Position title: CDR Advisor  

Job category: Full-time   

Location: Brussels, Belgium   

Start date: from 30 September 2024 (flexible)  

Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension  

Application deadline: September 1st, 2024 

Achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050 requires radical cuts in emissions in every sector of the economy, alongside the deployment of carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The reasons for deploying CDR are threefold and sequential: first to accelerate net reductions of emissions; secondly to counterbalance residual CO₂ and non-CO₂ emissions; and finally, to remove more CO₂ than we emit greenhouse gases and draw down atmospheric concentrations of GHGs.   

From our various offices, we have been advocating for transformative climate action in industry for decades. As an environmental organisation, Bellona Europa works 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 in immediate climate action.   

About Bellona Europa  

Bellona Europa is an international, independent, and 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. We are based in Brussels.  

About the job  

Bellona Europa is currently seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to join our team as a “CDR Advisor” located in Brussels, Belgium, although with a flexible work environment. As a member of the Carbon Accounting team, you will play a crucial role in producing and analysing scientific research and policy documents with the aim of supporting the development and implementation of carbon removal policy which are in alignment with the Paris Agreement and the EU’s own climate goals.  The successful candidate will work with the Senior Policy Manager and CDR Research and Technology Advisor.  

Responsibilities  

• Provide evidence-based recommendations and guidance to support the development and implementation of policies and regulations on both conventional and novel carbon removal to ensure consistency with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the European Climate Law.   

• Analyse and evaluate policy proposals and outcomes and support in the development of policy recommendations, while aligning with existing scientific literature, reports, and studies related to carbon removal technologies, methods, and their potential environmental impacts.   

• Foster connections and collaborate with the policy, scientific and research community, including academic institutions, NGOs, industry experts, and think tanks, to stay updated on the latest advancements and findings in the field of carbon removal and encourage their involvement in policy processes.  

• Bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policymaking by translating complex scientific concepts into clear and accessible language for policy briefs, reports, and other communication materials.   

• Support in the design and execution of research projects and initiatives focused on carbon removal, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.   

• Monitor and analyse relevant international and regional project developments, identifying key examples of well or poorly executed CDR projects.   

• Collaborate with Bellona staff across the Brussels team and other offices and supporting research needs and sharing expertise where timely and relevant.    

• Participate in meetings, conferences, and workshops to share insights and knowledge.   

The ideal candidate has

• A Postgraduate degree in a relevant field with a focus on climate science, environmental studies, engineering, or a related discipline.    

• Demonstrated experience in conducting systems-oriented scientific research, literature reviews, and data analysis within the context of climate change, carbon removal, or related fields.   

• Professional experience of 1-2 years in a similar role or research position, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality research outputs and/or policy-relevant content.   

• Strong knowledge of EU-related climate change policies, particularly regarding carbon removal, climate mitigation, and international climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement.   

• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information to diverse audiences in a clear and compelling manner. Additional languages are an asset but not required.   

• Proven ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.   

• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, forging partnerships and building relationships with stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and civil society.   

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

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

What we offer  

You can expect a meaningful and engaging experience with an initial one-year Belgian employee agreement, with possibility of extension – 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.  

How to apply  

Please send us your application one single PDF document with your cover letter (2 pages max) and CV, along with links to relevant publications or short writing samples to hr@bellona.org, for the attention of Mr Mark Preston Aragonès, Senior Policy Manager Carbon Accounting. We kindly request that you include “CDR Policy Advisor Application” in the subject line. The application deadline is 1st September 2024, with interviews intended for the week starting 9th September 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.   

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 that you have not been selected.