Policy Officer

Climate-KIC

About the Organisation

Climate-KIC, we are wholeheartedly committed to building a diverse and representative team and an inclusive workplace that values different life experiences and perspectives, and we encourage personal development, learning, and growth. Climate-KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Community) is Europe’s foremost climate innovation initiative, entrusted by the European Commission to catalyze transformation through innovation. Headquartered in Amsterdam, with circa 160 people distributed all over the EU, Climate-KIC leads and orchestrates innovation with a community of more than 400. Together we conduct activities in 39 countries. We partner with cities, regions, governments, and communities with the highest climate action ambition; providing the framework and expert support to holistically manage the complexity of climate change and deliver accelerated climate action.

Climate-KIC operates as a not-for-profit platform working through public-private partnerships, wielding both public and private funding. We consist of 3 Legal entities: a Dutch BV Holding company (for profit) with 14 branches in European jurisdictions, providing grant management, innovation orchestration services, and impact investment advisory owned by a Dutch-based foundation with charity status – Climate-KIC International Foundation. Historically, we have been funded by our founder and core funder, the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT), but we are currently transitioning to a multi-funder model.

About the role

In this pivotal role, you will monitor, analyze, and influence EU policies. You will foster collaborations with key stakeholders, ensuring that Climate-KIC remains at the forefront of shaping impactful climate initiatives across Europe. You will also contribute to diversifying our funding base and help to amplify our relevance by engaging with policy makers.

You will be a motivated professional with a strong background in EU climate and environmental issues and a deep commitment to addressing the intertwined crisis. You excel in building partnerships, navigating complex multi-topical landscapes and systems, and driving impactful advocacy initiatives. You will help teams across the entire organisation engage with policy issues of relevance to the delivery of Transformation with Urgency while also helping them to shape future EU policies and documents and navigate their way through the EU policy landscape.

Responsibilities

• Outreach and policy advocacy regarding EU innovation and climate, environmental, social, and economic policy issues.
• Navigating EU institutions and maintaining and developing relationships with EU policy stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Developing and implementing advocacy strategies to stay relevant to EU decision-making processes in line with the organization’s objectives.
• Analyzing and communicating key EU policy developments of relevance to our strategy internally and for external stakeholders.
• Drafting position papers, policy briefs, and consultation responses to communicate the organization’s priorities effectively.
• Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, and events.
• Anticipating needs and managing multiple tasks simultaneously, including helping to design
• and deliver EU Affairs strategy, while also managing reporting and budget requirements.
• Anticipating needs and managing multiple tasks simultaneously, including dedicated communications activities (guiding social media interaction, drafting thought leadership articles.)

Key Working Relationships:

• Policy & EU Affairs Orchestrator
• Climate-KIC Hub Lead
• Strategic Partnerships team
• Leadership Team
• Delivery teams
• Multi-stakeholder engagement across the organization
• EU bodies, national and regional governments, philanthropies and private funders, corporate Partners

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Qualifications & Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of experience in a policy or advocacy role, preferably within the climate, environment, and sustainability at the EU and international level; alternatively, knowledge of the EU/global landscape with strong expertise in relevant field/institution relevant to sustainability;
• Demonstrated experience in analyzing and delivering on climate-related policies and funding mechanisms or processes.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in drafting high-quality policy documents, analysis, briefings, and advocacy materials
• Knowledge of EU institutions, decision-making processes, and sustainability-related policies. Knowledge of digital and global aspects will be an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and a professional and diplomatic manner. Entrepreneurial ‘spirit’ can be an additional plus.
• Structured way of working, strong attention to detail, and a high degree of self-organization and personal responsibility
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• English language skills at a very high level, both written and spoken. Additional languages at proficiency level will be a plus.
• Demonstrated excellence in analytical, organizational, and presentational skills, working with multiple teams across an organization

Skills:

• Fluency in English, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and any additional European languages are a benefit.
• Experience and willingness to work with collaborative IT applications (we use Office365 and Microsoft Teams, as well as Miro, Zoom, Mentimeter etc.)
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail
• Creatively-minded, good at thinking and delivering ‘outside the box’
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to quickly build rapport with internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to work in an international, distributed, and multicultural team; strong awareness of other cultures and working practices.
• Interest and commitment to tackling climate and environmental change and its socio-economic, impacts.
• Additional European language is an asset.

Personal Style & Qualities:

• Articulate, dynamic, and diplomatic, with highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, and inspire and motivate people.
• Open-minded; highly adaptable, flexible, and resilient.
• Solutions-focused, with a “can do” attitude; willing to undertake a range of tasks to meet needs.
• Structured and organised
• Curious with a learning mindset
• Create new opportunities for Climate-KIC and our thematic field to strive.
• Able to manage many different stakeholders.
• Ease with complexity.

Required Qualifications

• University Degree in relevant field, Political Science, Public Policy, Climate and Environment, Law, Economics

Compensation & Benefits

• Attractive Benefits Package
• Other Benefits

Conditions of employment

• You need to have the right to work in the EU

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the EU office and remotely

How to apply

• Send an email to [email protected] with a CV and  a cover letter by 21st February 2025 at 5 PM

Interviews

• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

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