2016: junior expert : NATURAL RESOURCES/ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIST

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In: 2016
ACTeon is a French-based human size (20 staff) research and consultancy company, active in the field of EU environment policy. It is specialised in the “soft” components of environmental management and policy, i.e. social values & perceptions, economic values – including values of ecosystem’s services, the search for adequate incentives (knowledge, processes, economic instruments) to steer change in behaviour, prospective and policy (ex-ante and ex-post) evaluation, governance & institutions, and mediation & communication. ACTeon is providing support to policy development and implementation in the field of water, marine resources, biodiversity, climate change and adaptation, agriculture and the environment, renewable energy, etc.  The geographic focus of activities includes France, Europe (other European countries & EU level initiatives), the Mediterranean Sea and the Caucasus regions. For more information: www.acteon-environment.eu

THE TASKS

ACTeon is looking for a dynamic and inspired junior Natural Resources/Environmental Economist to join its Economics Team based in Colmar (France). This position requires an excellent team spirit, initiative and autonomous work. The main tasks and activities relevant to the position include:

  • Performing consultancy and research

The assessment of the socio-economic impacts of policy changes, applying economic assessment (e.g. cost-benefit or cost-effectiveness analysis) or wider policy evaluation frameworks (e.g. ex-ante impact assessment or ex-post public policy evaluation)

The assessment of economic values, be it of economic sectors impacting natural resources, ecosystem services (building on quantitative methods) and of the wider benefits brought by nature (including enhancing resilience)

The analysis of incentives (including economic instruments) that can steer behavioural changes from final consumers or specific economic operators (fishermen, farmers, industry, retailers…) of economic value chains

The analysis of governance and institutions mobilising the concepts and tools of institutional economics (e.g. assessment of transaction costs)

·        Contributing to ACTeon’s information and communication, including policy reports, dedicated communication material (brochures, policy briefs, guidance documents, interactive web-based platforms, doc-web, serious games…) targeting different audiences of stakeholders, decision makers and scientists

  • Contributing to the organisation of policy workshops, conferences and trainings for different audiences of stakeholders, decision makers and scientists;
  • Contributing to the development of new projects & research proposals, with specific support provided to developing new projects and activities in her/his own areas of interest.

THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

  • Minimum M.Sc. or engineering degree in environmental economics, economics with specialisation in environmental issues, or  EU environmental policy with specialisation in economics

·        One-two year experience as economist, environmental economist or environmental policy specialist – in particular in the field of marine resources and/or biodiversity. Experience in consultancy is seen as an advantage;

·        Skills in the extraction & use of data from diverse socio-economic data sets, in primary data collection techniques (including the organisation of surveys or focus groups) and in the development and application of analytical tools & methods (statistics/econometrics, economic modelling…);

·        Very good understanding of the French and EU environmental policy making (existing regulation and planning processes, main challenges, stakeholders, etc.). A complementary experience in one sector policy (urban planning, transport, agriculture, health, information & communication, innovation….) is an advantage;

·        Excellent French and English (written & oral) communication skills, including capacity to facilitate experts & stakeholders workshops in these languages. A third (EU) language is seen as an advantage.

ADMINISTRATIVE & WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

The position is a permanent position (Contrat à Durée Indéterminée – CDI, agreed depending on the status of the candidate) in accordance to the French regulation in terms of social security, holidays, etc. Confirmation of the appointment will take place after a two month probation period renewable once. It is a full time position, which annual salary is based on qualifications and experience of the candidate and on the salary grid of ACTeon. The location for the position is Colmar (France – 30 minutes by public transport from Strasbourg or Basel).  The position may require short term travel abroad (within ACTeon’s geographic focus areas).

The successful candidate will be a part of young and inspiring team of 20 professionals working in a wide range of collaborative research and consultancy projects involving partner organisations from different (mainly EU) countries. She/he will be involved in projects implemented in France (local, regional and national scales) and in European-wide projects, including work for the European Commission and the European Environment Agency.

Starting date of the appointment: at the earliest!

HOW TO APPLY?

You can apply by November 22th, 2016 sending your application with (a) a cover letter, (b) a recent Europass CV and (c) names of three references, via email to: administration@acteon-environment.eu