Opportunity!
Are you someone who wants to make a difference on climate, knows the steel sector and excels in analysing data and trends? Come and apply your proven analytical skills and steel sector knowledge to driving down emissions of the sector, currently responsible for over 7% of annual GHG emissions. This is a fantastic opportunity for an analyst who wants to use their technical skills to foster change, in a sector that is just waking up to its role in a decarbonised future.
The role: We seek a steel analyst to work in our growing SteelWatch team, which is striving to transform the steel industry. Your analysis of data and interpretation of industry trends will inform our campaign demands, communication messages and our choice of tactics to drive change. Your skills will underpin the work of the world’s first international climate campaign non-profit focused exclusively on steel.
This role can be located in Europe or Asia. We particularly seek applicants from across Asia, with the exception of India and China where we are unable to set up contracts at this time.
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The organization: SteelWatch is a new international civil society organisation, driving corporate accountability in the steel sector and urgent climate action. Our vision is a steel sector that underpins a thriving zero emissions economy and is on track for a 1.5 degree warming trajectory this side of 2030. We are registered in the Netherlands and work internationally, currently mainly in Europe and East Asia. We complement the work of other civil society change-makers bringing a vigilant voice, corporate scrutiny and a willingness to challenge.
The Role: The Steel Analyst will provide core expertise on decarbonisation in the steel sector, underpinning the campaign and communications work of the rest of the SteelWatch team, and supporting work of allies. There are two elements to this newly-created role:
1. Synthesising and working with existing data sets generated by others to draw out implications that inform SteelWatch strategy and generate the key facts or comparisons that SteelWatch can use to drive change.
2. Providing intelligence and interpretation of changes within the steel sector and what companies are saying, to help the team to react most effectively to what is said and done.
The purpose of the role is to enable SteelWatch to effectively challenge corporate actors for faster and deeper steel decarbonisation, based on sound understanding of what is credible action and what is needed for a liveable planet. At this early stage in our development, the role underpins the emerging strategy and voice of SteelWatch as the organisation becomes established and effective.
Responsibilities:
There are two core parts of this role: analyzing data and interpreting steel industry shifts. The balance will vary over time, and will also vary with the level of experience of the successful candidate. Someone with fewer years experience will start with more of the first (data work) and grow into the second. Someone with a longer track record in steel will be able to do more of the second, and in due course guide others to do the first.
1. Working with data on steel and emissions;
Data analysis: Actively monitor and analyse existing data sets in relation to steel, in collaboration with key CSO partners (eg GEM Blast Furnace Tracker, Agora Transition Tracker, IEA updates)
Identify the implications of the data for action: where new gaps or shifts are revealed that SteelWatch should focus on.
Synthesise and interpret the data to generate facts, statistics and graphs that underpin SteelWatch campaigns and communications. This could include emissions from blast furnaces, emissions of particular companies, how far off track the sector is, comparisons between countries or companies.
2. Intelligence and interpretation of steel industry trends and messages:
Provide intelligence to the team on steel industry trends, particularly blockers to steel decarbonisation and opportunities that are opening up
Analyse and interpret announcements by steel companies or trade bodies, distinguishing between those that are genuine steps forward, and those that are simply hiding lack of genuine action. Help teams craft messages (sometimes rapidly) in response to new announcements.
Guide SteelWatch in navigating the gap between what is feasible and what is needed, so that we are both credible and ambitious.
3. Team and ally engagement;
Work closely with the manager of the European corporate campaign database, contributing new information to keep the database up to date, and ensure SteelWatch and allies make effective use of the database..
Work closely with partners on the data and datasets that they produce (e.g. Global Energy Monitor, Transition Zero, ClimateTrace, Transition Asia)
Commission research inputs if needed.
Work closely with colleagues in SteelWatch on campaigns, comms and fundraising to provide the facts and analysis needed in ways that enable all in the team to do high quality accurate work. Help colleagues develop their knowledge of steel.
