Economics and Markets Policy Officer

VACANCY: Economics and Markets Policy Officer

SALARY: £28,000

LOCATION: Glasgow / Hybrid

CONTRACT: Full-time

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so early application is advised. The closing date is Monday, December 09, 2024.

To apply for this role, please specify in the subject header which role you are applying for and email recruitment@scottishrenewables.com:

1. Your CV (max 2 sides A4)
2. A cover letter (max 1 side A4, using Arial font, size 10) setting out your suitability for this role.

Scottish Renewables is the voice of Scotland’s renewable energy industry. Our vision is for Scotland to lead the world in renewable energy. A member-led trade body, we represent more than 360 organisations working across a wide range of renewable energy technologies in Scotland and worldwide. Our members deliver low-carbon energy, investment and jobs, providing the bedrock to the new, smart, green economy. Scottish Renewables works to influence government policy, to grow Scotland’s renewable energy sector and sustain its position at the forefront of the global clean energy industry.

We are seeking an organised, self-starting Economics and Markets Policy Officer to join our policy team to support our work shaping and influencing renewable energy investment policy and electricity market design. This post would suit a recent graduate or individual seeking to transition into a sustainability career.

The UK is at a pivotal moment in deciding its future electricity market design. Policymakers must address the twin challenges of unlocking the massive investment required to reach renewable energy targets while ensuring market arrangements are appropriate for an increasingly renewables-based electricity system. There is an increasing need to ensure that electricity markets work in harmony with rapidly evolving reforms to planning and grid connections. There are also growing efforts, including new public finance schemes and supply chain focused policy initiatives, to ensure that the deployment of renewable energy delivers the maximum economic impact in Scotland and the UK.

SR is seeking an Economics and Markets Policy Officer to support our Head of Economics and Markets. Together you will work across this complex and dynamic policy landscape to ensure that electricity market design and policy enables and captures the economic benefits of renewable energy deployment in Scotland. With reforms in progress across many policy areas, there is an increasing need to engage with key stakeholders to ensure that SR remains the leading voice of Scotland’s renewable energy industry.

The post holder will report to Scottish Renewable’s Head of Economics and Markets and will work to support the wider policy team as necessary.

We anticipate this role being full-time, but part-time and flexible arrangements would potentially be considered for the right candidate.

Overview of role

Reporting to the Head of Economics and Markets, the Economics and Markets Policy Officer assists with the development of Scottish Renewables’ policy positions across the areas of economics and markets. The purpose of this work is to create the conditions for the sustainable growth of Scotland’s renewable energy industry and communicate these effectively to key policy and regulatory decision makers.

Responsibilities

Policy development and advocacy

• Assist Scottish Renewables’ work on the economics of renewable energy and electricity market arrangements. This includes supporting:
• building an understanding of the current position of the sector,
• identifying where the sector needs to be in the longer term and,
• working with members to plan work programmes that will bring this about.
• Support the Head of Economics and Markets in developing in-house expertise on economics and markets policy in Scotland and the UK, plus the wider European and global context in which it sits.
• Assist in the monitoring and influencing relevant legislative, regulatory and policy measures to create the optimum environment for the growth and development of the renewables industry in Scotland.
• Support the development of Scottish Renewables’ policy and positions on economic and market issues.
• Assist the Head of Economics and Markets in advising and advocating policy positions to relevant authorities (including government departments, agencies and regulators), and support key partners to deliver Scottish Renewables’ policy objectives.
• Assist in providing analysis of, and advising on, the course of action in response to developments in economics and markets.
• Working closely with our Communications team, assist the development and dissemination of compelling messages, briefings and other communications for key audiences.
• Assist the Head of Economics and Markets in developing and managing relevant project work, including commissioning consultancy work where required.

Member engagement, communication and relationship management

• Assist the Head of Economics and Markets to communicate and consult with Scottish Renewables’ members to develop policy, coordinate responses to consultations, provide industry and policy information and disseminate policy positions.
• Support the Head of Economics and Markets to manage Scottish Renewables’ relevant member forums, and associated advisory groups, to inform and guide the organisation’s policy work.

Stakeholder liaison and communication

• Support the Head of Economics and Markets to build, maintain and manage relationships, and coordinate our work with members, the wider industry, key partners and stakeholders.
• Support the Head of Economics and Markets to promote Scottish Renewables and its policy positions through attendance and participation at conferences and other external events.
• Support the Head of Economics and Markets to represent Scottish Renewables in meetings with stakeholder groups.

Business development and member services

• Assist the Head of Economics and Markets to undertake content development for the Scottish Renewables’ policy conference and seminar programme relating to economics and markets.
• Assist the Head of Economics and Markets to promote Scottish Renewables to prospective members, e.g. through networking, meetings and producing a high standard of policy outputs/ outcomes.
• Work constructively with other Scottish Renewables staff, partners and members to develop initiatives that contribute to SR’s commercial objectives.
• Any other tasks as directed by the Head of Economics and Markets, Director of Offshore or Chief Executive.

Essential Criteria & Skills

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Experience of writing clear, articulate reports or briefings.
• An organised, diligent and accurate approach to organising data, administrative tasks and diary management.

Skills and competencies

• A commitment to the growth of renewable energy in Scotland.
• Passion and enthusiasm to the role and its exciting challenges.
• The ability to quickly and confidently grasp the detail of complex issues, while not losing sight of the bigger picture.
• Confident, compelling communication and presentation skills and a very high standard of written English.
• Effective time management, dealing with numerous demands from internal and external stakeholders.
• Flexible and responsive team player with strong customer/client service ethic.
• Critical thinker and resourceful problem solver with an inquisitive mind-set.
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.
• Good computer skills, including the use of common office software packages, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases and communications software.

Desirable but not essential

• An understanding of investment incentives and market dynamics.
• Some knowledge of renewable energy technologies and the renewable energy policy landscape in the UK and Scotland.
• Some knowledge of the Scottish and UK parliamentary and government processes through which legislation, regulation and fiscal policy that impact renewable energy development in Scotland.
• Experience working with a membership or representative organisation or stakeholder engagement.
• Experience working at and delivering customer / client-facing events.
• Experience in drafting meeting agendas/minutes and note-taking.