Hiring as soon as possible; location Berlin

This ad will remain open until we have found a suitable candidate

1. Background

The Renewables Grid Initiative is a unique collaboration of NGOs and transmission system operators (TSOs) from across Europe engaging in an ‘energy transition ecosystem-of-actors’. We promote fair, transparent, sustainable grid development to enable the growth of renewables to achieve full decarbonisation in line with the Paris Agreement.

At RGI, we are convinced that the energy, climate and biodiversity crises can and should be tackled in parallel and in this context, we are increasing the number of activities related to the protection and restoration of nature in connection with the energy transition, in particular the deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) and electricity grids in both, on land and in the offshore environment.

In 2020, RGI established the multi-stakeholder platform “Offshore Coalition for Energy and Nature” (OCEaN) which, as of today, consists of 37 organisations representing NGOs, the wind industry and TSOs active in the North and Baltic seas. OCEaN’s main objective is to find sustainable solutions to speed up and scale offshore wind and grid infrastructure developments hand in hand with the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. Based on the successful experience of the North and Baltic seas, in 2023 RGI established a Mediterranean chapter – Med OCEaN.

We are seeking a resourceful manager to work on sustainability aspects related to the planning and deployment of offshore wind and grid infrastructure within marine ecosystems. The ideal candidate will combine a strong foundation in environmental science and marine governance with a keen interest in engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, including those from industry, NGOs, and the non-profit sector. This role involves leading constructive and productive discussions to develop shared principles, practices, and solutions.

1. Specific tasks

The Environmental Manager, depending on experience, will contribute to or lead OCEaN’s work by covering the following tasks:

• Project Management: Manage RGI's contributions to EU-funded projects on Nature-Inclusive Design for wind and grid infrastructure, ensuring successful delivery of objectives and timelines, and alignment with OCEaN’s activities.
• Research and Scientific Validation: Support the development of and/or validate effective environmental approaches to accelerate and scale up offshore wind and grid infrastructure across all EU sea basins, within the scope of OCEaN’s work.
• Content Creation: Transform scientific content into engaging articles, stories, and presentations to inform and inspire a wide range of audiences, including but not limited to discussion and position papers.
• Events and Communication: Assist in organising both online and in-person expert events related, but not limited to, Nature-Inclusive Design activities, as well as with standard communication and dissemination tasks (website content, newsletters, social media).
• Database Management: Assist in maintaining and updating the OCEaN Energy and Nature Database.
• Advocacy Support: Contribute to relevant advocacy efforts, including the drafting of joint statements and recommendations for policymakers.
• Fundraising and reporting support: Contribute to the drafting of grant proposals and periodic reports.
• Partnership and Networks Development: Build and strengthen partnerships and collaborations with academic institutions, EU-funded projects, EU agencies, regional environmental cooperations across all EU sea basins, and other organisations focused on reconciling offshore wind and grid infrastructure with nature conservation and restoration goals.
• Synergy building: Create synergies with other environmental activities at RGI, particularly those focused on identifying effective restoration and mitigation practices on land, as well as with RGI’s international projects, such as the Global Initiative for Nature, Grids and Renewables (GINGR).

1. Qualifications and skills

Candidates should have:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Natural and Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology, Marine Governance, or related field.
• Documented experience of at least five years working in relevant domain (e.g., renewable energy, blue economy, maritime spatial planning, sensitivity mapping, etc.).
• Experience working in international and interdisciplinary environments is an asset.
• An understanding of energy and environmental policies at the EU level, as well as an understanding of the different groups of stakeholders and their positions in the European environment.
• Proven experience in project management, including the ability to work on multiple parallel tasks.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently and to structure own work.
• Ability and willingness to work closely with other team members and collaborate on other RGI relevant projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, proven by an internationally recognised English test or at least five years of work experience in English. Fluency in other European languages is also an asset.

1. What we offer

• We work in a field that is tackling the triple crisis of energy security, climate change and biodiversity loss with member organisations and team members that are truly committed to the cause.
• We are operating at the heart of an exciting industry that is currently undergoing a massive transformation.
• We are an international, diverse and interactive team, continuously creating something new.
• We work with a broad group of stakeholders at the European and international levels.
• We work at the interface of corporate energy, non-governmental organisations and policymaking.

1. Your application

Please address your application to Antonella Battaglini, RGI’s CEO. Include a CV, answer to the two questions under item 6, below, and a letter of motivation (1 page maximum) indicating your expected salary and state your earliest available starting date. Applications should be sent by email to jobs@renewables-grid.eu.

The starting date for this position is as soon as possible. The initial contract duration is two years with possibility of extension depending on the availability of funds. This is an in-person position based at RGI’s office in Berlin.

Please note that only candidates who meet the required qualifications will receive feedback on their application. Only complete applications will be considered.

1. Questions
2. Please review this infographic. How would you define Nature-Inclusive Design (NID) in the context of offshore wind and grid infrastructure? What are the limitations of NID? (Max. half page).
3. Please describe the most pressing environmental challenges of offshore wind and grid expansion and how a collaborative process can contribute to its development (max. half a page).