Programme Associate

The Fifth Element is seeking a programme associate to join our team. 

The Programme associate will provide dedicated coordination and administrative support across both the Earth-Humanity Coalition and the wider Reframing Research & Innovation portfolio of work. 

Background 

The Earth-Humanity Coalition was created in April 2024 in response to the UN General Assembly's proclamation of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD, 2024–2033). The Club of Rome, through its Fifth Element programme, hosts the Earth-Humanity Coalition International Secretariat and is developing the intellectual case for reframing global research and innovation funding towards pluriversal, community-accountable knowledge systems. 

The Earth-Humanity Coalition has recently adopted a three-year strategy (2026–2029) covering governance evolution, a growing hub network, an expanding membership base, deeper UN Decade engagement and a heavier publications pipeline. In parallel, the Fifth Element's broader Research & Innovation reframing agenda also has relevant projects across China, Africa, and Europe, alongside a growing publications and dissemination programme and other short-term partnership projects. 

Responsibilities 

The Earth-Humanity Coalition governance, membership and UN Decade liaison support 

• Support Secretariat coordination of the Earth-Humanity Coalition General Assembly and Steering Committee meetings (scheduling, agendas, minutes, follow-up). 
• Maintain the Earth-Humanity Coalition's governance documentation (Charter, hub governance templates, Working Group and hub decision records) and the member capability register, supporting proactive matchmaking between members and Working Group or hub needs. 
• Coordinate onboarding of new General Assembly members into a Working Group or hub and support the annual member contribution report and renewal conversations. 
• Support the Executive Committee focal point in preparing IDSSD briefing notes and session summaries, help compile the Earth-Humanity Coalition's annual evidence submission to UNESCO/IDSSD tracked against the Decade's Expected Outcomes, and provide logistical support for the Earth-Humanity Coalition's participation in the UNESCO Global Conference and other Decade-wide convenings. 

Research & Innovation work stream and hub coordination 

• Provide administrative and coordination support across the Fifth Element's Research & Innovation work streams and short-term projects and partnerships. 
   

Publications and dissemination 

• Support delivery of the Earth-Humanity Coalition's publications pipeline: coordinating pre-publication endorser outreach, tracking the pre-commissioned follow-on paper and op-ed pipeline and maintaining the distribution list for each major release. 
   

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting 

• Maintain regular data collection against the Earth-Humanity Coalition's monitoring, evaluation and learning indicators (hub numbers and stage, member activation, funding diversity, publication reach). 
• Assist in preparing the annual the Earth-Humanity Coalition report for the Steering Committee, UNESCO/IDSSD and fundraising purposes. 

General programme and administrative support 

• Provide calendar management, correspondence and travel coordination support for Reframing Research & Innovation projects and events. 
• Support budget tracking, expense processing and basic financial administration for the Earth-Humanity Coalition activities. 
• Provide research support and prepare briefing notes as required. 
• Perform other duties as reasonably required to support the The Fifth Element team’s work. 

Qualifications and experience 

• Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences/humanities, development studies, social or political science, public policy or a related field. 
• At least 1–3 years of relevant experience (internships included) in programme support, coordination or administrative roles, ideally within a multilateral body, academic network, NGO or think tank. 
• Excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of French or another UN language is an advantage. 
• Strong organisational skills and close attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple work streams and deadlines concurrently. 
• Confident user of standard office and virtual collaboration tools (Microsoft Office, video-conferencing platforms, shared drives, project trackers). Familiarity with Airtable and  Claude Cowork is an advantage.  
• Genuine interest in sustainability, multilateral science policy and multi-stakeholder governance. 
• Sensitivity to and enthusiasm for working across diverse cultural, linguistic and knowledge-system contexts, in keeping with Earth-Humanity Coalition's pluriversal approach. 

Desired skills and attributes 

• Prior exposure to UN or multilateral coordination processes, science academies or research networks. 
• Familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals and international science policy processes, including the UN Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development. 
• Experience coordinating meetings or events across multiple time zones and stakeholder groups. 
• A collaborative, self-starting working style, comfortable operating with a degree of ambiguity in a small, fast-growing Programme Team. 

Reporting and working arrangements 

The Programme Associate will report to the Programme Lead at The Fifth Element and the Club of Rome, and will work closely with The Fifth Element team, the Earth-Humanity Coalition Steering Committee members and the Earth-Humanity Coalition Working Group leads as required. Regular check-ins will be scheduled to review workplan priorities. 

Duration, time commitment and remuneration 

• Duration: initial 12-month contract, with the possibility of extension subject to performance and funding availability. 
• Start date: 4 January 2027 
• Time commitment: Full-time with occasional travel. Availability for at least 4 hours daily within CET working hours is required.  
• Remuneration: commensurate with experience and in line with the Fifth Element's compensation framework 

About the Fifth Element team and culture 

The Fifth Element is an initiative of the Club of Rome working to convene organisations and individuals that reframe human development for wellbeing on a healthy planet. The team is small but effective, operating across 4 continents and partnering with collaborators in over 35 countries.  

The culture is collaborative, open-minded and reflective. We are a highly ambitious team, working with a spirit of significance while embracing modesty and humility. There is a strong emphasis on learning, systems thinking and ubuntu. The role offers early-career exposure to leading-edge thinkers, leaders and organisations on systemic change, regeneration and intergenerational leadership at a pivotal moment for global policy and practice.  

• For more information about the work of The Fifth Element, read the 2025 activity report and visit our website.  
• For more information about the work of the Club of Rome, read the 2025 Annual report. 

How to apply 

Please fill in the application form here. This requires a CV, answering a set of questions, and details of referees. 

The deadline for applications is 25 October 2359 CAT 

Our recruitment process 

• Applications submitted to a recruitment platform for the first shortlist 
• Technical interview: complete a small task that is similar to the types of tasks you will be doing. Further shortlisting 
• Panel Interviews 
• Shortlisted candidates may be asked to submit due diligence documentation  
• Final interview with the programme lead and Principal 

This position is for the Fifth Element programme, but the person will sign a work contract with The Club of Rome.   

The Club of Rome is an equal opportunity employer.  

We are committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion. We encourage qualified candidates to apply from all social and ethnic backgrounds, and do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of ethnic origin, colour, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.