Specialist, Ocean Energy

This is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 18 months

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, committed to improving the state of the world. We engage the foremost leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.

The Ocean Agenda (OAA) sits within the Earth Systems Agenda of the Forum's Centre for Nature and Climate (CNC). It creates innovative platforms at the nexus of science, business and policy and cultivates partnerships across business, government, academia and civil society to fast-track ambitious solutions for ocean health.

The Energy Pillar sits within the Forum’s Centre for Energy and Materials (CENMAT). It aims to accelerate energy transitions towards a world enabled by secure, sustainable, and affordable energy systems that drive opportunities for all.

Why we are Recruiting

The Ocean and Energy teams are collaborating to hire a Specialist, Ocean Energy to drive the work of the Responsible Renewables Infrastructure (RRI) initiative, with special focus on offshore renewables.

The RRI initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in line with global energy and climate targets while delivering positive outcomes for people and nature. It engages leading renewable energy companies, civil society organizations, academic experts, and government leaders. The initiative also serves as a platform to elevate best-in-class practices in renewable energy planning and deployment through real-world examples, knowledge sharing, and cross-sector collaboration.

Going forward the initiative will be structured around three main objectives: (1) driving momentum toward the tripling of renewables and shaping a post-2030 strategy through high-level public–private dialogue; (2) fostering global and local knowledge exchange and building the evidence base on the business and economic case for responsible practices as enablers of faster deployment; and a (3) advancing policy frameworks and financial mechanisms that support high-quality energy infrastructure.

Together, these efforts will contribute to accelerating the buildout and enhancing the resilience of energy infrastructure, while benefiting communities and protecting and restoring natural ecosystems.

Reporting Lines & Interactions

This position will sit between Ocean and Energy teams and report directly to the Ocean Industries Lead, Centre for Nature and Climate (CNC), with a dotted line to the Lead, Energy Initiatives at the Centre for Energy and Materials (CENMAT).

Internally, this position requires interaction with the Earth System Agenda of CNC and the Energy Pillar of CENMAT, as well as colleagues across the Forum, especially from Energy Cluster in Global Industries, Business Engagement, Partner Development and Regional Engagement teams, and others as relevant.

Externally, this position will also entail extensive interactions with a variety of global stakeholders, including business, public sector agencies and leading experts from the energy ecosystem.

Breakdown of main responsibilities

Project Management

• Work closely with the Ocean Industries Lead and the Energy Initiatives Lead to set the strategic direction for the implementation of the RRI initiative
• Develop initiative workplans and roadmaps and track timelines, ensuring delivery within agreed scope and budget.
• Monitor progress against milestones, flag risks or delays, and manage impact measurement and donor reporting processes
• Organize and facilitate project team meetings, synthesizing inputs across teams and ensuring clear follow-up on actions and deadlines.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products, briefing notes, presentations, and thought leadership outputs related to renewable energy and ocean economy topics.
• Stay informed on industry trends, policy developments, and emerging technologies in ocean and renewable energy, integrating relevant insights into initiative activities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage and mobilize key Forum partners and prospective partners across the ocean energy ecosystem, including corporates, governments, international organizations, and civil society.
• Connect and explore opportunities to partner with key organizations and institutions that are active in ocean energy, nature-positive development, and resilience.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, supporting collaboration that contributes to wider systems-level impact.
• Manage partner and member databases, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information across Forum platforms.

Events Management

• Design and deliver programme-related events and sessions, including virtual convenings, workshops, and in-person meetings.
• Identify opportunities to position the initiative within global and regional events in international sustainability, energy, and ocean fora. Coordinate across related Forum initiatives to identify joint programming and shared event opportunities that amplify impact.
• Ensure effective delivery and documentation of events by managing logistics and using digital tools such as Salesforce and Forum Live.
• Perform other operational and coordination support as needed

Communications

• In close collaboration with the Communications Leads in Ocean and Energy teams, build a strong narrative for the initiative and identify opportunities for impactful communications and messaging
• Update websites, factsheets, and other communications materials.
• Track communications outputs and engagement metrics to support impact assessment and donor reporting.

Preferred Requirements and Experience

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field (economics, business administration, environmental science, energy, infrastructure, sustainability, etc.)
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience, with proven experience in stakeholder engagement and project management. Experiences in the private sector preferred.
• Knowledge of the energy or related sectors, specifically understanding of the sector challenges related to climate, nature, community engagement and workforce
• Understanding of key organizations and institutions that are active in the energy space, especially offshore renewables sector.
• Capacity to apply critical thinking, consult broadly and develop strategies, which balance both long- and short-term objectives
• High level of computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint), Canva, social media platforms and other digital communications tools, and experience with Salesforce is a plus
• Highly collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, ability to juggle competing priorities, with shifting parameters, to deliver to the highest standards and to agreed deadlines
• Excellent event management and organizational skills
• Excellent cross-cultural verbal and written communication skills

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Why work at the Forum:

The Forum believes that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to improve the state of the world by building awareness and cooperation, shaping mindsets and agendas, and driving collective action. Join us and become a driver for positive change!