EU Petrochemicals (Senior) Campaigner

Position description

Petrochemical production (most importantly plastics and agrochemicals, and their chemical precursors) poses an array of direct harms while providing a lifeline to fossil fuel producers and further entrenching fossil fuels in the economy. Unless halted, the ongoing expansion of petrochemical infrastructure, including associated build-out plans for carbon capture use and/or storage (CCU/S) – facilitated by new public subsidies and political support – will lock in fossil facilities that threaten frontline communities and public health, create risks for investors and those whose assets are managed, and accelerate the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and chemical pollution.

With the Global Petrochemicals Campaign Manager and other relevant staff at CIEL, the EU Petrochemicals Campaigner will work to 1) monitor the evolution of the EU policy landscape to identify opportunities for intervention and collaboration with the rest of CIEL’s work, 2) build synergies between the work of partners within the Rethink Plastic Alliance and other relevant EU partners on the different EU policy files related to petrochemicals 3) initiate, coordinate, and work with partners to implement an advocacy strategy using policy and other levers to stop petrochemical expansion and advance its managed decline and a just transition in Europe, and 4) develop and advocate around CIEL’s policy proposals on petrochemicals within the EU.

While the job duties are similar for a Campaigner or Senior Campaigner, a Senior Campaigner is expected to bring significantly more expertise and experience in international coalition work, and movement building on relevant or related subject matters. A Senior Campaigner will also be expected to take leadership in campaign development and strategy setting and take a more prominent role in representing CIEL in external and media spaces. The exact job title will be determined based on the qualifications of the candidate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advocacy: (50%)

• Develop and continually refine short, medium, and long-term strategic campaigns to advance CIEL’s overall mission and vision with respect to the production, trade, and use of petrochemicals in the EU in collaboration with the Global Petrochemicals Campaign Manager, the Agrochemicals and Fossil Fuels Campaigner, the Global Plastics and Petrochemicals Campaigner, and other members of staff;
• Draft, as necessary, high-quality reports, briefings, talking points, or other written materials to convey results of research and critical information to movement partners, policymakers, financial actors, and the press;
• Balance long-term projects with rapid response research and analysis to respond to partner demands, press inquiries, and breaking news;
• Work with team members to incorporate CIEL’s work and research in other geographies and fields into advocacy on petrochemicals at the EU level;
• Represent CIEL in coalitions, public meetings, workshops, and other processes as assigned;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant partner organizations, coalitions, and other actors/stakeholders to achieve CIEL’s project-related goals.

Coalition Coordination: (25%)

• Represent CIEL within relevant networks and coalitions, including contributing to strategy development and implementation, in coordination with relevant partners;
• Facilitate the Petrochemicals Task Force of the Break Free From Plastic movement in Europe;
• Build synergies between the work of various coalitions and partners at the EU level, and build support for CIEL’s petrochemicals advocacy strategy within these networks.

Research and analysis: (20%)

• Undertake and share research to back policy proposals on petrochemicals at the EU level;
• Prepare and disseminate (verbally and in writing) clear and compelling analyses to educate European audiences regarding the strategic importance of addressing and effectively regulating the petrochemicals sector, including addressing the legal, financial, health, and human rights risks arising from the sector, and the anticipated impacts of the Global Plastics Treaty, among others;
• Monitor petrochemical market trends in the EU to inform strategies and interventions;
• Develop and maintain solid expertise on relevant political and regulatory frameworks and issue areas related to petrochemicals at the EU level.

Administration: (5%)

• Support fundraising efforts, such as proposals and reports, as relevant;
• Maintain timesheets and submit them on time;
• Meet periodically as requested with supervisor and other team members;
• Participate in weekly staff and team meetings and other organizational activities, including a regular staff performance evaluation;
• Meet target dates, prioritize tasks, and ensure high-quality work products.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Campaigner: 2 years of relevant experience in advocacy campaigning;
• Sr. Campaigner: 5 years of relevant experience in advocacy campaigning and campaign coordination;
• Solid understanding of, and some experience in navigating the EU decision-making process;
• Knowledge of the fossil fuel and petrochemical sectors and familiarity with ongoing climate, environmental, and public health debates;
• Demonstrated ability to distill key messages from technical information and translate them to different audiences and on different platforms;
• Able to oversee and deliver multiple priorities by target dates and perform a wide variety of tasks over the course of the workday;
• Able to work both separately and collaboratively, in close coordination across teams;
• Comfort admitting what you don’t know and recognizing that seeking and receiving feedback is part of the learning process;
• Awareness of how your words and actions affect others, openness to and respect for others’ perspectives;
• Commitment to incorporating principles of justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work;
• Able to travel internationally, and for extended periods (public safety guidelines permitting);
• Proficient use of office software, team communication platforms, social media platforms, and project management tools.

Desired Qualifications:

• Solid experience in navigating the EU decision-making process;
• Solid experience in the facilitation of diverse spaces and multi-stakeholder processes;
• Expertise on EU energy, climate, chemicals and/or circular economy policies;
• Proficient in French and/or another European language.

A successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Action-Oriented: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of curiosity, proactivity, and constructiveness;
• Nimble Learning: Approaches unfamiliar tasks proactively and with an open mind. Can quickly adapt to new situations and to draw on past successes and failures to solve current problems;
• Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective communication. Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for understanding, and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders;
• Collaborates: Brings people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. Creates synergy resulting in a combined effort with greater results than what can be achieved by individuals;
• Resourcefulness: Is able to make the best of limited resources and find a way to get things done even when the odds are against them. Can look beyond the obvious for viable approaches to accomplish the goal.

Application instructions

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