Lead EU Buildings Decarbonisation (f/m/d)

Position description

Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. Decarbonising buildings is therefore an essential task for Europe to reach its climate target. At the core of that ambition lies the electrification of heating, which also offers the opportunity of strengthening domestic clean tech industry. However, social and political sensitivities make decarbonising buildings particularly challenging, resulting in regulatory gaps and the sector clearly lagging behind policy ambitions.

Therefore, the next few years will be critical to bring the EU buildings decarbonisation on track. The implementation of the ETS 2 and the Social Climate Fund as well as ambitious implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will be crucial to establish an effective and socially balanced policy framework for clean heating. Moreover, discussing new policy instruments such as Clean Heat Standards will be indispensable for aligning this policy framework with the EU’s long-term climate and energy targets. Upcoming initiatives provide an opportunity for bringing the topic on the EU’s policy agenda. The revision of the Heating and Cooling Strategy and the Electrification Action Plan will be critical occasions to stress the relevance of buildings decarbonisation and to call for new policy instruments. Moreover, ongoing discussions under the Clean Industrial Deal are a key moment for underlining the importance of ambitious building decarbonisation for the competitiveness of Europe’s clean tech value chains.

Under the umbrella of the Agora Think Tanks, Agora Energiewende develops politically feasible and science-based strategies and solutions for the transformation to climate neutrality – in Germany, Europe, and internationally. As a think tank and policy lab we facilitate a productive exchange of ideas amongst stakeholders from politics, business, science and civil society. As a non-partisan, non-profit organisation funded by foundations and public institutions, we are independent of corporate and partisan interests. Our exclusive mission is to serve the climate and the common good.

To strengthen our team, we are looking for a Lead EU Buildings Decarbonisation (f/m/d), Full- or part-time (min. 30 hours) – based in Brussels.

As Lead EU Buildings Decarbonisation you will be part of Agora’s EU team and responsible for work on EU buildings decarbonisation, with a particular focus on thought leadership targeting key policymaking processes at the EU level.

Your responsibilities will include

• Thought leadership on developing successful strategies to bring buildings decarbonisation on the European policy agenda;
• Developing analysis to monitor the implementation of the Fit for 55 package with a focus on the ETS 2 and the EPBD;
• Assessing and developing proposals to support the development of a post-2030 policy architecture for buildings decarbonisation;
• Assessing the technical and political context for buildings decarbonisation in different member states, with a particular focus on the implications for heating systems and energy infrastructure;
• Assessing strategies for strengthening the competitiveness of European value chains for clean heating, with a focus on the international competitiveness of the European heating industry and innovative distribution models for heating systems;
• Assessing the social and distributional effects of buildings decarbonisation while keeping in mind the different socio-economic circumstances across Europe;
• Conceptualising complex research projects in close collaboration with Agora colleagues in Berlin and Brussels;
• Taking full responsibility for managing and leading specific research projects, including budget, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder management;
• Pro-actively contributing to building partnerships and working closely with network partners in Brussels and throughout Europe;
• Liaising with expert colleagues across the Agora Think Tanks to facilitate their contributions to projects and knowledge sharing;
• Strongly engaging with key stakeholders, and directly advising government authorities on key policies;
• Representing Agora Energiewende at meetings and public events; frequent contributions to panel discussions and conferences; working with media;
• Actively contributing to internal strategy development and discussions;
• Line Managing and coaching less experienced colleagues and supporting their professional development;
• Actively engaging with funders, both in maintaining existing relationships and in exploring new funding opportunities.

Qualifications

We are looking for a new colleague with

• A proven track record and expertise in EU policies on buildings and heating in particular relating to the ETS 2 and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive;
• Solid knowledge of the heating and cooling sector, as well as energy retail markets;
• Experience working on national policies on buildings and heating, as well as social and housing policies, is a plus;
• Demonstrated experience of working with policy makers at senior level and engaging with multiple stakeholders;
• Strong networking skills and the ability to navigate in a complex environment of EU institutions, industry associations, stakeholder groups and media;
• A creative mind, capable of developing new ideas and proposals with a view to having impact;
• A result-oriented mind, able to design and steer complex analytic research projects until delivery and guide consultants;
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills;
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written; track-record in writing high quality documents;
• Full command of the English language in reading and writing; active knowledge of German and other European languages is a plus;
• A Master’s degree in economics, finance, business, political science or similar, and at least 8 years of relevant work experience;
• Willingness to regularly travel to Berlin/Brussels and other European capitals.

We assume that there are excellent candidates for the job who do not meet all the criteria in the description. Maybe you have certain skills we haven’t thought of yet? Tell us why you are the right person for the job.

What we offer

• An opportunity to work in a mission-driven, highly motivated, and professional international team;
• Diverse experience, including professional relationships with colleagues and visitors from a variety of countries around the globe;
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement; including access to a mental well-being platform;
• Entitlement to a number of paid leave days significantly higher than the statutory entitlement (exact amount depends on country of employment);
• A cooperative working atmosphere with flat communication and decision-making hierarchies;
• An attractive workplace in one of our offices and the option of hybrid working with good digital facilities;
• Assistance with the visa process for international candidates;
• A structured onboarding programme and regular team and organisation-wide retreats to bring us all together; and
• A full or part-time role with an unlimited employment duration.

Application instructions

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