Global Climate Policy GA (AY 25- 26 C91369)

The COP Middlebury Network is a new initiative that brings together Middlebury College and MIIS students, alumni, faculty, and staff who share a common interest in international climate policy. The primary goal of this network is to facilitate knowledge exchange and foster deeper understanding of global climate negotiations through direct engagement with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). The network aims to demystify the COP process by creating an experiential learning opportunity for participants, and sharing their knowledge with the broader network community. A key component of this initiative is to support meaningful participation of at least two students and one Middlebury alumni to attend COP30 in Belem, Brazil (November 2025). These participants will gain firsthand insight into the complexities and dynamics of international climate negotiations.  This position is in direct support of the network. The GA is expected to work a ~5 hrs/week for 14 weeks and the ability to travel to Belem, Braziland to attend a week of COP. \

Core Responsibilities:

• ​​Help build the COP network by contacting various Middlebury alumni, staff and faculty  

• ​Develop a structure and manage a network of partners   

• ​Design and facilitate COP network meetings and information sessions  

• ​Participate in COP30 as either a volunteer with a national delegation or observer organization (e.g., NGO, business, or research institution) or follow a topic of their choice throughout the event, interview participants, and conduct a succinct but rich analysis of their choice.  Expectations for Participants 
• Engage actively in the conference by attending side events, open-door negotiations, ask questions, and initiate conversations with other participants and experts, etc. 
• Document their experience by taking notes, capturing photos and videos, and gathering relevant information to share with the wider network. 
• Share insights with the broader community by posting on the school's social media, contributing to video content during the event, and participating in post-COP activities with the network such as panel discussions or storytelling sessions. 
• Produce reports and stories about the COP network activities   
• Track millstones and create reports for the strategic initiative funding ​ 

Requirements

• ​​Demonstrated project management skills  

• ​Strong and demonstrated interest in climate policy  

• ​Excited to participate and passionate about global climate issues  

• ​Maturity and experience with international travel and conference attendance.  

• ​Proactive (willing and able to reach out to delegations or NGOs for volunteering opportunities)   

• ​Collaborative and community-oriented  

• ​Track record of working on collaborative teams  

• ​Strong communication skills  ​ 

Student Employment Eligibility:

Unless restricted by certain visa status, all students with an active status for the semester are eligible for jobs on campus.

Students on leave or withdrawn are not eligible to work in student employment positions until the semester in which they return. If you are currently withdrawn or on leave you are eligible to be employed in staff positions.

Some may be restricted due to financial aid status. International students (non-resident aliens) may not work off campus unless they have applied for and received work authorization from the United States government. (An F-1 visa does not give work authorization.) Off campus work study positions are available only to U.S. citizens on financial aid with a federal work study component.

Student are not eligible to work remotely from International locations.

Hour Limitations:

All student employees are limited to working no more than 20 hours per week in on campus jobs during the academic year (this includes exam periods). The only exception is when there is a full week when school is not in session. Specifically: February recess, Spring recess, and full weeks of December or summer recess. During these time periods only, students can work up to 40 hours per week. International Students: Visa restrictions prohibit international students from exceeding 20 hours of work per academic calendar week.