ECOS | Environmental Coalition on Standards

06 July 2020

ECOS is hiring! – POLICY DIRECTOR

ECOS is looking for an experienced Policy Director to take up a key leadership role in the organisation.

POLICY DIRECTOR – ECOS

Energy and Climate Change Leader – Member of the Executive Management Team

Reporting to: Executive Director – Teamleader to 5 FTEs

 

Application deadline: 31 AUGUST 2020

The Role

ECOS is looking for an experienced Policy Director to take up a key leadership role in the organisation.

The Policy Director leads our work, and team, on energy, ecodesign, and climate change. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Policy Director is a member of the Executive Management Team.

The Policy Director plays a leading role in delivering our strategy, engaging with the European Commission, international stakeholders, the European and international standardisation system, and our key stakeholders.

This pivotal position is of crucial importance to the organisation. As an integral part of the Executive Management Team, the successful candidate will bring his/her strategic leadership and honed people management skills to a winning team. 

About ECOS

ECOS is a Brussels-based non-profit environmental organisation with an exceptional team of 19 staff supported by a network of 40 technical experts and nearly 50-member organisations. ECOS is the only environmental organisation worldwide specialised in standardisation. ECOS is supported by the European Commission & EFTA with Framework Partnership Agreements under which we have Operating and Action Grants.

We are an international network of members sharing a vision of a clean and healthy environment where people live in respect of the planet and its natural resources, preserving them for future generations. ECOS aims to influence the development of ambitious standardisation, legislation and political strategies to promote the transition to a clean and circular economy that respects planetary boundaries. We promote and defend environmental interests in the development of ecodesign policies, and standards at European and international level.

Key responsibilities will include:

  • Member of the Executive Management Team, participating in strategic planning, policy formulation, and strategic budgeting
  • Lead the Climate & Energy team and the effective implementation of the ECOS work programme in the area of energy, the ecodesign directive, & climate change
  • Develop ECOS’ international engagement, impact and profile on the environmental impact of key products including smart phones, data centres, Air conditioners, batteries, washing machines
  • Promote and defend environmental interests in the standardisation system (including global), and the policies within his/her work areas and expertise
  • Represent ECOS with the European Commission, the United Nations and other international organisations, on standardisation and environmental policy issues
  • Lead ECOS positioning on transparency and effective participation in the standardisation system at national, European, and international level
  • Contribute to the implementation of ECOS’ Strategic Plan, in particular as it relates to national, EU and international engagement and stakeholders
  • Undertake information sharing tools, and training for ECOS staff, members and experts on standardisation, including:
    • the organisation of the ECOS Annual Expert Training programme & material
    • develop, manage & implement an onboarding programme for staff
  • To participate in (organisational) development and fundraising activities, support the development of relationships with funders, member organisations and partners and contribute to raising the profile and visibility of the organisation.
  • To assist with the development of updates, briefings, and publications for the different target audiences of the organisation
  • To provide support to the Executive Director, and to coordinate additional activities as requested by the Executive Director

 

Person-specification

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes:

  • 7+ years of experience working in the non-profit sector and personal commitment to environmental causes including demonstrable success leading campaigns or programmes that influence environmental policies and/or regulations
  • University degree in relevant discipline
  • Good understanding of or interest in technical work and/or standardisation processes especially of the European standardisation organisations CEN and CENELEC, and their international counterparts ISO and IEC
  • Experience of working within, alongside or otherwise influencing the European Commission
  • Ability to represent ECOS in meetings with internal and external stakeholders
  • Commitment to the values, vision, and mission of environmental NGOs
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a proven team player
  • Problem-solving attitude, results-oriented, attention to detail, initiative and self-motivating;
  • Ability to function well under pressure, prioritise and deal with a high number of demands
  • Excellent command of spoken and written English

Desirable

  • A detailed understanding and experience of the European or international standardisation systems or a closely related area

What we offer

  • An open-ended Belgian contract with a competitive salary package including additional benefits (meal vouchers, pension scheme, 13th month, insurances, public transport, eco-cheques) depending on skills and experience, according to the ECOS salary scale
  • A dynamic international working environment
  • Being part of a dedicated team whose common goal it is to protect the environment;
  • A very pleasant working environment

How to apply

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job advert page and complete the online application form.

https://oxfordhr.co.uk/jobs/policy-director/

Please provide a CV and cover letter in ONE single document, which should be prepared before applying as they will be requested in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (yymm) e.g: Pat-Jones-CVandStatement-2007.

The first round of interviews will take place remotely on a rolling basis so please submit your application earlier if possible. Due to the expected interest in this position we regret that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Selection process

All candidates will be notified about the status of their applications. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview.

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email ecos@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

ECOS is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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