Senior Policy Advisor, Cool Economy, Finance and Diplomacy

E3G is a European think tank working globally to accelerate the transition to a climate safe world. We build the broad-based coalitions necessary to deliver change. We pride ourselves on bringing independence to an extremely polarised discussion and holding policy makers to account on their promises. E3G was ranked the fifth most influential environmental think tank in the world by the University of Pennsylvania’s ‘Go To Thinktank’ Index in 2017 and 2018.

A transformation to a global low carbon economy must happen by mid-century if we are to avoid dangerous climate change. Stationary cooling appliances today account for 17% of global power demand and much of a massive increase in demand is expected in countries currently relying on coal-fired generation. Beyond this, cooling also encompasses transportation, industrial processes and cold chains for food and medicines. Addressing national policy, development finance institutions (DFIs) and international cooperation, our cooling work undertakes analysis, engages stakeholders, builds strategies and facilitates interventions which contribute to increased ambition in global climate action.

This new Senior Policy Advisor role will support E3G’s work on cooling mainly in two respects. First, to take a leading role in delivering research and engagement for transforming the way multilateral and national development banks think about cooling in their investment and technical assistance portfolios. Second, to lead the provision of analytical insight (on politics and policy) to the secretariat of the Cool Coalition in the run-up to COP26. The role therefore connects the two major projects in E3G’s portfolio of work on cooling – and is situated across E3G’s Clean Economy, Sustainable Finance and Climate Diplomacy programmes. This role is offered on a 1-year fixed-term basis with the possibility of further extension.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the day-to-day research, stakeholder engagement and communications work on shaping development banks’ approach to cooling, working under the direction of the project manager, who is based in the same office.
• Leading the day-to-day political analysis, stakeholder engagement and communications work to support the secretariat of the Cool Coalition, working under the direction of the project manager, also based in London, and in close coordination with the secretariat in UN Environment.
• Tracking developments in cooling economy, finance and diplomacy internationally and interpreting them in the context of E3G’s cooling and wider work.
• Contributing to the political economy of cooling research in key countries, combining qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Producing internal and external communications materials and undertaking short pieces of wider analysis.
• Offering support on project work within the wider E3G team and contributing to the wider development of E3G as an organisation.
• Travel will be required.

Person Description

You are an intellectually curious and highly motivated self-starter with a strong interest in the opportunities and challenges around developing low-carbon and resilient economies. You are a creative thinker, able to learn fast and to work flexibly with a range of people. You are prepared to go the extra mile to deliver high quality outputs to challenging deadlines.

You are comfortable with complex projects, and are positive, organised, resilient and able to deliver high quality work on time. You are confident running analytical processes and managing ad hoc collaboration. The work you most enjoy makes full use of your analytical, research and communication skills. You identify and engage with a range of external stakeholders to effectively communicate your ideas and findings to a varied audience, using your strong strategic and political understanding and influencing skills. You prioritise achieving outcomes over running activities.

Experience and skills

The successful candidate will:

• Have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience with progressive levels of responsibilities and a track record of significant achievements;
• Have a good undergraduate degree in a discipline relevant to E3G’s work (required) and post-graduate qualification (desirable);
• Demonstrate a track-record of building, leading and managing stakeholder relationships and partnerships, on climate or development finance, low-carbon economies, and/or multilateral diplomacy (at least one required) – and have experience of working closely with or within developing countries (desirable);
• Have one or more of:
• A good and demonstrable working knowledge of development finance and investment in relation to climate change;
• A good and demonstrable working knowledge of international ‘real economy’ collaboration and coordination in relation to climate change;
• Experience and a keen interest in working on both real economy and political analysis, in relation to domestic and as well as foreign policy;
• Be a strong team player, committed to achieving E3G’s objectives and capable of inspiring and facilitating action by others. You pay attention to detail and work effectively to support shared team outcomes;
• Be confident operating in an international context and influencing senior decision-makers from government, business, finance and civil society;
• Have very strong written and spoken English;
• Is used to operating internationally, with a high degree of cultural sensitivity. A good working knowledge of an additional language would be an advantage.

A salary in the range of £38,000 to £43,000 based on qualifications and experience is offered.

Please email your application in English to jobs@e3g.org. Please write ‘Cool Senior Policy Advisor February 2020’ 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 and when you would be able to start;

The deadline for applications is March 16, 2020. Interviews will be held on March 26 or 27.