PDF Version of Job Description - Consensus Building Institute

CONSENSUS BUILDING INSTITUTE
POSITION OPENING
ASSOCIATE
The Consensus Building Institute (CBI) is a not-­‐for-­‐profit organization created by leading practitioners
and theory builders in the field of negotiation and dispute resolution. CBI serves public, non-­‐profit, and
private clients worldwide by providing facilitation, collaboration, and dispute resolution services;
training and coaching in negotiation and consensus building techniques; and evaluative research.
CBI also plays a key role in helping to build the intellectual capital of the field through pioneering work
on negotiation as an organizational competence, documentation of best practices in multi-­‐stakeholder
consensus building and dispute resolution, and online negotiation and collaboration training. CBI
senior staff and Board members are associated with the Public Disputes Program of the Program on
Negotiation at the Harvard Law School, the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning, and the
Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia.
For further information about CBI, please visit our website at: www.cbuilding.org.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to engage and grow in the field of
consensus building. CBI Associates work on a large range of projects domestically and internationally.
Tasks include:
• Develop training materials, including simulations, cases, and tools
• Assist at trainings
• Prepare conflict assessments (protocol development, interviewing, analysis, writing
assessment, background research)
• Support facilitation and mediation projects (produce meeting summaries, conduct background
research, draft communications with stakeholders, assist at public meetings)
• Conduct research and evaluation projects (survey development, interviewing, analysis, writing)
• Assist with internal projects (drafting content for CBI’s web page and marketing materials)
• Support project development (identify emerging issues, stakeholders and conveners, research
funders, draft funding proposals)
• Write articles for CBI Reports and other newsletters and journals
Consensus Building Institute (CBI) | 238 Main Street, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02142
1220 L Street, NW, Suite 901, Washington, DC 20005 | www.cbuilding.org

• Participate in professional organizations (e.g. ACR) and conferences
• Position may be located in Cambridge or Washington D.C.
• Travel when and where required
We are looking for someone who is entering the field and eager to work for at least two years at CBI.
Skilled, dedicated, and effective Associates may advance at CBI.
The Associate will report to one or more CBI Program Directors, and together with the Managing
Directors, set professional goals on an annual basis.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Proven commitment to the consensus building field and interest in further developing relevant
knowledge and skills
• Excellent writing and analytic skills
• Strong organizational skills; robust work ethic and demonstrated ability to work independently
• Learns rapidly across multiple sectors, problems, and technical issues
• Communicate and collaborate with diverse participants in a professional, effective manner.
• Warm, engaging and flexible personality, sense of humor
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s level degree in relevant discipline (social science, environmental planning, public
policy, natural resources conservation and management, diplomacy, law, business)
• Work experience related to one or more of CBI’s practice areas: Energy, Environment, and Land
Use; Commercial Negotiations; International Development; Social Policy and Cultural
Resources; Corporate Stakeholder Engagement; Organizational Governance and Strategy
• Relevant professional experience, including experience in project or program coordination,
public engagement, negotiation training, public policy facilitation, community mediation (court
system), facilitation of community engagement in public issues, organizational development,
and/or evaluation of collaborative projects and programs
• Fluency in one or more foreign languages
Women and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Compensation is commensurate with experience. In addition to competitive compensation, CBI offers
an excellent package of benefits, including health and dental insurance, vacation, and a retirement
plan.
Consensus Building Institute (CBI) | 238 Main Street, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02142
1220 L Street, NW, Suite 901, Washington, DC 20005 | www.cbuilding.org

TO APPLY:
Send cover letter, resume, and writing sample by June 15 th to:
Consensus Building Institute, Inc.
238 Main Street, Suite 400
Cambridge, MA 02142
Attn: Sossi Aroyan
Application may be faxed or e-­‐mailed to:
Fax: 617-­‐492-­‐1919 E-­‐mail: sossi@cbuilding.org.
Consensus Building Institute (CBI) | 238 Main Street, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02142
1220 L Street, NW, Suite 901, Washington, DC 20005 | www.cbuilding.org