet, you have successfully led senior teams to maximize integration, effectiveness and alignment. You bring humility, facilitation skills and deep listening capacities, and have worked across cultures, geographies, and power dynamics, likely within human rights or environmental organizations or social justice networks.

Your role will support the organization to learn and respond to evolving needs by fostering reflection and supporting teams to be agile and pivot in response to changing and complex circumstances. You will drive cross-programmatic strategies and alignment, and support organizational sustainability and effective planning in collaboration with the development and operations teams.

This role directly supervises three Program Directors (Climate & Energy, Environmental Health, and Fossil Economy) and the Communications Director; works in close collaboration with the Director of Development and Director of HR; reports directly to the CEO; and serves as a member of the Executive Team alongside the CEO, COO, CFO and General Counsel.

Responsibilities

Program Strategy and Planning (30%)

• Provide guidance and collaborate with Program and Communications Directors to develop and evaluate cross-programmatic legal, advocacy and campaign strategies to protect the environment and human rights globally.
• Collaborate closely with key leaders across the organization in defining and executing the strategic and annual planning process.
• In collaboration with Program and Communications Directors and the CEO, provide strategic direction for the organization's programs, ensuring alignment with its overall mission and goals and clearly communicate decisions on priorities.

Program Leadership (30%)

• Support the consolidation of our Programs Department, which will include Communications, leveraging the expertise and experience of Programs & Communications Directors, Managers and staff across the department.
• Work in collaboration with the CEO, General Counsel, Program and Communications Directors to ensure programmatic decisions account for relevant risk analysis and role of organization.
• Build capacity for program monitoring and evaluation processes — ensuring continuous learning, adaptation and impact.
• Support implementation of evolving structures, processes and procedures with confidence and compassion, building trust across teams.

Supervision (20%)

• Facilitate a high-performing team of Directors to lead their teams, ensuring integration and program impact.
• Work with CIEL's Program and Communications Directors and COO to develop work plans and budgets in line with both short-term and long-term goals.
• Support professional development of staff together with the HR Director.

Organizational Leadership (15%)

• Contribute to organizational fundraising, and support Program and Communications Directors to manage resources effectively and strategically to ensure clear prioritization and impact.
• Work closely with other departments, including Development, Finance, HR, and Operations, to ensure productive coordination and communication across departments.
• Build on a diverse work culture, ensuring CIEL's work remains values-led and with a global outlook, while becoming more programmatically, strategically and operationally aligned.
• As needed, act as an external representative of CIEL with partners, media and funders.

Administration (5%)

• Support fundraising efforts, such as proposals and reports, as relevant.
• Maintain timesheets and submit them on time.
• Meet regularly with supervisor, direct reports, and other relevant teams.
• Participate in leadership, management and all-staff meetings and other organizational activities, including a regular performance evaluation process.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• JD or LLM required.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively more responsible roles in programs, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.
• Expertise in building, leading and implementing legal and advocacy strategies to protect human rights and the environment.
• Proven track record of facilitating complex processes in multi-cultural contexts.
• Strong management and mentorship experience.
• Proven capacity in raising funds and managing large program budgets.
• Strong understanding of program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven track record of building and stewarding strong relationships with funders and partners.
• Proven track record of developing, implementing and overseeing program plans and innovative strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences, including media, funders, partners and staff.
• Ability to adapt to change and work effectively in a dynamic environment, and to guide teams effectively through change.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to work from CIEL's offices in Geneva and Washington DC, as well as to other meetings, conferences and events worldwide.
• Commitment to incorporating principles of justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work, and commitment to CIEL's mission.

Desired Qualifications

• Academic focus on international environmental and/or human rights law.
• Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French.
• Experience living and/or working in the Global South.

Location, Hours, and Benefits

This position may be eligible to work from the following locations; you must be legally authorized to work without visa sponsorship:

• USA: Washington DC office (hybrid) or remotely from an approved state (Northeast candidates preferred).
• EU/EFTA: Geneva, Switzerland office (hybrid) or remotely from Switzerland.
• Remotely: from a non-US country, depending on the country and provided you can work within South/North American and African/European time zones and have obtained your own legal work authorization.

Core overlap hours for live meetings are generally 9am–12pm ET / 3pm–6pm CET. This is a full-time, exempt position based on a 40-hour work week. CIEL offers a strong benefits package for US staff (employer-subsidized health, dental and vision; paid leave; 403(b) retirement contribution; relocation stipend; professional development funding; paid sabbatical after 7 years).

How to Apply

CIEL is being supported in this search by SCHC Advisors. To learn more about the role and to submit an application, please contact Sophia Copeman at [email protected].

Applications should consist of:

1. An up-to-date CV
2. A concise covering letter (no more than two pages) explaining your motivation and suitability for the role, addressing: (A) what motivates you about managing others, with two recent examples where you evolved your leadership style; and (B) how you have created joint strategies across geographically and technically diverse teams.

Applications can be uploaded at https://schcadvisors.com/apply.

About CIEL

For 30 years, CIEL has used the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL's dynamic team of international attorneys and experts work together in a collaborative and supportive work environment to tackle some of the most challenging issues facing people and the planet. CIEL is actively committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

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