Agora Energiewende is looking for a Programme Lead Power Grid Modernisation and Electrification

Agora Energiewende

Are you passionate about making power grids an enabler of the energy transition? Are you well-versed in the technical, economic, and regulatory challenges and solutions of power grid transformation? Are you a dynamic leader with international managerial experience, inspiring others with your inclusive and positive approach?

Then, this is your position!

The rapid growth of renewable energy, battery solutions, and electrified applications is reshaping power systems globally. This shift requires developing new grid planning and operational practices, boosting flexible end-use electrification, and establishing digital metering and device interoperability standards. New solutions are also needed to maintain system stability with high shares of inverter-based resources, while growing infrastructure complexity requires novel approaches to data security and resilience.

This transformation and modernisation of the power grid demands significant technical and regulatory innovations. This is where we come in. As an evidence-based think tank with around 180 employees across four locations worldwide, Agora Think Tanks provides expert analyses that accurately describe the challenges and solutions (technical, economic, regulatory, and political) of the energy transition. We combine research, dialogue, and public relations in our daily work, collaborating closely with partners in numerous countries. Importantly, we operate independently, free from economic or party-political interests.

Your responsibilities include

• Shaping the strategic and programmatic work of Agora Energiewende on power grid modernisation and transformation, with an emphasis on topics related to grid planning and operation (at both the transmission and distribution levels), technical connection standards, tariffs design, impact of end-use electrification on distribution networks, and stability and security in power systems with very high shares of renewables;

• Initiating and coordinating relevant research projects, moderating internal and external discussion processes, and communicating the results to key stakeholders and the public;

• Building, consolidating and disseminating knowledge on power grid modernization within Agora Think Tanks and its partners through trainings, lectures, workshops.

• Advising decision-makers in Agora’s target countries.

• Representing Agora Energiewende on the topic of power grids modernisation.

• Line managing a diverse and international team with a prospective 5-6 colleagues.

• Managing the programme's budgets and acquiring additional funding in the field of power grids and electrification.

• Collaborating closely with colleagues from other teams and partner organization to integrate the technical, regulatory, and political discussions around grid modernisation, and cross-sectoral aspects, in all geographies where Agora operates.

What we offer

• The opportunity to work in this strategically important position, in a committed team on an essential task for the future.

• A diverse and international working environment in a cooperative working atmosphere with flat communication and decision-making hierarchies.

• An attractive workplace in the centre of Berlin, Brussels or Bangkok and the option of hybrid working with good digital facilities.

• Opportunities for professional and personal development.

• Entitlement to a number of paid leave days significantly higher than the statutory entitlement (exact amount depends on country of employment).

• Support with visa and work permit applications (if required); and

• A permanent employment contract.

We are looking for

• You are a dynamic leader with a motivating personality, inspiring those around you to collectively work towards ambitious goals through your integrative and collaborative approach.

• You are deeply familiar with the relevant issues of power grid modernization and transformation, with an emphasis on topics related to grid planning and operation (at both the transmission and distribution levels), technical connection standards, tariffs design, impact of end-use electrification on distribution networks, and stability and security in power systems with very high shares of renewables.

• You have a robust network in the energy sector, encompassing stakeholders from the power system and from end-use sectors (transport, building, industry), and are familiar with regulatory and political processes.

• You bring at least 12 years of relevant professional experience and have several years of experience leading teams, maintaining a collaborative leadership style appropriate for a think tank.

• Management experience

• A creative mind, capable of developing impactful new ideas and proposals, and able to design and steer complex analytic research projects through to delivery.

• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, with a track-record of producing high quality documents.

• Fluent in written and spoken English; proficiency in German and other languages is an advantage.

We assume that there are excellent candidates for the job who do not meet all the criteria in the description. Maybe you have certain skills we haven’t thought of yet? Tell us why you are the right person for the job.

How to apply

Does our job advertisement appeal to you?

Then we look forward to receiving your application by 5th of January, 2025 via our website at https://www.agora-energiewende.org/about-us/careers-at-agora-energiewende

For reasons of objectivity, we ask that you refrain from submitting an application photo.

We want an energy transition for everyone from everyone. Therefore, we are particularly pleased to receive applications from people from groups that have been underrepresented in energy policy so far. We welcome applications regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability and age, and sexual orientation. Our offices are not completely barrier-free, but we are open to find individual solutions.

As part of this, we are soliciting anonymous information on a voluntary basis regarding our applicant’s backgrounds. This information will be used only to inform future recruitment strategies and will not impact hiring decisions in any form. Your input will not be forwarded to third parties and will not be used in connection with your application.

Please follow this link to participate in the survey.

https://limes.sefep.eu/index.php/833735?lang=en

Personal contact for the position

If you have any questions, please contact Fatima Saleh at fatima.saleh@agora-thinktanks.org