UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Senior Programme Officer

Blockchain & Climate Institute; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Blockchain & Climate Institute is seeking a Senior Programme Officer to oversee its Fellowship Programme. This volunteer role involves managing fellowship experiences, organizing events, and producing research briefings to empower innovators in climate solutions. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and relevant educational backgrounds.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Networking in climate technology sector

Real-world experience in emerging technologies

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience in program or project management, ideally within global fellowships.
• Strong knowledge of climate and energy challenges.
• Demonstrated experience building and nurturing online or hybrid communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead global outreach, recruitment, and selection of diverse fellows.
• Manage the end-to-end fellowship experience including onboarding and mentorship.
• Organize and facilitate virtual events such as meetings and workshops.

Skills

Excellent oral communication skills

Excellent English writing

Proficient in using digital tools for remote collaboration

Close attention to detail

Excellent organizational skills

Ability to analyze and synthesize complex topics

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred in climate, sustainability, blockchain, international development, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Powerpoint

Excel

Outlook

Airtable

Trello

Job description

THIS IS AN UNPAID ROLE

Role Title: Senior Programme Officer

Role Nature: Volunteer

Location: Remote

The Blockchain & Climate Institute (BCI) is an international volunteer-led NGO supporting and advocating the application of emerging technology in the global fight against climate change.

What will you be doing?

We are seeking dynamic, self-starting VOLUNTEERS interested in joining our organization as (Senior) Programme Officers at the Director-General's Office overseeing the BCI Fellowship Programme.

As a member of the Executive Officer Grade, you will work in this role side by side with the Director of Programmes (DPG), helping with operational and administrative tasks as needed. You will be responsible for designing and executing a globally inclusive fellowship that empowers innovators to develop real-world climate solutions leveraging emerging technologies like blockchain and AI. This is a unique opportunity to shape the next generation of climate technologists and decentralized leaders. You will also be responsible for ensuring meetings are effectively organised and minuted, maintaining effective records and administration, and upholding the legal requirements of governing documents, charity law, and company law.

Responsibilities:

• Producing research briefings for Council Fellows’ consumption;
• Lead global outreach, recruitment, and selection of diverse fellows from across disciplines and regions;
• Manage the end-to-end fellowship experience including onboarding, mentorship, program delivery, and milestone tracking;
• Organize and facilitate virtual events such as quarterly meetings, workshops, trainings, and project engagements;
• Prepare reports, blog, case studies, and success stories to share impact with the community;
• Oversee budgets, logistics, contracts, and program tools (e.g., Notion, Airtable);
• Assisting in the management of Council projects on blockchain and various climate change policy areas;
• Deploy community engagement strategies, including designing inclusive events, facilitating discussions, and maintaining high levels of member participation;
• Liaising with the Director of Programmes (DPG) and Fellows to plan meetings;
• Taking minutes at Council meetings;
• Circulating approved minutes;
• Checking that agreed actions are carried out;
• Keeping up-to-date fellow database (i.e. names, addresses, and telephone numbers) of Council Fellows;
• Filing minutes and reports;

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to develop effective working relationships, work flexibly across professional and operational boundaries, and communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all levels;
• Excellent English writing;
• Proficient in using digital tools for remote collaboration and program delivery;
• Close attention to detail;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to balance competing work demands;
• Respectful and effective interpersonal relations;
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex topics of discussion and write them up in concise minutes;
• Ability to work under pressure and keep deadlines for the preparation of documentation for the council;
• Ability to work according to policies and procedures.

General & Specialist Knowledge:

• Advanced Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and Outlook;
• Basic knowledge of Airtable and/or Trello;
• Some knowledge of topics central to the BCI such as climate change, climate finance, and blockchain technology preferred.

Education & Training:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in climate, sustainability, blockchain, international development, or a related field.
• 4–6 years of experience in program or project management, ideally within global fellowships, leadership development, or innovation ecosystems.

Relevant Experience:

• Strong knowledge of climate and energy challenges; familiarity or experience in technology, financial service, energy industries is highly desirable;
• Demonstrated experience building and nurturing online or hybrid communities across regions and time zones;
• Experience using community platforms (e.g., Discord, Slack, Telegram) and managing content, feedback, and engagement across digital channels;
• Proven ability to manage remote programs and engage global, multicultural cohorts;
• Experience in working independently and with teams to meet deadlines in a timely manner.

What difference will you make?

Blockchain and other emerging technologies. Climate change and sustainability. These are two hot topic groups that have been headlining media outlets, dominating conferences & events, and gaining increasing traction in research and pilot projects. BCI is here as an expert platform to help governments, inter-governmental and regional organizations as well as relevant corporates to negotiate the complex landscape of emerging technologies for environmental good. We cement our expertise by putting in the hard work in researching, identifying, and analyzing the applications of emerging technologies so that informed decisions can be made by the stakeholders in the climate change and action network.

Benefits you will get from volunteering with BCI are enormous and some include:

• You will hone or learn new skills including research, presentation, writing, professional etiquette,
• Your mind will be mentally stimulated, hence providing you with a sense of purpose;
• You will advance and boost your professional career by helping you to make professional connections and giving you real-world experience at the intersection between climate and emerging technologies; and
• Help you develop long-lasting professional relationships with others. People who come together to make the world a better place forge a close connection.

Selection Process

As a voluntary organization, we are pleased to open the door for candidates who may not have the prior experience they need to start, progress, or switch their careers. To recruit the most suitable, talented, or potential new members out of the volume of applications received, it is the BCI’s policy to also consider inexperienced candidates to fill our voluntary unpaid roles as long as they can demonstrate the skills required in the written assessment. In the selection process, most candidates will be invited to complete the following assessment.

Section A: Verbal and Numerical Reasoning (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section B: Situation Judgement Test (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section C: In-Tray Exercise (An open-ended assessment relevant to the duties of the role)

Candidates who pass all three sections will be invited to attend a phone screening, first interview, and final interview online.