Careers

OPEN VACANCY: JUNIOR POLICY OFFICER

Date of issue:                               20 December 2021
Deadline to apply:                        16 January 2022
Location:                                       Brussels
Academic qualification:                Graduate qualification in relevant discipline
Job Experience:                             1-3 years
Language:                                     Fluency in English + another European language
Contract type:                               Full-time/fixed term (1-year)
Start of assignment:                     February/March 2022 (ASAP)

Who we are

Founded in Brussels in 1993, COGEN Europe, the European Association for the Promotion of Cogeneration, is the cross-sectoral voice of the cogeneration industry. Its mission is to work with European Union (EU) Institutions and stakeholders to shape better policies and eliminate administrative, regulatory and market barriers to the wider use of cogeneration in Europe.

Europe is a global leader in innovative energy efficiency technologies, including cogeneration, and our Members are at the heart of that success. Today 16% of the EU’s heat and 11% of its electricity come from high-efficiency cogeneration (CHP). CHP already contributes up to 21% of the EU’s CO₂ reduction target and 14% of the EU’s energy efficiency target for 2020, and there is still potential in Europe for a doubling of that contribution by 2030. In the context of smart integration energy systems, cogeneration links heat, gas and electricity networks locally in the most efficient and flexible way. The cogeneration sector is committed to the creation of a resilient, decentralised and carbon neutral European energy system by 2050 with cogeneration as its backbone, empowering European citizens and industry to generate their own efficient, reliable and affordable clean heat and power locally. The implementation of the Clean Energy Package as well as the ongoing debate on the European Green Deal will have a significant impact on Europe’s future energy system.​

COGEN Europe is involved in a wide range of activities, including:

• Representing the interests of Members and of the cogeneration sector as a whole before the EU Institutions and other relevant organisations and institutions
• Coordinating CHP experts work through technical Working Groups and Task Forces
• Organising events such as the COGEN Europe Annual Conference and the COGEN Europe Recognition Awards ceremony
• Producing statistics and other publications on the cogeneration sector
• Participating in relevant projects co-funded by the EU

• Coordinate the activities of Members’ Working Groups and Task Forces in the areas of climate change and energy
• Be in charge of policy files covering energy and climate, including Fit for 55 and Sustainable Finance
• Support the policy team on issues related to micro-CHP and fuel cells
• Draft reports, newsletters, speaking points, presentations, briefing/background notes and position papers
• Support the planning and implementation of advocacy activities
• Support with the implementation of EU projects
• Contribute to the planning and organisation of events

• Academic background in one of the following fields: environment, energy, political science, economics, law or related field
• 1 to 3 years’ relevant work experience
• Full professional proficiency in English, both orally and in writing (native is a plus), and in another EU language
• Good knowledge of EU decision-making processes, and a robust experience working on EU energy and climate policies
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a network with EU policymakers and other stakeholders in Brussels
• Excellent reporting, writing and presentation skills
• Good public speaker, able to represent the Association in public conferences and external meetings
• Ability to work in a multinational team and to prioritise tasks
• Ability to handle stress and meet deadlines
• General knowledge or interest for the European integration process