Mission Statement
SolarPower Europe is a member-led association representing the European solar PV sector. SolarPower Europe’s aim is to ensure that more energy is generated by solar than any other energy source by 2030 and lead our members to make solar the core of a smart, sustainable and inclusive energy system. We are an award-winning association and have over 300 members spanning 35 countries. We aim to produce thought-leading energy market analysis and support the business of our members through creative and successful advocacy campaigns.

The Research and Innovation Team coordinates SolarPower Europe’s activities linked to European funded projects, which notably include the coordination of the Secretariat of the ETIP PV, but also Horizon Europe projects on various key challenges for photovoltaics research and innovation. The activities of the R&I team also include the coordination of SolarPower Europe’s Life Cycle Quality Workstream, which entails the development of though leading reports and technical guidelines on quality management for photovoltaics systems.

Job responsibilities
Reporting to the Research and Innovation Manager, the Project Officer will be in charge of the implementation of selected European projects on PV research and innovation (e.g. SUPERNOVA, Trust PV…) and the coordination of the Lifecycle Quality workstream, as well as supporting the work of the ETIP PV Secretariat. The responsibilities of the position include the following:

-Management of Horizon Europe projects for SolarPower Europe, working closely with other departments of the organisation and consortium partners:

• Coordination of work packages and working groups (e.g. ETIP PV Quality & Circularity Working group);
• Project reporting;
• Production of project deliverable;
• Organisation of project events.

-Coordination of the activities of the Lifecycle Quality workstream.

• Organisation of workstream meetings;
• Coordination of workstream deliverables (e.g. Operation & Maintenance Best Practice Guidelines update, Solar Sustainability report);
• Liaison with workstream members.

-Leading the organisation of the Solar Quality Summit;
-Organisation, and/or participating in, project and workstream meetings, including meetings with key stakeholders in the European institutions.
-Create, maintain and extend a strong network in the field of solar energy lifecycle quality and research & innovation;
-Contribution to SolarPower Europe project proposals preparation & implementation.
-Performing any other relevant tasks or duties required as applicable, such providing organisational and logistical support to events, workshops and business trips
-And other related tasks as needed.

Profile
The ideal candidate has the following professional profile:

• 2+ years of project management experience in European projects or PV quality management.
• At least bachelor-level degree in a relevant discipline such as Engineering, Material Science, Renewable Energy, Political Science, Economics..;
• Technical knowledge about the PV sector and renewable energy. Specific knowledge and experience with PV quality insurance, O&M or asset management is an asset;
• Proven project management and coordination skills;
• Strong drafting skills with flair and attention to detail;
• Experience of supporting event organisation is a plus;
• Strong planning and organisational skills and ability to respect deadlines;
• Confidence in using Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Powerpoint;
• Good networking and interpersonal skills;
• Fluency in English; knowledge of additional European language is a plus.

Our offer

• A open-ended full-time Belgian contract with a competitive remuneration package, starting in September 2024;
• Employee benefits paid by SolarPower Europe make this offer even more attractive: public transportation allowance, work from home allowance, dental and hospitalization insurance, and lunch vouchers;
• We offer a dynamic working environment within a close-knit and multicultural team in Brussels. This position is a perfect opportunity for an ambitious and talented individual to work in a continuously evolving market and develop knowledge of solar PV while strengthening project management skills.

Solar for All
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are at the heart of our mission to ensure that solar is at the core of a smart, sustainable and inclusive energy system.  The more diverse our team, the more unique perspectives and ideas we can share to move this mission forward. 

We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and experiences to help make this a reality. 

Application:
A CV (maximum 2 pages) and a one-page motivation letter should be sent to recruitment@solarpowereurope.org until COB 3 July 2024 quoting “Project Officer 2024” in the subject line.

Note that while we recognise the role of generative AI tools within the workplace, we would like your cover letter to share and demonstrate your unique perspective and approach to the role.  For this reason, we discourage over reliance on such tools in your application.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

For more information on SolarPower Europe, please visit www.solarpowereurope.org