Do you want to work for a greener Korea?

Recruitment for a full-time position as

Program Officer Ecology (Energy/Climate)

Who we are

The Heinrich Böll Foundation (hbs) is a political foundation with an affiliation to the German Green Party. Fostering democracy and upholding human rights, taking action to prevent the destruction of the global ecosystem, advancing equality between women and men, securing peace through con­flict prevention in crisis zones, and defending the freedom of individuals against excessive state and economic power – these are the objectives that drive the ideas and actions of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. We maintain close ties with the German Green Party (Alliance 90/The Greens) and as a think and do tank for green visions and projects, we are part of an international net­work encompassing well over 100 partner projects in approxi­mately 60 countries. The Heinrich Böll Foundation works independently and nurtures a spirit of intellectual openness.

The foundation is in the process of opening an office in Seoul, which will operate in the Koreas, Japan and possibly other countries in East Asia.

Who we are looking for

To organize and administer the ecology work of the office we are looking to hire a

Program Officer Ecology (Climate/Energy)

Roles include:

Building a network of partners and stakeholders on ecological topics with a special emphasis on climate change and energy policies.

Planning, implementing (incl. budget management and administration) and evaluating projects in the field of energy/climate. This includes projects run by the foundation as well as grants made to third parties.

Political advice on climate/energy topics in the Koreas and possibly other countries such as Japan and the wider region of East Asia to the Office Director, other parts of the foundation, Green politicians and other likeminded actors.

Reporting and analysis pertaining to your topics.

Contact with our HQ and our worldwide offices to shape the ecology work of the foundation together.

Willingness to travel in- and outside Korea.

What you should bring

We are looking for somebody who knows the ecological field (esp. in regard to energy and climate topics) in Korea and East Asia well! Possible topics include:

Climate change

Energy / transition to renewables

International climate protection mechanisms and conventions

You should know the most important players in civil society, research and possibly politics, and ideally, already have a good network. You should have a sharp mind and be able to produce top-notch analysis on the issue. Experience in project management is a key qualification! We are looking for somebody who thrives in teams, is willing to support others and believes that we can achieve a better world together. A keen interest in politics is a must!

Motivation is more important than job experience, but if you possess both, we will not complain! As this job includes administrative tasks, you should also be willing to handle those. You should have a fluent command of Korean and English, knowledge of other languages (esp. German or Japanese) is a plus. Your background could be in civil society, journalism, think tanks or politics or in whatever you can convince us of being the best fit! You could be either an activist or an analyst – but you would have to be willing to entertain the other side a bit as well! Experience in dealing with governmental donors and an NGO-environment is desirable. Believing in gender equality and the values embodied by our foundation is a requirement for working with us.

What we offer

A permanent contract (after an initial trial period) in a dynamic environment with flat hierarchies and the possibility to be part of a worldwide team working for a greener future! We offer you the possibility to contribute to our work and see your ideas put into reality!

A fair salary negotiable based upon prior experience.

We value a work-life balance and strive for a 40-hour-work week. The hbs is a family-friendly organization, parental leave, regular work hours and similar regulations are important to us. From time to time, work on Saturdays or late evenings may occur, but it will be compensated.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a letter introducing yourself and your motivation for the job to kristian.brakel@kr.boell.org with the following subject line until 31.12.2023: ApplicationECO1+YOURNAME

Being in possession of Korean nationality or a standing work permit for Korea (independent of your employer) is a necessary prerequisite for applying! If you are not a Korean citizen, please state your visa status in the email.

Interviews are planned to be conducted in late January/early February 2024.