Energy Charter Fellowship Programme 2017, Belgium

Energy Charter Fellowship Programme

The Energy Charter Secretariat has opened a call for a research fellowship. Interested candidates who fit the eligibility criteria as clearly indicated in the Terms of Reference are invited to send their applications for, together with their CV and a cover letter, to fellowship@encharter.org by 31 August 2017 (17:00 Brussels time). Applications will be assessed upon receipt. The Energy Charter Secretariat reserves the right to end the vacancy earlier, in case a suitable candidate is selected.The call for one could be declared deserted if no suitable candidate is found.

Terms of Reference for the Energy Charter Fellowship Programme

The Secretariat may offer research fellowships for academics from educational institutions and think tanks to contribute to the work of the Energy Charter Secretariat on the study of topics where the Secretariat lacks the necessary in-house capacity or expertise. Their assignment to the Energy Charter Secretariat should be supported by their current employer.

An excellent knowledge of English, a strong educational background in their field of expertise and the ability to work within an international environment, are essential requirements.

Fellows are expected to produce a Final Report in English at the end of the fellowship and subsequently to deposit with the Energy Charter Secretariat any publication resulting from the work undertaken during their fellowship. Fellows are expected to present a seminar, if requested, and to engage appropriately in the Secretariat events. Any intellectual property rights remain with the Secretariat.

The length of a fellowship shall normally be three months. Fellowships may be extended up to six months if justified by the specific needs of the Energy Charter Secretariat, and based on performance criteria.

Fellows shall act impartially and shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or from any authority external to the Secretariat. While the Secretariat can provide visa support, the responsibility for obtaining the necessary residence permit rests with the Fellow, who shall be responsible for obtaining the necessary entry visa and/or residence permit, as well as appropriate health care insurance.

Fellows will be entitled to a monthly subsistence allowance of Euro 2,000 from the Secretariat, which is intended to cover living costs in Belgium. If the Final Report is deemed by the Secretariat to be of good publishable quality an additional lump sum of Euro 1,500 may be granted. Should the Fellow fail to submit a Final Report he or she will be required to reimburse 10% of the sum received. Travel expenses on taking up duty and on leaving will be covered by the Secretariat using the most economical means and route. Fellows continue to be employed by their academic institute during the fellowship period.

FELLOWSHIPS OFFERED

1. Energy Investment Risk Assessment

As a continuation of the pilot project on energy investment risk assessment (Activity 4 of the Programme of Work for 2016-17 and work priorities for 2017), the research fellow will assist the Secretariat in the preparation of a preliminary publication providing the assessment of legal and regulatory investment risks in the energy sector in selected countries. Based among others on public information, standard of international cooperation, national best practices, fact-finding missions and interviews, peer review of countries and other stakeholders, the research fellow, under the supervision of the Investment Experts of the Secretariat, will:

i) collect and review data on target countries in relation to: energy policy development and goals, decision-making processes, regulatory oversight and rule of law;

ii) interpret and validate data, analyse results using statistical techniques; develop and implement databases and other instruments in order to optimize statistical efficiency, quality and accessibility of data and information;

iii) draft country risk profiles and conduct a comparative assessment;

iv) conduct qualitative and quantitative assessment of gathered information with respect to investment risks and investment policies and on correlations between investment conditions and investment flows in energy sector in target countries;

v) formulate recommendations on risk mitigation, propose guidelines to improve investment determinants and reduce investment risks and barriers.

The research fellow will occasionally present the interim findings of the research project at the Energy Charter Implementation Group and support drafting process of the publication according to the current practices at the Secretariat.

A background on international economics, energy and/or investment law is preferable for this fellowship. Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail, accuracy and accessibility are required for this fellowship. Knowledge of Mandarin language would be an asset.

Duration of the fellowship: 3 months. Start of fellowship: mid September 2017.

For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.

Energy Charter Fellowship Programme 2017, Belgium

Deadline:

August 31, 2017

Disciplines:

Energy, Environmental Studies