Mediator & Program Associate

Meridian Institute is a nonprofit consultancy that engages in dynamic problem solving with global leaders in business, government, civil society, philanthropy, and beyond. We are currently seeking a Mediator and Program Associate to join our team. This is a career growth opportunity, offering significant learning and advancement in a challenging and interesting field. This position may be based in either our Washington, DC or Dillon, CO office, or may be remote.

Meridian brings people together, helping them navigate the dynamic variables that shape any collaborative search for solutions—from individual relationships to geopolitical considerations. Our work spans industries and sectors and includes projects focused on agriculture and food systems, climate change, forests, oceans and coasts, resilience, and science and technology, among others. Across these areas, we build and support partnerships that address our world’s complex challenges.

As a member of our Practice Team, the Mediator and Program Associate works with a dynamic mix of project-based teams across a range of subjects. This role supports these teams in building understanding, guiding collaboration and decision making, and driving action within each project’s context. The precise day-to-day responsibilities of this individual will vary, depending on a given project’s scope of work and team structure. Mediator and Program Associates may be assigned to a range of projects within Meridian’s focus areas.  Mediator and Program Associates work under the supervision of Project Directors and/or other project team members.

Successful applicants must possess knowledge and skills in third-party facilitation/mediation, collaborative problem-solving, and/or dispute resolution. They must also have strong oral and written communications skills, be highly organized, and be effective working with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The successful Mediator and Program Associate is a self-starter and a problem solver with strong communications and relationship management skills.

The starting salary for this position is $60,100-$72,120, depending on total years of education and experience. In following our commitment to principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, maintaining pay equity when hiring is extremely important to us. For this reason, salary offers with Meridian are non-negotiable.

Meridian is dedicated to advancing our employees’ professional growth, supporting employee wellbeing, and helping them meet their healthcare and retirement needs. Meridian employees receive competitive benefits including:

• A dynamic and inclusive work environment
• Flexible work schedules and locations for proven high performers
• Structured professional development opportunities
• Medical, dental, and a variety of voluntary insurance coverages for employees, partners, and families
• Generous vacation and sick leave, plus 12 holidays (fixed and floating)
• Employee Assistance Program
• DC Office Employees Only – Metro expense reimbursement for commute into work
• Remote Workers Only – home office internet allowance

About the Position:

The Mediator and Program Associate supports project teams in building understanding, guiding collaboration, and driving action to address the world’s complex challenges. This position’s responsibilities vary depending on the project scope of work and team membership. Mediator and Program Associates work under the supervision of project directors and/or other project team members.

Primary areas of responsibility are:

Conduct research and situation assessments: Conduct scoping activities for projects and meetings, including conducting background research and reaching out to participants

Participate in stakeholder engagement: Interview or otherwise engage stakeholders, thought leaders and other participants in Meridian processes, including leaders of the private, non-profit, and government sectors

Collaborate on process design and meeting facilitation: Work with senior staff to design effective meetings and collaborative processes, draft meeting materials, and co-facilitate work groups and breakout groups

Draft meeting documentation: Draft meeting summaries, negotiation texts, and other meeting documentation as part of meeting support and follow up

Support meeting logistics: Serve as a liaison and coordinate with team members and serve as a liaison with support staff on logistical matters

Support project development: Participate in proposal writing and other project development efforts

Support project management: Track project budgets and subcontracts, assist in project-related reporting, and other administrative tasks

May supervise or coordinate efforts of project team members

Eligibility Requirements

• Education and training in the principles, methodologies, and tools associated with collaborative problem solving, such as mediation, facilitation, strategic planning, consensus building, and conflict resolution
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred
• Substantive knowledge and background (through school or work experience) in one or more of the following subjects: agriculture and food systems, forest, climate change, oceans and fisheries, natural resource management, health, or a similar topic
• Fluency in English; professional fluency in a foreign language is highly valued, particularly Spanish and French
• A high degree of proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including but not limited to Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneNote, and SharePoint; knowledge of data visualization software, graphic design tools, and social media

The full job description can be found here.

How to Apply:

The application deadline is December 11, 2022.

Please submit the following application materials using our online submission form:

• Cover letter specifying how your experience and knowledge relate to the particular requirements of this position
• Resume
• Writing sample, limited to one-page, exhibiting your ability to effectively communicate across an array of audiences
• Three professional references

We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest. However, due to the high volume of applications we receive, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

About Meridian

Meridian Institute is a mission-driven, nonprofit consultancy that has helped clients and partners develop and implement solutions to complicated, often controversial problems—big and small, global and local—for over two decades.

Effective collaborative decision-making involves bringing together participants with diverse backgrounds and differing viewpoints. As an organization, we seek staff that reflects and values that same diversity; successful Meridian team members are experienced working in multicultural settings and welcome new opportunities to widen their own perspectives. We bring integrity, inclusiveness, and respect for differences to every project we undertake. We are working to ensure that Meridian possesses the expertise needed to partner with—and build trust among—marginalized and disenfranchised communities, while advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within our organization and our work.

Accommodation

Meridian Institute complies fully with the relevant Disability Acts and Laws in local countries. If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Meridian Institute, please contact Jennifer Brassanini at jbrassanini@merid.org.

COVID-19 Consideration

At this time, Meridian Institute requires that all employees be fully vaccinated, including booster shots. In circumstances where an applicant communicates that he or she is not able to be vaccinated for COVID-19 because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance or because of a disability, then Meridian, in accordance with applicable law, will engage in the interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation is feasible that will not pose an undue hardship or create a direct threat to safety.

Equal Opportunity Employment 

Meridian’s work is made stronger and more impactful by the contributions of diverse groups from around the world. At Meridian, we welcome people from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin, creed, class, ancestry, or other grounds.

Meridian Institute is a participating employer in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security program, E-Verify.