Deadline: 8 January 2023
Based in: Friends of the Earth Europe office, Brussels
Are you eager to build Europe’s people-powered renewable energy future? Are you passionate about climate justice and have a flair for smart, strategic campaigning? Do you want to be part of a talented team campaigning for a socially-fair energy transition with Friends of the Earth in Brussels? Then this job is for you!
Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) campaigns at the heart of Europe for sustainable and just societies and for the protection of the environment. We are the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, uniting 33 national organisations with thousands of local groups as part of Friends of the Earth International. Our vision is of a peaceful and sustainable world, founded on social, economic, racial, gender and environmental justice and free from all forms of domination and exploitation. Please see this website for more information.
We are looking for a campaigner who will work as a member of the climate justice and energy team. If successful you will lead FoEE’s work on community energy as part of our campaign to ensure Europe goes fossil free.
Community energy has become increasingly part of the mainstream as a solution to both the climate and energy crises. A growing movement of communities and citizens want to take part in the energy system and new policies and laws are starting to recognize and support community energy. The democratic engagement of citizens and communities in the energy transition is vital to ensure the energy transition is fair and fast.
FoEE has been campaigning on community energy since 2013 and will continue to support and strengthen the growing community energy movement. Can you help us take this campaign to the next level? We campaign with FoEE member groups, both inside and outside the EU, and work closely with allies in Brussels and at the national level, including through the European Community Power Coalition.
Key responsibilities:
- Develop FoEE’s policies, expertise and strategies on community energy, and lead advocacy work on community energy;
- Develop and implement campaign activities in close cooperation with other members of the climate justice and energy team;
- Coordinate the European Community Power Coalition. This involves facilitation, relationship building, providing strategic support and building consensus.
- Support and strengthen the European community energy movement, including supporting FoEE member groups in their work on community energy;
- Engage with the international Energy Democracy movement;
- Coordinate activities and strategies with key allies;
- Produce press releases and diverse online (social media) and offline communication materials like briefings, reports, studies, blog articles, infographics, videos, and op-eds, in close cooperation with communications colleagues, as well as keeping the FoEE and Community Power websites up to date;
- Use social media effectively and creatively;
- Represent FoEE externally, including the media and at external events;
- Carry out and deliver on annual planning, budgeting and fundraising;
- Maintain an overview of the key relevant research, events and policy developments;
- Report to and advise the coordinator of the Climate Justice and Energy team on the campaign;
- Contribute to development of strategy and tactics of the Climate Justice and Energy programme beyond the specific campaign on community energy;
The campaigner will report to and be task managed by the coordinator of the Climate Justice and Energy team.
Essential requirements:
- Strong commitment to, and passion to match the values, vision and mission of Friends of the Earth Europe;
- Experience of working with an NGO, preferably at EU or international level, including advocacy work and campaigning on energy and/or climate issues.
- Experience of working in diverse coalitions with diverse members with differing needs and interests;
- Experience in managing campaigns, including the various responsibilities involved, such as fundraising and reporting, research, planning, lobbying, communications;
- Experience in dealing with stakeholders from different backgrounds: such as decision-makers, NGOs, grassroots groups, researchers, media, etc.;
- Experience in project management including proven ability to effectively adjust plans to rapidly changing circumstances;
- Good understanding of European energy and/or climate policy;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English,
- Organisational and analytical skills;
- Budget and financial management skills;
- Networking and relationship management skills;
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
- Motivation to exchange with and learn from colleagues;
- Ability to think out of the box and find new creative ways to campaign;
- Ability to attend occasional evening/weekend meetings and undertake travel, mainly within Europe.
This position is based in Brussels, Belgium.
We offer
A salary between 2.724€ and 3.935€ gross per month*, depending on experience as per FoEE’s salary policy.
FoE Europe offers an attractive benefits package, including a 13th month salary, lunch vouchers, an additional 5 days of holidays per year, pension scheme, hospitalisation and comprehensive travel insurance. We also offer full coverage of train travel in case of commuting within Belgium. FoEE offers an exciting working environment in an international NGO and office located in an environmentally-friendly NGO building. We offer the position for 12 months. Dependent on funding it is intended to continue the post beyond the 12-months period.
Friends of the Earth Europe actively welcomes candidates of all descriptions, regardless of age, sexual orientation, marital status, wealth, religious, philosophical or political beliefs, language, present or future state of health, disability, physical or genetic characteristics, gender, pregnancy, parental status, change of sex, nationality, race, skin colour, ancestry, descent, national or ethnic or social origin. FoE Europe strives to make our office as diverse as possible.
To apply
Send your motivation letter (maximum 2 pages), and CV summarising your experience – education, employment, activism, volunteering, relevant lived experience, etc (maximum 3 pages, no photos please) by midnight January 8th 2023 at the latest to: climateandenergyjob@foeeurope.org
Interviews are scheduled for the week of January 9th 2022. FoEE will store your application and all corresponding data for a period of 6 months after the job advert closes. If you would like us to keep your CV and application letter on file, please indicate this in your email.
Only candidates selected for the test and interviews will be contacted – thank you for your understanding.
* Before 2023 Belgian indexation