Japan Campaigner

Position description

The Steel industry is one of the drivers of climate change with slow progress towards climate ambitions. Among them, the Japanese steel industry is one of the most influential and one of the biggest laggards in the global landscape. We are seeking a dynamic corporate campaigner who are able to use their creativity to strategise and design campaigns in coordination with multiple actors in Japan.

 

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

SteelWatch is a new international civil society organisation established in June 2023, driving corporate accountability in the steel sector and urgent climate action. Our vision is a steel sector that underpins a thriving zero emissions economy. Our priority is that the steel industry gets on track for a 1.5 degree warming trajectory this side of 2030.  

 

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a member of the first international climate NGO specialising in steel decarbonisation, you will work with other SteelWatch team members located across Asia-Pacific, Africa and Europe. Keeping abreast of public discourse and changing landscapes and developments of the  steel industry, companies, and the government, you will design future SteelWatch campaign activities in Japan.

 

For the steel industry to move toward decarbonisation, technological advancement is not the only solution, but we need to fundamentally rethink systemic changes to the long-held methods of steel production, the iron and steel value chain and the industrial structure, and going further, the relationship between the steel industry and the future of the decarbonised society. We are looking for someone who is able to use their creativity to engage not only in negotiations to achieve GHG emissions reductions, but also in critical thinking to provoke dialogues about what climate needs from the industry and corporate actors and other stakeholders today in ensuring a better future for people and the planet.

 

A lack of climate ambitions in the industrial sector is beginning to attract attention in the global climate movement, but the steel industry decarbonisation has not been a major topic of public discourse in Japan today. Our organisation is currently in the early stages of its campaign development in Japan, and this role will need to collaborate with partners in other sectors, both domestically and internationally, in planning and developing new campaigns. You will have an opportunity to learn from a variety of actors working on the steel industry decarbonisation from different angles such as supply chain such as auto, renewable energy, climate finance, and met coal. Will you join us in an exciting role at the forefront of the emerging groups focused on heavy industries in the greater global climate movements?

 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement our campaign strategies targeting companies in the steel industry in Japan. 
• Provide analysis of the landscape in Japan including corporate activities, discourse, policy, and political moments that are relevant to our campaigning both locally and globally. 
• Engage with relevant stakeholders, corporate actors, financial institutions, government officials, industry experts, in pursuit of the campaign strategy
• Give inputs to and deliver communication outputs, including appearances in media as the spokesperson.  Collaborate with the communication colleagues to respond timely to emerging news. 
• Build and maintain key partnerships with actors working on steel decarbonisation in Japan nationally
• Contribute to strong international partnerships globally.
• Develop metrics to measure impact of the campaign and produce reports, including funder reports, where required
• Other responsibilities assigned by the Campaigns Director

 

APPLICATION CRITERIA

Applicants with several years experience in corporate campaigning and track record of managing AtoZ of campaign delivery will be considered for a senior role in the organisation. We will also consider, for entry at a Campaign Coordinator level, applicants with less experience but who have the campaigning mentality and strong delivery skills, with potential to  grow in the role.  For candidates of any level of experience, an appetite to learn and grow in the role is expected, as this is pioneering work. 

Qualifications

• At least 3-5 years’ experience (and possibly much more) in designing and implementing campaigns targeted at corporate actors to change their behaviours and business models. Experience may not have to be specifically in Japan
• Ability to understand and articulate systemic problems and solutions; experience and/or appetite for change making 
• Knowledge of and natural instinct to pick up on shifting socioeconomic contexts, societal narratives, political environments in Japan that create campaign opportunities or impact our campaign strategies
• Ability to grasp technical and technology issues sufficiently 
• Ability to convey argument crisply and convincingly, verbally and in written form
• Ability to collaborate with effectively with a wide variety of partners, from allies to analysts to communication experts
• Proven strong organisational skills to coordinate multiple inputs and manage different deadlines, working on immediate tasks as well as longer pieces of work
• An appetite to work in a start-up, with all the curiosity, adaptivity and learning that it entail

 

Language requirements

• Ability to work both in Japanese and in English at professional level, able to engage confidently with Japanese media and stakeholders

 

Desired skills and experience

• Direct experience of work in climate, industry decarbonisation, and energy transition
• Experience in developing a coalition or network, and understanding of dynamics in coordinating campaign efforts coalition set-up
• Awareness of global dynamics and ability to think beyond borders for campaign leverages, blockages and opportunities;
• Demonstrated ability to think both strategically and creatively

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Ways of working:

• Work location is Remote. All staff members are working fully remote. For this role, we prefer a candidate based within the commuting vicinity of Tokyo, for team and partner collaboration purposes. For the moment, we have a shared office space in the central Tokyo for facilitating better collaboration for 3 staff members based in Japan.
• Working hours are flexible. You will need to have flexibility to work across different time zones especially with Europe and Australia.
• Full time. 5 days/week, 8 hours/day. Negotiable as a part time role up to 4 days/week. 

 

Working conditions and benefits

• Consultancy contract. The initial contract period will be for 12 months with an option to renew.   
• Remuneration according to the organisation rules and level of experience.

 

Equal opportunities:  we strive to be an equal opportunities employer. We actively welcome applications from candidates from historically underrepresented groups in the climate change movement.  If you require any adaptation or assistance during the application process, please let us know. 

 

Application instructions

• Send a cover letter (2 pages max), and a CV (3 pages max) to Toko Tomita at [email protected].   CVs submitted without a cover letter will not be reviewed. 
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The latest deadline to submit your application is 7 June 2024 (by CET midnight).  

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