Application Guide
How to Apply for Coalition Secretariat and Engagement Associate
at Friends of the Earth
🏢 About Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth is a bold, progressive environmental organization that has spent over 50 years challenging corporate power and advocating for environmental justice. They are part of a global federation in over 70 countries, making them a unique place to work for those who want to drive systemic change at both national and international levels.
About This Role
As the Coalition Secretariat and Engagement Associate, you will support the 'Stop Financing Factory Farming' campaign by coordinating coalition activities, engaging partners, and advancing advocacy efforts to reform Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) financing. Your work will directly contribute to shifting public investment away from industrial animal agriculture and towards equitable, climate-resilient food systems, with a focus on empowering Global South leadership.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve coordinating a coalition call with partners across time zones, drafting meeting minutes and updating the campaign's action plan, and reaching out to new organizations to build support. You might also spend time researching MDB policies, preparing briefing materials for upcoming advocacy meetings, and communicating with coalition members to ensure everyone is aligned and informed.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Friends of the Earth Is Looking For
- Passionate about environmental justice and food systems, with a deep understanding of the intersections between agriculture, finance, and social equity.
- Experienced in coalition building and engagement, with a proven ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders and manage relationships across different sectors and geographies.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, capable of handling secretariat duties such as scheduling, documentation, and communication.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to craft compelling advocacy materials and facilitate inclusive dialogues.
- Self-motivated and adaptable, comfortable working remotely and across time zones, with a collaborative and proactive mindset.
📝 Tips for Applying to Friends of the Earth
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific experience with coalitions, food systems, or international advocacy – use concrete examples of successful campaigns or partnerships you've helped build.
Research Friends of the Earth's current campaigns and recent reports, and reference them in your application to show you've done your homework and align with their mission.
Emphasize any experience working with Global South partners or on issues of development finance, as this is a key focus of the role.
Demonstrate your ability to work independently and manage complex projects remotely – provide examples of how you've stayed organized and communicated effectively in distributed teams.
Show enthusiasm for the 'hard-hitting' approach of Friends of the Earth – they value candidates who are not afraid to challenge the status quo and speak truth to power.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your commitment to environmental justice and your understanding of the role of public finance in industrial agriculture.', 'Your track record in coalition coordination and engagement – describe a specific initiative where you brought together diverse groups to achieve a common goal.', 'Your ability to communicate complex issues to different audiences, including policymakers, grassroots organizations, and the public.', 'Why you are drawn to Friends of the Earth specifically – mention their history, their global network, and their bold approach to advocacy.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Friends of the Earth's recent reports on factory farming and MDB financing, such as 'Financing Factory Farming' or similar publications.
- → Explore the Stop Financing Factory Farming campaign website and sign up for their newsletter to understand current priorities and activities.
- → Learn about Friends of the Earth International's structure and how the US branch collaborates with other member groups.
- → Familiarize yourself with key MDBs like the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, and their recent policies on agriculture and livestock.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid a generic cover letter that could apply to any environmental NGO – be specific about this role and campaign.
- Don't overlook the importance of remote work experience – if you don't have it, highlight your ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
- Avoid focusing only on your passion for the environment without demonstrating concrete skills in coalition building, project management, or engagement – this role is operational, not just advocacy.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Friends of the Earth!