Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Strategist (Asia)
at The Sunrise Project
🏢 About The Sunrise Project
The Sunrise Project is a global network of independent organizations that combines strategic grant-making and campaigning to scale social movements driving the energy transition beyond fossil fuels. They are unique in their focus on shifting finance, particularly in Asia, and their collaborative approach with grassroots movements. Working here means you'll be at the forefront of leveraging financial leverage points to combat climate change.
About This Role
As Senior Strategist (Asia), you will develop and implement strategies to shift finance out of LNG and fossil fuel expansion in Asia. This role is impactful because it targets the root cause of the climate crisis—fossil fuel financing—and works across public and private finance to hold institutions accountable. You'll build alliances with climate movements and represent Sunrise at key events, directly influencing the energy transition in one of the world's most critical regions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with allies in Southeast Asia to discuss a campaign targeting a Japanese trading house. You'll then analyze a financial report on LNG investments, draft a strategy memo for a grant proposal, and prepare a presentation for an industry conference. Afternoon could involve a call with a partner NGO to coordinate a joint action, followed by reviewing a grantee's progress report.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who The Sunrise Project Is Looking For
- An experienced campaign strategist with a proven track record of achieving real-world outcomes, particularly in campaigns targeting corporate power in the finance sector.
- Financially literate with a strong understanding of financial markets, institutions, and finance policy, especially as they relate to fossil fuels and ESG.
- Deeply familiar with Asia's socio-economic and political systems, including experience working in or on the region (e.g., Southeast Asia, East Asia).
- Excellent communicator and presenter, able to engage diverse stakeholders from grassroots activists to financial executives, and fluent in an Asian language (e.g., Mandarin, Bahasa, Thai).
📝 Tips for Applying to The Sunrise Project
Tailor your resume to highlight specific campaign wins that shifted finance away from fossil fuels, quantifying impact where possible (e.g., 'Led campaign that resulted in $X billion divested from LNG').
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your understanding of Asian financial markets (e.g., Chinese state banks, Japanese trading houses) to Sunrise's strategy of targeting LNG finance.
Demonstrate your familiarity with The Sunrise Project's network model by mentioning any alliances or coalitions you've worked with in the climate movement.
Showcase your financial literacy by discussing specific financial instruments (e.g., bonds, project finance) and how they can be leveraged for change.
If you speak an Asian language, mention it prominently and provide examples of how you've used it in a professional context.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your track record of campaign strategy development that achieved measurable outcomes in shifting finance or corporate behavior.', "Specific knowledge of Asia's energy finance landscape, including key players like Chinese policy banks, Japanese trading houses, and ASEAN financial hubs.", 'Your ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with diverse allies, from local community groups to international NGOs.', "Your commitment to the mission of accelerating the energy transition and your understanding of Sunrise's unique role as a grant-maker and campaigner."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review The Sunrise Project's website and recent reports on their 'Money & Fossil Fuels' campaign, especially their work on LNG in Asia.
- → Research the current state of LNG expansion in Asia, including key projects (e.g., in Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh) and the financial institutions backing them.
- → Familiarize yourself with the concept of 'strategic grant-making' and how Sunrise uses it to support movements—look at their grantees and past campaigns.
- → Understand the role of Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other multilateral banks in financing fossil fuels, and any recent shifts in their policies.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic statements about 'passion for climate' without demonstrating specific knowledge of finance or Asia. This role requires hard skills, not just enthusiasm.
- Don't overlook the importance of language skills—if you claim fluency, be prepared to use it. If you don't have it, explain how you'll work around it (e.g., with local partners).
- Avoid focusing only on grassroots activism without addressing the financial and corporate power dynamics that Sunrise targets. This role is about shifting finance, not just protesting.
📅 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 The Sunrise Project!