Background on SolarPower Europe

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 more than 40 countries. We aim to support the scale-up of solar energy globally through engaging with policymakers in Europe and emerging markets to reduce the barriers to solar deployment and international cooperation projects.

The Policy team of SolarPower Europe leads the organisation’s advocacy work on European policies and regulations affecting the development of the photovoltaics sector. Chief among these concerns for the European Union and the PV industry is the topic of skills and training of workers to deliver the growth of solar energy. The Research and Innovation Team coordinates SolarPower Europe’s activities linked to European funded projects, which notably includes also Horizon Europe and Erasmus + projects on topics related to skills for the photovoltaics sector.

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 and advocacy skills.

Job responsibilities:

As part of the Policy team and directly reporting to SolarPower Europe’s Head of Market Intelligence and Head of Supply Chains, the Policy Advisor on Sustainability will oversee SolarPower Europe’s work on solar PV product sustainability, including advocacy and strategy, joining relevant policy activities (e.g. weekly team meetings), as well as supporting the advancement of relevant EU projects such as EVERPV, Compliance Services, and RESILEX.  

The responsibilities of the position include the following:

• Lead the association’s outreach and advocacy strategy towards the EU institutions on solar PV product sustainability, steering the policy discussions and following EU legislative processes, in particular on carbon footprint, Ecodesign, materials and components, and end-of-life;
• Coordinate SolarPower Europe’s Product Sustainability workstream, identifying relevant focus areas, organising internal meetings and supporting the preparation of deliverables for advocacy and communication activities;

• Create, maintain and extend a strong network in the field of solar PV sustainability, both at upstream and manufacturing level and at end-of-life level, acting as one of the main contact points representing SolarPower Europe in relevant EU debates and panels, and engaging with EU institutions, other business associations, think-tanks and civil society actors; 

• Manage EU projects for SolarPower Europe, working closely with other departments of the organisation and consortium partners;
  • Coordination of work packages and working groups;
  • Project reporting;
  • Production of project deliverables;
  • Organisation of project events;
• Contribute to the content of SolarPower Europe’s communication channels, such as the newsletter, social media, and website; 
• Contribute to SolarPower Europe’s business development and member recruitment and retention;  
• Perform any other relevant tasks or duties required as applicable, such as providing organisational, content and logistical support to events, workshops and business trips, especially on sustainability-related topics.

Profile:
The ideal candidate has the following professional profile:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Renewable Energy, EU Affairs, Political Science, Economics, International Relations, or similar; 
• 3+ years of demonstrated work experience in EU advocacy with business associations, civil society organisations or think-tanks in the field of renewable energy or sustainability;
• Knowledge in the field of sustainability, climate change and environmental matters; knowledge of solar PV or experience with the renewable energy sector in the EU is a plus; 
• Excellent communication skills, experience with social media and other distribution channels, and strong command of English – written and oral; additional EU languages are a plus;
• Demonstrated project management experience in EU projects and coordination skills;
• Strong planning and organisational skills and ability to respect deadlines;
• Strong drafting skills and attention to detail;
• Confidence in using Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
• Good networking and interpersonal skills;
• Experience of supporting event organisation is a plus.

Our offer:

• A permanent full-time Belgian contract with a competitive remuneration package;
• Employee benefits paid by SolarPower Europe make this offer even more attractive: public transportation allowance, work-from-home allowance, dental and hospitalisation insurance, and lunch vouchers.

 
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 5 January 2025 quoting “Policy Advisor on Sustainability” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
 

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

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

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