Head of Secretariat – Global Offshore Wind Alliance | CONCITO

Head of Secretariat – Global Offshore Wind Alliance
Job i CONCITO 31. oktober 2024 Ansøgningsfrist 18. november 2024 Do you have an exceptional track record in offshore wind and international affairs? Are you motivated by building up and leading a small and lean secretariat of a growing global multi-stakeholder alliance in offshore wind? We are searching for a Head of Secretariat for the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA). GOWA was co-founded by Denmark, IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) and GWEC (Global Wind Energy Council) and launched at COP27 in 2022.

GOWA is a flagship, transformational, diplomatic initiative which aims to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind across geographies, acting as a global driving force for the uptake of offshore wind through political mobilisation and the creation of a global community of practice. The objective of GOWA is to contribute to achieving a total global offshore wind capacity of at least 380 GW by 2030 and a minimum of 2,000 GW by 2050.

GOWA’s vision is a world in which offshore wind makes a significant contribution to the energy transition and the achievement of the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degrees target and the UAE Consensus target of tripling the global renewable energy capacity by 2030, through large-scale renewable power generation benefitting regions, nations and critical sectors such as industry and transportation.

At the heart of GOWA is a commitment to public-private partnerships and working together as a multi-stakeholder alliance. GOWA combines high-level diplomatic mobilisation with specific and targeted activities and work streams aiming to share best practices and build up capacity across its members and geographies.

An independent small and lean secretariat for the alliance is now being established and hosted by CONCITO. In a first phase, the secretariat will be built up to comprise four staff members, including the Head of Secretariat and an employee foreseen to be employed at CONCITO in Copenhagen, while others are likely to be based in other locations.

The role as Head of Secretariat
As Head of Secretariat, you will drive the establishment of the GOWA Secretariat and the operationalization of the alliance. This is a senior position, and you are expected to bring solid experience in international affairs and offshore wind and possess strong leadership skills. Heading the GOWA Secretariat is a unique opportunity to build up and position GOWA as an initiative significantly accelerating the global deployment of offshore wind.

The Secretariat will be responsible for the development and delivery of GOWA’s strategic priorities and multi-year work plan based on the GOWA objectives and strategic direction from GOWA’s Co-Chairs and Steering Group.

GOWA has a significant role in convening governments, industry and other GOWA members and stakeholders to address the key barriers and bottlenecks to widespread offshore wind deployment. As Head of Secretariat, you will have considerable exposure to key international institutions and governments, as well as senior stakeholders within the wind industry and other private sector actors. The role may require frequent international travel.

Your duties include:

• Lead the development of the strategic priorities and objectives of GOWA, in collaboration with the GOWA co-chairs and following direction from the Steering Group and the broader GOWA membership.
• Design a multi-annual work plan in support of the implementation of the strategic priorities, outputs and activities of GOWA.
• Assume the responsibilities for the operations and organizational development of the Secretariat, including day-to-day management, preparation of Steering Group meetings, etc.
• Manage relations with the members of GOWA and wider stakeholders in collaboration with the GOWA co-chairs.
• Work with the co-chairs to develop a fundraising strategy to secure funding for the Secretariat, and be responsible for the budget and the reporting on progress and results.
• Lead the GOWA Secretariat team, including direct line management of the GOWA Secretariat staff employed by CONCITO, and ensure effective coordination with staff seconded or matrixed from co-founder organizations, building a unified and collaborative work environment.
• Act as senior spokesperson for GOWA, expected to represent the alliance in media and at high-level events and meetings, and liaise with stakeholders for communication purposes.
• Ensure regular reporting to and interaction with CONCITO as host organization on matters related to the administrative, legal and financial responsibility of the host.
• Other ad hoc duties as required to support the GOWA Secretariat.

Your profile:

• A master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field, and a minimum of 10-15 years of relevant experience in international organizations, ministries or government agencies, or non-governmental organizations.
• Strong understanding of political landscapes, international affairs and diplomacy, preferably in the field of offshore wind, renewable energy and/or climate change.
• Proven success in managing a secretariat or team, or in coordinating e.g. multi-stakeholder initiatives, and ability to exercise leadership in an inclusive manner across different competences and staff locations.
• Excellent collaborative skills and ability to represent GOWA with professionalism and diplomacy to GOWA members and other stakeholders, with great interest in engaging with the different geographies and constituencies of the GOWA membership.
• Structured approach and problem-solving skills and enthusiastic about assuming the responsibility of driving forward the initiative in collaboration with Co-chairs, Steering Group and the broader membership.
• Excellent language skills in English, preferably also in other languages, and experience in working in multi-cultural settings.
• Good public speaking, chairing and facilitation skills are essential.
• Constructive and diplomatic in the collaboration with both internal and external counterparts.

You can expect:

• An exciting, independent and leading role in a growing international alliance
• Large responsibility, heading the establishment and management of a small, international secretariat
• A job with influence and impact, contributing to driving climate action and the global energy transition through accelerated deployment of offshore wind.
• International outlook and partners from all over the world – from both governments, private sector, international organizations and NGOs.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment in CONCITO and supported by close interaction with GOWA Co-chairs
• A flexible, professional, and positive work environment at CONCITO that values wellbeing, a sound work/life balance and diversity.

Practicalities:
The position is full time with an initial duration of 2.5 years, with possibility of extension.

The position is based at CONCITO in Copenhagen.

CONCITO provides a supportive and flexible setting for the GOWA Secretariat’s operations, including with possibility of remote working arrangements: The specific balance of remote and in-office work will be agreed upon as part of the recruitment process, considering the preference of the successful candidate and the operational needs of the Secretariat.

The application deadline is November 18th.

Send your application in English to [email protected]. Write "Application for the position as Head of the GOWA Secretariat in CONCITO" in the subject field.

The recruitment committee will consist of representatives from CONCITO and the Co-founders of GOWA: IRENA, GWEC and the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities. When applying, you accept that your application letter, CV etc. will be shared with the committee in confidentiality.

The interviews will be conducted in English. The first interview will be held on-line in week 50 and the second interview in week 51 at CONCITO’s office in Copenhagen.

Questions related to the position can be directed to International Director, Jarl Krausing on phone +45 29896600 or email [email protected], and to Hanne Jersild, Chief Advisor, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities on +45 41723896 or email [email protected] .

CONCITO is Denmark's green think tank. Our purpose is to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the harmful effects of global warming. CONCITO means "I set in motion" in Latin, and that is what we want to do in the climate field. We are one of Denmark's largest green networks with more than 130 companies, researchers, organizations and individuals as members. We believe that climate policy goals can only be achieved through partnerships between politicians, business, and citizens - state, market, and civil society. That is why all sectors are represented in the think tank. We believe that climate problems must be solved internationally, but that Denmark and the Nordic region should take the lead.