Senior Director, EU Energy Transition December 2021
About EDF Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDFE) is an affiliate of Environmental Defense Fund, a leading international non-profit organisation that creates transformative solutions to the most serious environmental problems. With programs from Boston to Beijing, Environmental Defense Fund has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, economics, marketbased approaches, and innovative private-sector partnerships. This position is part of our growing presence in Europe. The goal of our energy transition work is to bend the curve on greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas production and use by 2030, while meeting the world’s energy needs cleanly and equitably. To achieve our goal, we seek reforms in law, regulation, and/or business practice through a set of strategic corporate partnerships, direct engagement with policymakers, and mobilizing investor and public sentiment in favour of change. In achieving our objectives, we facilitate cutting-edge science, technical innovation, and rigorous economic and financial analysis to develop durable solutions. We envisage a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values.
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The Role TITLE:
Senior Director, EU Energy Transition
CONTRACT:
Permanent
LOCATION:
Brussels, Belgium. Applications from candidates based in the Netherlands, Germany or France are also welcome with an understanding that regular in-person presence in Brussels is required.
HOURS:
Full Time
ELIGIBILITY:
You must have the right to live and work in the EU when applying
Job Summary As the Senior Director, EU Energy Transition you will shape our advocacy work in the EU to secure full energy transition and associated emission reductions at both EU and member state levels. This is an exciting time to work on the EU’s energy transition: the suite of Fit for 55 proposals will significantly impact the decarbonisation of the energy system and introduce new alternatives to fossil fuels into the internal energy market. Your primary focus will be on advancing our advocacy work on reducing methane from energy in the EU. 2021 was the year for methane: it finally got the attention it deserved when the science conclusively showed the importance of reducing methane emission urgently. At COP26 the EU and US launched the Global Methane Pledge, and in December 2021 the European Commission proposed legislation to address methane emissions in the energy sector. Your focus will be on getting the draft legislation improved and approved through working with the European
Parliament and Council, plus work in selected member states. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists, economists and communication colleagues and you will work with partner organisations in member states. As EDFE’s team expands to cover other energy transition opportunities, such as the use of hydrogen, you will play a key role in developing and implementing effective strategies and advocacy activity for these new areas as well. You will report to the Associate Vice President European Strategy & Engagement based in London and you will have a dotted reporting line to Environmental Defense Fund’s global energy program. You can be based in Belgium, Germany, France or the Netherlands, but you will be expected to be in Brussels regularly when in-person meetings become part of our work again.
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Responsibilities • Plan, implement and project-manage advocacy work across the EU’s energy sector. In the next 2 years you will have a heavy focus on our on-going EU methane campaign strategy ensuring program goals are achieved within timelines and budgets. As part of this you will: • Be an advocate for our position on methane emission reductions in Europe • Lead a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, economists, and communication colleagues • Manage the relationship with an international public affairs agency • Further build the relationships with EU NGOs, industry and other stakeholders in Brussels and selected member states • Enhance, implement and further develop EDFE’s energy transition work in Europe by proactively identifying and addressing future challenges and opportunities. • Build and leverage internal and external networks and connect with key stakeholders in European Institutions, EU member state governments, industry and partner NGOs to advance EDFE’s EU Energy Strategy. • Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values
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Candidate profile • Educated to Master level in International Relations, Economics, Political Science, Environmental Science or related topics or equivalent professional experience • A track record of developing and leading advocacy projects in the EU • You have a strong understanding of the political levers, decisionmaking processes and pressure points in the EU and member states. You also appreciate the nuances and sensitivities across the energy sector in the EU and its member states. • You have strong leadership and cooperation skills, and you have experience providing oversight and direction to a diverse group of colleagues in and outside of your organisation. • You have excellent networking and relationship management skills, a high degree of emotional intelligence as well as a proven track-record of successful collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders including other non-profit colleagues and partners, scientists, economists, industry leaders, regulators and public policy decision makers. • You have strong verbal communication, listening, presentation and persuasion skills, and a calm, diplomatic demeanour, even in times of intense pressure. • You are good at problem solving and have strong analytical skills and project management abilities. • You feel comfortable working in a matrixed organization. Experience of working in a fast-paced, international, and mission-driven environment is a plus. • You demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and have an ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds. Finally, you will participate in advancing EDF’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
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How to Apply All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job advert page and complete our online application form. Please provide a CV and cover letter as two separate documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be requested in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The document should be saved in MS Word in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last NameDocument Name-Date (yymm) e.g: Malika-Cook-EDF-CV-2112.
CLOSING DATE 30th January 2022
SELECTION PROCESS All candidates will be notified about the status of their applications. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview.
EQUALITY STATEMENT Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
ELIGIBILITY You must have the right to live and work in the EU when applying.
QUERIES If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email edf-euenergytransition@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.
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About Oxford HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy. Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. Oxford HR’s team members have significant personal experience of working in international development and the social sector as well as the corporate and governmental sectors. We are in a unique position to find and assess talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
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