Actively help build a thriving team culture and team collaboration as SteelWatch grows in size and diversity, including development and engagement in remote working practices, training, retreats, and development of team culture.
About you – essential qualities you need
Enthusiasm to use your technical skills and knowledge to strengthen change-making and campaigning activities of the team.
Healthy skepticism of corporate statements, recognising the agendas at play, and ability to read behind the headlines.
Enthusiasm to work with colleagues who bring quite different skills and expertise, and many of whom are on a learning curve about steel.
Perhaps you yourself have shifted disciplines, or are looking to shift your career track.
Proven track record as a team player, able to work well with colleagues across cultures and geographies
Comfortable working with fluidity and the flexibility of a start-up organization, able to work independently and able to adapt to team priorities, committed to investing in strengthening the organisation.
Ability to work early or late hours on some days to overlap with other time zones and to travel at least twice per year
Essential skills and experience
Applicants with a proven track record, several years experience working in steel, and a demonstrated mastery of industry trends globally, will be considered for a senior role in the organisation. We will also consider, for entry at a more junior level, applicants with less experience but who will grow as the core steel expert.
The essential skills below are needed for either.
At least 3-5 years’ experience (and possibly much more) in fields such as engineering, energy-system modelling, environmental economics, industrial decarbonisation, analysis of energy, metallurgy or industry. This experience may be in post-graduate studies, industry, consulting, government or non-profit sectors.
Some direct experience of work in the steel sector, in adjacent industries, or research focused on the steel sector
Excellent research and analysis skills, including quantitative analysis of data and large data sets, and ability to work with GHG emissions data.
Excellent skills in identifying the ‘so what’ of the data; proven ability to interpret data.
An eye for detail to ensure data is accurate, comparable, well-referenced, and is used and interpreted correctly.
Ability to convey the data implications and message in easily understandable graphs and presentations
Ability to track multiple sources of information, stay up to date on steel industry trends and identify significance.
Awareness of the geographical contours and differences in the steel sector, and their implications for driving change.
Knowledge of decarbonisation strategies in steel or other industries
Desired skills and experience
Knowledge of steel in multiple geographies
Ability to collaborate with effectively with a wide variety of audiences from analysts to communication experts and campaigners
Proven strong organisational skills to coordinate multiple inputs and manage different deadlines, working on immediate tasks as well as longer pieces of work.
Direct experience inside a corporate or focused on corporate strategies
Languages, particularly Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or other Asian languages
Demonstrated ability to think both strategically and creatively
Additional information:
Location: Position is remote but you would require a valid working permit for the location where the work is performed and will be on an employment contract in that country. SteelWatch is unable to support any visa application process.
The work is mainly remote with some face to face depending on location. The working hours are flexible. Team members are located in Japan, UK, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands and as the team grows, we will continue to be internationally spread. So there will be some early mornings or evenings with ability to adjust your weekly schedule accordingly, to enable interaction across the team and timezones. Travel will be required, to work with allies and meet the team face to face.
Terms: The role is expected to be long-term and managed via an Employer of Record. The initial contract will be for an initial 12 months, if feasible within local employment regulations.
Full-time/part-time: We are open to either full-time or part-time (at least 60%). Please specify your preference in your application, and if part-time state the number of days per week.
Equal opportunities: we strive to be an equal opportunities employer. We actively welcome applications from candidates from historically underrepresented groups in the climate change movement. If you require any adaptation or assistance during the application process, please let us know.
How to apply:
Send a cover letter (2 pages max), and a CV (3 pages max) to Caroline and Laura at opportunities@steelwatch.org. CVs submitted without a cover letter will not be reviewed.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please mention in your cover letter the country you will be working from (and if you have a valid working visa for that country), any salary expectation and availability to start in the role.
The latest deadline to submit your application is Tuesday 21st November 2023 (by midnight in Europe). First round interviews will be between November 30th and December 8th.