Policy officer (ETS/industrial decarbonisation/steel sector)

Job Description

Carbon Market Watch's mission is to ensure that carbon pricing and other climate policies cut pollution and drive a just transition towards sustainable societies. Given the urgency of halting the climate breakdown, we want market-based climate policies to fulfil their promise and be used in a wise combination with regulatory and incentivising measures.

Our strengths lie in evidence-based advocacy to improve climate policies, turning complex issues into understandable messages, and helping people influence those policies.

Purpose of the position

We seek an analytical, strategic and enthusiastic policy officer to support our work on the European carbon market, with a particular focus on the decarbonisation of the steel industry.

The position will have a strong focus on political advocacy, policy analysis, research and stakeholder coordination. The policy officer will report to a thematic lead in the policy team while working closely with our industrial decarbonisation expert, data analyst, and the rest of CMW's EU policy team and communications team.

The policy officer will be based in Belgium and work partly from our office in Brussels and remotely from a Belgian residence.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Monitor and analyse relevant climate policy developments and identify policy recommendations
• Write, edit and disseminate information, including research, briefings, and news articles
• Dig deep into technical and complex policy and industry issues, such as ETS steel benchmarks
• Coordinate policy positions and campaign strategies with other NGOs and network partners
• Liaise and interact with relevant stakeholders like decision-makers, business and industry representatives, researchers and funders
• Organise events, webinars and other outreach activities
• Actively support and contribute to Carbon Market Watch's fundraising efforts and reporting requirements

Professional and Personal Attributes

Successful candidates will have a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, but applications from outstanding candidates with less experience will also be considered.

Ideal candidates should have the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Required:

• A strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development
• Knowledge of international and/or European political institutions and policymaking
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills, drafting of briefing papers and experience with climate change policy analysis
• Ease with research projects and organising analytical processes
• Ability to work independently and flexibly with team members
• Ability and willingness to build networks among a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent communication, writing and organisational skills
• Fully proficient spoken and written English. Other languages are an advantage
• Residence in Belgium and ability to work in/from our office in Brussels (generally two days per week combined with home-working

Desirable:

• Expertise in and technical knowledge of the EU steel sector
• Expertise in at least two of the following fields: carbon pricing, compliance carbon markets, industrial decarbonisation strategies
• Experience of working in a relevant research or advocacy role (industry, think-tank, NGOs)
• Proven experience in writing and editing policy and communication outputs, and adapting messages to different audiences (political, technical, media).

What we offer

• This post is fundamentally a part-time position (50%) but can be supplemented to 80-100% (please state your preference in your application). The employment contract would be for initially one year under Belgian law with the possibility of extension to a permanent contract
• A competitive remuneration package in line with Brussels NGO standards: salary starting from ???4,087.88 (for 3 years of relevant experience) gross/month (based on full-time employment), 13th month, meal vouchers, mobile phone package, public transport monthly allowance, travel insurance covering work and private travel, home-working allowance, and five days extra-legal holidays and 4-5 days office closure at end of December.
• As part of our benefits, you'll be eligible for a private supplementary pension plan. CMW and employees each contribute 2% of monthly gross salary, enhancing long-term retirement savings.
• An exciting opportunity to work with a dynamic, friendly, expert team

Application process

Qualified applicants should send their motivation letter and CV, both in a single pdf document clearly marked with their name, to this link. The application should outline your motivation, skills, areas of interest and availability.

Deadline to submit your application: 31 May 2026. First (online) interviews will take place in the week of 8 June. Second (in-person) interviews will take place in the week of 15 June. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and applicants must refrain from contacting staff during the recruitment process unless shortlisted.

Please do not use AI-generated text. Your application will be read by humans.

We treat your application confidentially and respect the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in collecting your personal data. Your application will be automatically acknowledged, but we will not respond to individual enquiries and will only get back to candidates for an interview.

CMW is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or any other dimension of diversity.

We do require candidates to have the right to work in the EU (specifically in Belgium) because work permit applications are too cumbersome and unpredictable. Candidates must live in Belgium or be willing to relocate by the start date.