Our client is a non-profit, non-traditional, fact-based, environmental organisation who works to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid global development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies through research and analysis, public advocacy leadership, and partnership with the private sector. They imagine a world where the energy needs of all people are met efficiently without damaging the atmosphere.

— MISSION —

To lead the technical and policy analysis for the organisation’s bioenergy work from a land use perspective. This role fills a gap created by the concurrent expansion of the former Bioenergy Program into the current Land & Climate Program (which has three pillars – bioenergy, land-based carbon management, and land use and infrastructure).

— RESPONSIBILITIES —

• Serve as the organisation’s bioenergy expert in the US, EU, and other regions;
• Define and advance R&D, investments, or policies to support land-use safeguards for bioenergy feedstock harvesting. This could include methods for parcel registration, use of landsat or other remote sensing technologies to monitor removals by parcel, and innovative means for tracking biomass through supply chains from field/forest to end use;
• Participate in national bioenergy coalitions;
• Review and comment on sign-on letters related to the national biomass energy policies for electricity, thermal applications, and biofuels;
• Provide technical input on bills with bioenergy-related provisions in state and federal legislation and policies such as state climate action plans, federal legislation with biomass implications (e.g., tax incentives for biomass energy with CCS), and biomass/biogas targets in EU and country-level plans;
• Review GHG accounting and life-cycle methodologies for bioenergy applications, make recommendations for how to improve or reconcile existing methodologies to account for direct and indirect land use change;
• Develop a typology of BECCS applications (feedstock types, technical processes, and end uses) and compile information on life-cycle emissions for each application as available, define gaps and research needs for other areas;
• Work with policy and advocacy teams to develop and implement policy strategy for safeguards;
• Work with the communications team to format, post, and amplify reports.

— REQUIREMENTS —

• Masters or PhD in ecosystem ecology, terrestrial ecology, energy systems analysis or similar
• Very strong Life-cycle analysis skills
• 3 years of policy experience
• Coalition experience
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Comfortable working remotely but also happy to travel when necessary (not often)
• Political bi-partisan coalition experience a plus

This is an excellent opportunity to join a fast expanding global organisation and to make an impact (in every meaning of the word!) in an organisation that has a purpose that could not be more meaningful…

Please submit your application via the following email address: careers@executivesurf.com quoting the job title in the subject.