NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

About the Carboun Institute

The Carboun Institute is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s first and only independent climate and energy policy think tank. It was established in 2025 as a Dutch foundation (Stichting). the Institute is dedicated to driving change through evidence-based research, policy analysis, and advocacy. Our work centers on accelerating decarbonization and energy transition, enhancing climate resilience and adaptation, and strengthening regional climate diplomacy. The Carboun Institute is currently working to build its organizational leadership by hiring program managers to lead its different programs.

Position Overview

The Carboun Institute seeks a Program Manager to lead its Climate Diplomacy Program, which examines how energy and climate intersect with the region’s socio-economic development, geopolitics, trade, migration, and security. The aim of this hybrid role is to strengthen the MENA region’s economic and diplomatic role in the global low-carbon transition with a focus on downstream economic opportunities.

The Climate Diplomacy Program examines how the MENA countries can advance their economic and diplomatic interests in a rapidly decarbonizing world. It seeks to understand the political economy of climate action in the region and the international frameworks – financial, trade, and diplomatic – that can enable low-carbon development. The Program also explores the geopolitical, security, and trade implications of energy and climate change, and how climate diplomacy and economic statecraft can be leveraged to strengthen the region’s negotiating power, attract green investment, and forge new alliances around climate and energy transition. The Program also explores the economic case supporting – and the evolving incentives for – green industrialization in the region.

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the region’s approach to climate and economic cooperation, by linking industrial strategy, energy transition, and sustainable development objectives. It will explore whether a robust economic case for green industrialization exists in the MENA region, assessing competitiveness, investment potential, cooperation opportunities, and the capacity of regional economies to move beyond rentierism.

The position will combine applied economic research, policy engagement, and program management. It will also work closely with the Decarbonization Program to ensure both programs complement one another in advancing sustainable industrial transformation across the region.

The position is a hybrid one, combining the program manager’s own applied research with program management, partnerships, fundraising, and oversight of existing projects. The ideal candidate is an economist with strong analytical grounding in climate, energy, and industrial policy. However, other backgrounds will be considered if they can demonstrate that they combine technical expertise with policy experience and possess strong program management experience to oversee and direct existing and upcoming projects under the Climate Diplomacy Program including the China-MENA Cooperation project.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Design and lead applied research on the political economy of climate change, energy transition, and green industrialization in the MENA region.

• Lead economic modeling and scenario analysis to assess competitiveness and employment impacts of low-carbon transitions.

• Conduct macroeconomic and sectoral analyses assessing the viability, costs, and benefits of green industrialization pathways.

• Examine policy linkages between energy transition, industrial policy, and sustainable development strategies.

• Explore how climate diplomacy and green industrial policy can support MENA countries in diversifying their economies and reducing dependence on hydrocarbon rents.

• Analyze and compare international case studies – especially from emerging economies – that demonstrate successful models of low-carbon industrialization.

• Contribute to the Institute’s green industrialization initiative, including preparation of two annual policy briefs and convenings.

• Identify strategic research priorities aligned with the Carboun Institute’s mission and emerging policy needs.

• Supervise and mentor a small team of research fellows, analysts, and consultants contributing to the program’s research.

• Ensure methodological rigor, relevance, and policy applicability of all research outputs.

• Develop partnerships with academia and policy institutions to strengthen collaborative research and knowledge exchange.

Program Management

• Oversee planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects under the Climate Diplomacy Program.

• Manage program budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure high-quality outcomes and accountability.

• Oversee donor-funded project reporting in coordination with the Executive Director.

• Coordinate inputs from internal teams and external partners to deliver integrated outputs.

• Develop and maintain project tracking systems, ensuring effective communication and reporting across the program.

• Contribute to organizational learning by capturing and sharing insights, lessons, and best practices from program activities.

• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for program delivery, visibility, and policy impact.

Policy Development and Climate Diplomacy

• Develop evidence-based policy recommendations for governments, financial institutions, and regional organizations on climate diplomacy, climate security, energy geopolitics, trade, and green industrial policy.

