Senior Associate EU Power System

Position description

The next few years will be critical in determining whether Europe’s ambitious decarbonisation goals can be transformed into tangible investments and real-world action. Europe’s journey to climate neutrality will demand an accelerated deployment and integration of renewable energies, an accelerated electrification of end-use sectors, a phase down of fossil fuels and an expansion of energy infrastructure that is aligned with net-zero goals.

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 Senior Associate EU Power System (f/m/d), full- or part-time (min. 30 hours) – based in Brussels.

As Senior Associate EU Power System you will be part of Agora’s EU team and responsible for work on the power sector transformation, whether in relation to the uptake of climate-neutral generation, to the readiness of grids, system and markets, to power prices for an affordable and flexible electrification, with a particular focus on thought leadership targeting key policymaking processes at the EU level.

Your responsibilities will include

• Developing strategies to ensure affordable end-user electricity prices, making electrification a cost-competitive option;
• Monitoring and assessing policies targeted at derisking the rapid scaling of renewable power generation;
• Assessing the policies and structures governing the planning and build-out of electricity grids with a view to accelerating its cost-efficient delivery, including potential new financing models;
• Assessing market and auction design and regulatory options to better consider and operate electricity grids, including locational incentives and output-based regulation;
• Developing policy proposals aimed at the development of demand-side flexibility whether at industrial, commercial or residential consumers;
• Contribute to the overarching policy debate around GHG accounting for power;
• 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;
• Coaching less experienced colleagues and supporting their professional development.

Qualifications

• Proven track record and expertise in EU energy policy, with a focus on electricity;
• In-depth knowledge of power systems, ideally including power system modelling experience and/or renewables financing is a plus;
• Expertise in power markets, including business and financing models for generation and flexibility, and market design and regulation across the value chain (transmission, distribution and retail);
• 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;
• 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 engineering, economics, finance, business, political science or similar, and at least 8 years of relevant professional experience.

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;
• Flexible working hours, contribution to meal vouchers and medical insurance as well as remote work opportunities;
• A cooperative working atmosphere with flat communication and decision-making hierarchies;
• An attractive workplace in the centre of Brussels 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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