Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Strategist (Asia)

at The Sunrise Project

🏢 About The Sunrise Project

The Sunrise Project is a unique global network that combines strategic grant-making with campaigning to scale social movements driving the energy transition beyond fossil fuels. Unlike traditional NGOs, Sunrise operates as a network of independent organizations, allowing for agile and high-impact interventions. Working here means being part of a collaborative, mission-driven team that leverages finance and advocacy to achieve real-world climate outcomes.

About This Role

This role focuses on developing and implementing strategies to shift finance out of LNG and fossil fuel expansion in Asia, a critical region for global climate goals. You will identify key leverage points across public and private finance, hold financial institutions accountable, and build trusting relationships with climate movement allies. Your work will directly influence how capital flows in Asia, making a tangible impact on the energy transition.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with allies in Southeast Asia to discuss recent developments in LNG financing. You might then analyze a new report on bank lending to fossil fuels, draft a brief for a meeting with a financial institution, and later join a strategy call with the global team. The role involves a mix of research, relationship-building, and strategic planning, often working across time zones.

🚀 Application Tools

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🎯 Who The Sunrise Project Is Looking For

  • An experienced campaign strategist with a proven track record of achieving real-world outcomes, particularly in holding corporations or financial institutions accountable.
  • Financially literate with a strong understanding of financial markets, institutions, and finance policy, especially in the context of fossil fuel financing.
  • Deeply familiar with Asia's socio-economic and political systems, and ideally has working rights in Asia and speaks an Asian language.
  • A collaborative networker who can build trusting relationships with diverse allies and represent Sunrise at public fora and industry events.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Sunrise Project

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific campaign wins that involved financial leverage points, such as divestment or policy changes in banking.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your understanding of Asian financial markets to the Sunrise Project's mission of shifting finance out of LNG.

3

Demonstrate your familiarity with the Sunrise Project's network model by referencing their past campaigns or grant-making strategies in your application.

4

Provide concrete examples of how you have built and maintained relationships with allies in the climate movement, especially across different Asian countries.

5

If you have experience with grant-making or monitoring, highlight it, as managing grants is a key responsibility of this role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your strategic thinking in campaign design, particularly how you have used leverage points in finance to achieve outcomes.', "Your specific knowledge of Asia's financial landscape and the role of LNG in the region's energy transition.", 'Your ability to work collaboratively across a network, building trust and aligning diverse stakeholders.', "Your passion for the Sunrise Project's mission and your understanding of how this role fits into their global strategy."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study the Sunrise Project's website and recent reports to understand their campaign strategies, especially in Asia (e.g., their work on coal or LNG).
  • → Research key financial institutions involved in LNG financing in Asia, such as Japanese banks, Chinese policy banks, and regional development banks.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the current policy environment for LNG in major Asian markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
  • → Look into the Sunrise Project's network members and partners in Asia to understand the collaborative landscape.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a campaign where you successfully shifted finance away from a fossil fuel project. What was your strategy and what were the key leverage points?
2 How do you stay informed about developments in Asian financial markets and policy, particularly related to LNG?
3 The Sunrise Project works as a network of independent organizations. How would you approach building trust and collaboration among diverse allies?
4 What is your understanding of the current state of LNG financing in Asia, and what do you see as the biggest opportunities for intervention?
5 How would you measure success in this role, and what metrics would you use to track progress?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid a generic application that doesn't show specific knowledge of the Sunrise Project's network model and its focus on finance.
  • Do not downplay the importance of financial literacy; this role requires a solid understanding of financial instruments and markets.
  • Avoid being overly focused on activism without demonstrating strategic thinking and an understanding of how to influence institutional change.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Sunrise Project!

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