Policy Manager (Decarbonisation)

Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,664km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.

Over 720,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs.

The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy, including 40% of all heating and almost 50% of the country’s electricity generation.

By working to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and green hydrogen, and complementing intermittent renewable electricity, Gas Networks Ireland is supporting Ireland’s journey to a cleaner energy future.

The Role:

The Regulation function is responsible for ensuring Gas Networks Ireland is compliant with all its regulatory obligations in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and in the UK. It is also responsible for the operation and development of the retail and wholesale gas markets in the Republic of Ireland in conjunction with the CRU and market participants. The Regulatory Framework function includes Regulatory Affairs, Wholesale Market, European Affairs and Policy.

Reporting to the EU Affairs and Policy Manager, the Policy Manager (Decarbonisation) will analyse energy market sectors and engage with key national stakeholder to influence and drive national energy policy. The Policy Manager (Decarbonisation) will lead development of key policy consultations within GNI.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead analysis of energy market trends and national decarbonisation policies.
• Develop insights from the above analysis and propose conclusions and recommendations and defend those recommendations.
• Identify what policies (at both Irish and European level) are needed to support GNI’s strategy to 2050.
• Develop appropriate policy responses to national and European consultations.
• Engage with key stakeholders at a national level to influence and shape energy policy, as appropriate. This includes participation in relevant national energy associations and working groups such as Ibec, Chambers Ireland and the ESRI.
• Engage and collaborate with core internal business functions including Strategy, Public Affairs and Business Development/Innovation.
• Develop messaging communications materials on key policy issues.
• Attend and present (as appropriate) at national conferences, seminars, workshops etc.
• Support and advise Regulatory Framework management, as appropriate in preparation for and participation in national Government committees, conferences etc.
• Support the Policy Team and Regulatory Framework in preparation for key national stakeholder and shareholder engagement on national policy matters.
• Represent GNI at key national external fora as necessary.
• Be a national expert on low carbon energy market developments and trends, including decarbonisation pathways, the role of renewable gases and energy system integration, and utilize this knowledge as required.
• Act as a point of escalation for queries for all parts of the business engaged in shaping national energy policy.
• Develop and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Other duties as required from time to time.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 7-10 years relevant experience in senior policy and analysis roles working in large-scale, complex organisations.
• Qualified to Degree level. A qualification in energy and/or policy would be desirable.
• Ability to thrive in a constantly changing environment.
• Proven ability to develop effective cross-functional relationships with the business to accomplish objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement experience.
• Proven ability to identify future policy needs and propose recommendations.
• Ability to analyse complex business problems and develop and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Expert business acumen to understand the impact of decisions to the wider organisation.
• Ability to drive change and continuous improvement by identifying the organisational and cultural changes needed to adapt strategically to changing market demand, technology and internal initiatives.
• Prioritise tasks, manage and deliver high-quality work within timelines.
• Work on own initiative but also as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will be a natural communicator with the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

 

Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email: recruit@gasnetworks.ie

The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the

10^th of July 2024.

Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.

Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.

 

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