Senior Policy Advisor, Climate Diplomacy & Geopolitics, London in UNITED KINGDOM

SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR, CLIMATE DIPLOMACY & GEOPOLITICS, LONDON 

E3G is looking for a Senior Policy Advisor to lead and shape our work to advance efforts related to geopolitics and climate foreign policy, with a particular focus on the role of China & great power dynamics. The Senior Policy Advisor will be based in one of E3G's offices in either London, Brussels, Berlin or Washington DC, with a preference for London. 

Background

E3G is a world leading strategy think tank on the political economy of climate change with a global outlook. We work on the frontier of the climate landscape tackling the barriers and advancing the solutions to a safe climate for all. Our goal is to translate climate politics, economics and policies into action. We pride ourselves on bringing independence to an extremely polarised discussion and holding policy makers to account on their promises. E3G is consistently ranked as one of the top-ten most influential environmental think tanks in the world by the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tank Index. 

E3G offers a dynamic and fast paced working environment that will value your insight, initiative and collaboration wherever you are in the organisation. 

Role Overview 

The Senior Policy Advisor will lead a small multi-location team within the Climate Diplomacy & Geopolitics (CDG) division of E3G to coordinate, produce, and advance diplomatic and geopolitical knowledge. S/he will also build and cultivate relationships, research, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and communications initiatives to drive ambitious climate policy outcomes at a national level and at multilateral venues, with a particular focus on facilitating Paris-aligned climate policy among great powers - including from China.  

A large part of the role will be dedicated to working within the CDG team and across E3G’s thematic teams to develop or surface timely diplomatic engagement opportunities including via policy briefings and evidence-based analyses to European and US policymakers on geopolitics, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, particularly concerning international climate governance and major power relations. This will also include working with stakeholders internationally to better understand and respond to geopolitical challenges and opportunities and to drive climate outcomes in international and regional fora such as G7, G20, COP, BRICS and ASEAN. The role will work across the CDG team and will collaborate with other thematic teams to advance international diplomacy and cooperation on the climate transition between developed and developing countries. It may also include cooperation on issues related to NDC transition, coal-to-clean energy transition, industrial decarbonisation, climate-related trade measures, international financial architecture reform, and sustainable finance among other issues. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide strategic insight and thought leadership on E3G's diplomacy and geopolitics work around great power dynamics by working through networks, information exchange, data analysis and horizon scanning, with a particular focus on the role of China and key countries. 
• Advise international diplomatic actors, think tanks, and civil society on fostering bilateral and multilateral cooperation between developed and developing countries. 
• Lead public and private policy discussions to build consensus and drive policy change at national level and at multilateral venues. 
• Build coalitions with civil society, policymakers, business, and government stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes at international forums like COP, G7, G20, 'minilateral,' and bilateral political events. 
• Proactively engage with stakeholders through a variety of channels, building relationships by seeking opportunities for collaboration, including representatives of the private sector, key institutions, government, and civil society, to achieve progress on objectives and shared interests and advance petal goals. 
• Lead and manage a small multi-location team based in E3G’s European offices (Brussels, Berlin and London) in line with E3G policies and practice, working closely with colleagues working on other European issues, as well as those working in non-EU locations. Ensure that the team operates within a supportive environment with positive wellbeing and fostering a positive team working, collaboration and E3G culture, working with heads of office, senior management team and human resources. 
• Effectively delegate to Team Members - providing coaching and support as needed and assumes accountability for work delegated to others (peers, team members, experts, etc.) Organizes teamwork to encourage cooperation and bring together complementary skills/expertise.. 
• Represent E3G in external engagements with funders, civil society organizations, think tanks, and the press on policy issues related to international climate diplomacy, geopolitics, China's policies and politics. 
• Collaborate with E3G colleagues to integrate the CDG team's insights across teams working on other thematic areas, including energy transition, industrial decarbonisation, trade, and international financial architecture reform. 
• Some travel, particularly in Europe and Asia, is required.  

Person Description 

You are intellectually curious and enthusiastic about working with others to develop solutions in the transition towards climate neutral and resilient economies. You are committed to high quality outputs even when under pressure and use collaboration to get to better outcomes. You are a creative thinker and able to learn fast. You are able to reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and work in a team of diverse personalities. 

You are comfortable working on complex research projects and confident in running analytical processes. You will be able to help identify and engage with a range of external stakeholders to understand their perspectives and communicate ideas and findings. 

Experience and skills 

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:  

• Relevant professional experience in policy or research roles within government, international institutions, civil society, think tanks, private sector, or research institutes. 
• Excellent strategic understanding of geopolitical and great power dynamics, China’s economic and foreign policy priorities, and Chinese domestic politics.  
• Established networks in geopolitical and economies spaces at the relevant expert, diplomatic, civil society, and/or governmental levels. Networks in climate action would be an advantage. 
• Ability to provide clear direction and drive collaboration among team members. 
• Ability to operate confidently at an expert level in international settings, engaging with senior decision-makers from government, business, finance, and civil society. 
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to distil complex information and communicate it effectively to diverse audiences. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of an international team. 
• Ability to foster collaboration and build strong relationships with funders, experts, policymakers, civil society partners, business stakeholders and E3G internal stakeholders. 
• A postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. economics, politics, international relations, environmental science, China studies). 
• Excellent written and spoken Mandarin Chinese and English language skills. 
• Commitment to promoting well-being and diversity in the workplace. 

What we offer 

• Permanent, full-time position. 
• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working approach. 
• Compressed hours scheme
• 25 vacation days + additional leave between Christmas and New Year. 
• Employers Pension contribution plan. 
• E3G offers a reward and benefits package which compares well with other organisations within our sector. The salary range for this position is £49,300 - £54,000. 
• Yearly process for remuneration review. 

E3G is unable to provide any relocation assistance to candidates who would need to move in order to take up this position. E3G will require candidates to demonstrate that they have the right to live and work in the jurisdiction in which E3G employs them. 

How to apply 

Please submit your application in English.   

Please include: 

• A CV of maximum two pages 
• A cover letter of no more than one page outlining your motivation to apply and the skills and experience you are bringing to the role, as well as your earliest possible start date. 

The deadline for applications is midnight 18 August 2024. 

Whilst we very much appreciate the time you will have taken with your application, unfortunately due to the level of response we receive we will not be able to reply to every candidate. Therefore, if you have not heard from us with 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion you have been unsuccessful.   

E3G values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic background. We aim to build an inclusive workforce that is reflective of the populations we support, and actively seek applications from those who are marginalized and underrepresented. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.