Researcher, Place-Based Transitions, Brussels

E3G is looking for a Researcher to join its Clean Economy team on a short-term contract or on secondment. A recognised global leader in the political economy of the climate transition, E3G is looking for a skilled analyst to inform our work to increase the flow of private finance into decarbonising Europe’s buildings, as the EU moves to become climate-neutral. You would be based in E3G’s Brussels Office.

Context and overview of role

E3G is an independent European climate change think tank with a global outlook. We work on the frontier of the climate landscape tackling the barriers and advancing the solutions to a safe climate. Our goal is to translate climate politics, economics and policies into action. E3G is consistently ranked as one of the top ten most influential environmental think tanks in the world by the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tank Index.

E3G values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic background.

A transformation to a global climate neutral economy must happen by mid-century if we are to avoid dangerous climate change. E3G’s Clean Economy programme works to make this transformation a reality. The foundations of the clean economy need to be laid now. Europe will be a major venue for making progress in the coming years, including through the European Green Deal. This includes a huge necessary increase in the rate at which buildings are renovated to become more energy-efficient and decarbonise heating and cooling. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the foundations for transformation will have to be laid against a background of economic recovery plans and profound shifts in perspective on the relationships between citizens and civil society, governments and business. The EU’s ‘Renovation Wave’ strategy can play a positive role here, right at the heart of the European Green Deal.

This new Researcher role will be situated in E3G’s Clean Economy Programme. The Programme’s work encompasses place-based transitions, industrial, trade and competition policy, and energy systems transformation. The candidate will contribute to research, thought leadership and stakeholder engagement in Member States to drive up the flow of private finance into buildings renovation alongside recovery investments and other EU and national funds. The position is offered on a 3-month fixed-term basis with a high probability of extension. We will also consider candidates looking for a 3-month secondment.

Key responsibilities

The candidate’s main focus will be undertaking political economy analysis, engaging financial institution stakeholders, and helping to coordinate shared activities across E3G Brussels’ Place-Based Transitions and Sustainable Finance teams. This latter includes understanding the politics of change and helping to develop practical policy and institutional proposals for increasing the flow of private finance into buildings decarbonisation.

This will include:

• Developing robust knowledge and thinking on the European Green Deal and financing the Renovation Wave, monitoring developments in this area at EU and Member State levels, and interpreting in them in the context of E3G’s and partners’ work.
• Producing high-quality analysis and communication materials, on political and policy issues at the intersection of EU financial, energy efficiency and heating/cooling policy, and bringing this to bear on different areas of the Clean Economy team’s work.
• Preparing clear, accessible research and analysis outputs to inform strategies, communications, reports and presentations for internal and external use.
• Helping to engage with and convene key stakeholder networks, public and private financial institutions, citizens and consumer rights groups, cities and investors as well as helping to manage relationships with these stakeholders.
• Supporting preparations and running of workshops and meetings internally and with external partners and stakeholders
• International travel may be required from time to time.

Person Description

You are intellectually curious and enthusiastic about developing solutions in the transition towards climate neutral and resilient economies. You are committed to high-quality outputs even when under pressure and use collaboration to get to better outcomes. You are a creative thinker and able to learn fast. You are able to reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and work in a team of diverse personalities.

You are comfortable with complex research projects and confident in running analytical processes. You will be able to identify and engage with a range of external stakeholders to understand and engage with their perspectives and communicate your ideas and findings to a varied audience.

Experience and skills

The successful candidate will:

• Have a high-quality degree and ideally a post graduate qualification in a relevant area.
• Have research experience – ideally across disciplines – in a professional or academic setting or other relevant professional experience.
• A good working understanding of the implications of the low carbon transition for the finance sector and of the role of finance in sustainable development. Specific knowledge of past and current European sustainable finance policy developments is desirable.
• Demonstrate a keen interest in the European Green Deal, sustainable finance, and its role in EU climate policy and/or Renovation Wave and related policies. Hold experience in at least one of these areas.
• Have a decent grasp of EU politics. Personal networks at European level would be an advantage, as would experience working in or with financial and EU institutions.
• Have strong research, analytical and thinking skills with intellectual curiosity, and creativity and proficiency working with complex information and databases.
• Be a supportive, collaborative and open colleague and team player.
• Be well organised and focused on delivering desired outputs, results and outcomes.
• Be adept at presenting clear, accessible analysis in written form and presenting ideas clearly and credibly with colleagues.
• Communicate very effectively in written and spoken English. A good working knowledge of at least one European Union language besides English would be an advantage.
• Be confident engaging stakeholders in government, industry, finance and civil society.
• Be used to operating within diverse teams, with a high degree of cultural sensitivity.

E3G offers a competitive NGO salary reflective of qualifications and experience.

How to apply

Please email your application in English to jobs@e3g.org. Please write ‘Researcher, Place-Based Transitions (Brussels)’ as well as your first name and surname in the subject line. Please include:

• A CV of maximum two pages;
• A cover letter of no more than one page outlining your motivation for the job;
• An indication of when you would be able to start.

You must have the right to work in Belgium. The deadline for applications is August 15^th. The first round of interviews will be conducted the week commencing August 23^rd.

We will not be able to respond to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, we will not be shortlisting you on this occasion.