Senior) Policy Officer - Climate

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Climate Campaign seeks to enhance its presence in Brussels by bringing on board a (Senior) Policy Officer to work on upcoming regulatory and legislative files to address short-lived climate pollutants, including the revision of the European Union (EU) F-Gas Regulation and the EU Methane Strategy. The position will focus on engagement with EU institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders in advance of and during the regulatory and legislative processes to promote and secure planet-saving outcomes.

 

This is a full-time position for an initial term of one year, renewal dependent on funding, with the selected applicant to be hired as a consultant at a salary commensurate to experience. The specific job title and compensation will be dependent upon experience.

 

In support of its objective to safeguard the climate system, EIA believes that aggressive action is needed to avoid dangerous tipping points and feedback loops, including on short-lived climate pollutants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and methane. Two timely opportunities exist to do so in the EU.

The EU F-Gas Regulation is a landmark piece of climate legislation, the world’s most ambitious effort to phase down HFCs. Against the backdrop of the European Green Deal, the process to review and revise the EU F-Gas Regulation has been accelerated and a proposal is expected next year in 2021. If done properly, this revision will initiate the wholesale transition of the European economy to climate-friendly alternative refrigerants in the cooling sector by 2030, spearheading the global transition as efforts to similarly transition get underway in developing countries. EIA was instrumental in securing a positive outcome in the previous revision of the EU F-Gas Regulation in 2014 and has been actively working on its implementation ever since with a broad coalition of NGO and other partners.

The EU Methane Strategy provides a timebound opportunity to address methane, the second most important greenhouse gas in terms of warming impact. Methane comprises about one-quarter of the EU energy mix, with the EU importing over half of globally traded methane, making it a major driver of global methane emissions at production sites worldwide and across the supply chain. Reducing methane in the energy sector should thus be a priority under the European Green Deal and EIA seeks a package of policies and commitments in the EU Methane Strategy and associated legislation to reduce methane emissions associated with oil, gas, coal and petrochemicals.

To this end, the selected applicant will be responsible for undertaking strategy development and implementation, fostering relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, producing and reviewing written materials and participating in regulatory and legislative processes. This position may evolve to include other priority issues for the Climate Campaign as well as other campaigns at EIA.

 

The (Senior) Policy Officer will work in close coordination with the Climate Team, under the oversight and direction of its more senior staff and in cooperation with other members of EIA.

 

• Undergraduate degree in a related field required.
• A minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy and campaigning on European environmental policy.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of additional languages is an advantage.
• Experience in engaging and influencing policymakers and diverse stakeholders at the European and/or Member State levels on regulatory and legislative issues.
• Strong written, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to digest and integrate technical, scientific, policy and legal information as well as the ability to relate it simply and persuasively to non-expert audiences.
• Professionalism and ability of work as part of a team.
• Self-starter with initiative, able to meet deadlines and willing to work outside of normal hours where needed.
• Flexible and responsive to ever-changing dynamics and demands.
• Legal right to live and work in Belgium.

 

Please send a covering letter and CV via email to Tim Grabiel at timgrabiel[at]eia-international.org with reference to the position in the subject. References may be requested.

 

Applicants are encouraged to apply before 15 September, with applications received after that date being considered on a rolling basis.