• Assess how geoeconomics, international climate negotiations, partnerships, and trade frameworks shape MENA’s strategic positioning and access to finance, technology, and markets.

• Produce reports, policy briefs, and white papers that translate complex insights into actionable policy guidance.

• Provide expert advice and thought leadership in national and regional policy dialogues.

Strategic Engagement

• Represent the Carboun Institute in high-level regional and international dialogues on climate diplomacy, energy geopolitics, climate security, trade, and finance.

• Lead regional engagement and diplomatic outreach related to regional cooperation frameworks, energy transition partnerships, and climate negotiations.

• Build partnerships with governments, development banks, private sector actors, and international organization.

• Identify and pursue strategic opportunities for program expansion, partnerships, and funding aligned with the Institute’s mission, vision, and core values.

• Support the Executive Director in donor engagement, proposal development, and reporting.

Publication and Dissemination

• Lead the production of high-impact publications, including policy briefs, reports, working papers, and commentary articles.

• Deliver high-quality stakeholder convenings aligned with the Institute’s annual program objectives.

• Ensure effective dissemination of research findings through the Institute’s communication channels, media outreach, and public events.

• Contribute to thought leadership through participation in public discussions, expert panels, and media commentary.

• Uphold Carboun’s standards for integrity, clarity, accessibility, and influence in all written and public communications.

Qualifications

Essential

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, including:

  • International economics, energy economics, or environmental economics

  • Political economy, international relations, public policy, or international development

  • Energy and climate policy, or sustainability studies with a policy focus

• Minimum of 5–7 years of research and/or policy experience related to climate diplomacy, industrial policy, or energy transition.

• Demonstrated understanding of the economic, political, and geopolitical dimensions of the energy transition in the MENA region.

• Proven experience in economic analysis or modeling, ideally applied to climate policy, trade, or industrial transformation.

• Familiarity with international climate governance and diplomacy processes (e.g. UNFCCC, COP, MDBs) and regional cooperation frameworks.

• Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, financial institutions, and think tanks.

• In-depth knowledge of the MENA region’s political economy, trade structures, and energy landscape.

• Network of contacts in the MENA economics, energy, or climate policy sphere or in its industrial sector

Desirable

• Arabic language skills

• PhD in a related field (e.g., economics, energy policy, industrial policy, or international political economy).

• Specialized coursework or certificates in:

  • Green industrial policy

  • Economic modeling or econometrics

  • Climate finance

  • Trade policy

Competencies

• Strategic and systems thinking, with ability to connect climate, industrial, economic, and geopolitical policy domains.

• Strong diplomatic acumen and understanding of international negotiation dynamics relevant to climate and energy diplomacy.

• Analytical rigor and intellectual curiosity to explore new economic and policy models for low-carbon development.

• Excellent communication and representational skills, with ability to translate technical and economic findings into clear policy and diplomatic insights, and with the ability to engage credibly with senior policymakers, diplomats, and private-sector leaders.

• Project management skills to deliver research outputs and deliverables on schedule

• Collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research and problem-solving, with comfort operating across technical and policy spheres.

• Independence and initiative to drive forward research agenda

• Commitment to climate action and sustainable development

Working Arrangements

• This is a full-time, three-year long position, with renewal contingent on performance and funding.

• Location is negotiable, with preference for candidates based in the MENA region or European time zone.

• Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, qualifications, and location.

• The Program Manager will report to the Executive Director and supervise a small team of research fellows and consultants. The position will involve collaboration with other program managers and fellows across the Institute’s thematic areas.

• The role requires regular travel (within the MENA region and internationally) for stakeholder engagement, field research, conferences, and partner meetings.

Application Process

Qualified candidates are invited to submit:

1. A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience

2. A motivation letter (personally written) explaining your interest in the position and alignment with the Institute’s mission

3. Writing samples demonstrating your analytical and communication skills

4. Names and contact information of at least two professional references

Applications should be submitted through the application form. If you face technical challenges please let us know by emailing careers@carboun.com with the subject line “Climate Diplomacy Program Manager Application”.