Consultant, Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform, EU institutions and Member States

Overview

The Coalition on Phasing Out Fossil Fuel Incentives Including Subsidies (COFFIS) is a group of 17 countries working to advance Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) through the phase-out of domestic subsidies and coordinated international engagement. Fossil fuel subsidies remain at historically high levels in Europe and globally. In addition to reducing emissions, FFSR can help create fiscal space in national budgets, strengthen energy security by encouraging a more diversified energy mix, and contribute to a level playing field across industrial sectors.

An EU contact group on fossil fuel subsidy reform was launched in 2025. IISD, in its role as the secretariat of COFFIS, facilitates the work of this group, supporting strategic engagement with EU policy processes related to FFSR.

The consultant will provide technical research and policy advice to support FFSR within the EU, with a particular focus on practical legal and policy options that can be adopted by EU institutions and member states. Achieving policy reform requires strong connections across EU institutions. The consultant will interact directly with key stakeholders to advance the coalitions objectives, including organizing.  Due to the importance stakeholders engagement, the consultant will need to be based in Brussels. 

The consultant will report to the Manager of the COFFIS Secretariat and will coordinate closely with the International Strategies team within IISD’s Energy Program.

 Qualifications 

Minimum 7 years of experience working in international policy policymaking or influencing.  

Proven ability to establish relationships with government stakeholders, in order to discuss policy reform.

Experience in European law and policy process related to the areas of Energy, Climate and Transport, such as the Governance Regulation and NECPs, as well as strong knowledge about European institutions and their ways of working.

Confident and engaging communication skills.

Excellent research and writing skills, including proven experience designing and carrying out policy-oriented research with minimum supervision.

Ability to work independently to produce analysis and writing that is “publication ready” with a limited degree of oversight and editing.

Working fluency in English. Working ability in French is considered an asset.

Position details

Employment type: Independent Contractor, part time

Location: Brussel, Belgium

Start Date: ASAP

End Date: 3 months, possibility of extension

Compensation: The applicant is requested to indicate expected compensation levels in their application.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Brussels without any sponsorship from IISD.

Application deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026

Application Process

All applications must be submitted in English. 

To apply for this consultancy, please send:

A CV (no longer than two pages)

A one-page letter of motivation

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.  

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants’ advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply. 

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.