Job category: Full-time   

Job location: Brussels / Belgium (flexible working environment but Brussels-based)  
Application deadline: 29 April 2025 (Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible) 

About Bellona

Bellona Europa is an independent, non-profit organisation that meets environmental and climate challenges head on. We are solutions-oriented and have a comprehensive and cross-sectoral approach to assess the economics, climate impacts and technical feasibility of necessary climate actions. To do this, we work with civil society, academia, governments, institutions, and industries.     

Achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050 requires radical cuts in emissions in every sector of the economy. It is crucial to enable and incentivise a just and green transition by creating, ensuring and safeguarding well-functioning sustainable markets in line with net-zero by 2050. For Bellona, this is crucial across topical areas such as renewables deployment, grids, hydrogen, CO₂ capture and storage, carbon dioxide removal and lead markets for low-carbon products.  

As an environmental organisation, Bellona Europa has always been at the forefront of environmental innovation and industrial decarbonisation. Being a group of evidence-based environmentalists, our goal is to implement new, more sustainable actions to rapidly reduce manmade climate breakdown. We advocate for pragmatic approaches that deliver the greatest impact, today and tomorrow. As a watchdog against greenwashing, unafraid to address contentious issues, we also endeavour to cooperate with all stakeholders interested and serious in delivering immediate climate action.  

From our Oslo and Brussels offices, and more recently Berlin and Vilnius offices, we have been advocating for transformative climate action for decades. 

About the job

Bellona Europa is currently seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to join our team as a “Steel Policy Manager” located in Brussels, Belgium. Working closely with our teams on Markets, Energy Systems, and Carbon Accounting, regional offices/teams, and reporting directly to the Head of Net Zero Industry, you will be responsible for the sectoral policy on steel, leading our cross-office, cross-workstream Working Group on Steel, contributing to the overall Net Zero Industry strategy of Bellona.  

The selected candidate will have:  

• A postgraduate degree in a relevant field such as economics, public policy, engineering, industrial ecology, climate or environmental studies, or a related discipline. 

• 3 – 6 years of relevant professional experience. Experience with technical or techno-economic topics related to the steel industry will be a strong asset. 

• Proven experience in advocacy at EU and/or national level, with a track record of delivering high-quality policy or research outputs.  

• Strong understanding of climate change policies, in particular with regard to industrial decarbonisation and relevant EU legislation.  

• Demonstrated ability to analyse and assess climate change policies supporting industrial decarbonisation and systemic change, and relevant EU legislation. Knowledge of industrial project finance, product certification, EU ETS, circularity/material sufficiency, and trade policy (including CBAM) is a strong advantage. 

• A systems-thinking mindset: able to situate technologies within broader industrial, policy, and infrastructure contexts, rather than as standalone solutions. 

• A strong network and understanding of the policy community to be able to navigate the context Bellona is established in, such that we can strengthen coalitions, fight greenwashing collectively and achieve robust policy outcomes. 

• Collaborative attitude and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, engaging stakeholders across academia, government, industry, and civil society. 

• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate complex topics clearly and compellingly. Additional EU languages (particularly French) are an asset. 

• Solid planning and analytical skills. 

• Ability to work autonomously and collaborate effectively in a multicultural and decentralised environment. 

• Eligibility to work and reside in Belgium/in the EU (Bellona is unable to sponsor a work visa).  

These criteria are meant to be indicative not prescriptive. We encourage applications from candidates who have similar qualifications, even if they do not fulfil all the above criteria.  

Responsibilities:  

• Contribute to and ensure the formulation and successful implementation of Bellona Europa’s strategy on decarbonising the European steel sector. 

• Lead and coordinate analytical and advocacy work related to the steel sector, covering solutions and topics such as: hydrogen, renewables, grids, CCS infrastructure, steel value chain, and markets for low-carbon products.  

• Ensure that the scientific integrity and evidence-based approach to Bellona’s work is maintained and strengthened.  

• Coordinate the work of Bellona’s internal Working Group on Steel, and increase the visibility and policy impact of our work.  

• Ensure project/grant deliverables and funding requirements are being met where relevant for the role 

• Ensure deadlines are met while maintaining a high level of attention to detail  

• Provide strategic direction on steel decarbonisation and seek out funding opportunities to expand where relevant and appropriate for the role 

• Engage with EU and national policy-makers, foster connections and build collaboration with researchers, industry, NGOs, and think tanks working on steel decarbonisation.  

• Contribute to broader research and advocacy work within the team, where needed. 

• Participate in and help organise meetings, conferences, and workshops to share insights and knowledge to increase the visibility of Bellona’s work.  

• Some international travel may be required for this position. 

You can expect a meaningful and engaging experience starting as soon as possible. We offer a competitive NGO salary package with various employee benefits, training budget, continuous internal learning and growing in the role. Bellona promotes a multicultural, flexible, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.  

To apply, please submit one single PDF document with your CV and cover letter, along with links to relevant publications or short writing samples to hr@bellona.org, for the attention of Michał Wendołowski, Head of Net Zero Industry. We kindly request that you include “Steel Policy Manager” in the subject line. The application deadline is 29 April 2025, with interviews taking place on a rolling basis – applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  

We thank you in advance for your application and your interest in this position. While we try to respond to every applicant, if many applications are received, we may not be able to do so. If you receive no feedback within 4 weeks after applying, please consider you have not been selected.