Senior Policy Officer - Critical Minerals
UK or Brussels based
Hybrid
Role Overview
Shaping a circular economy for critical and strategic minerals and materials is one of the most urgent and high-impact levers we have to advance the clean energy transition, secure digital infrastructure, and enable resilient industrial systems. The global economy is undergoing a massive transformation – electrification, digitisation, and decarbonisation are driving exponential demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earths.
To provide an institutional and regulatory dimension to our newly created Mission, we are seeking a Senior Policy Officer to support the transition towards a circular economy for critical minerals (CMs) / Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) in the context of decarbonisation across energy (including renewable generation and storage), transport (including electric vehicles, batteries, and charging infrastructure), and industrial processes, as well as the expansion of the digital economy (including electronics, data centres, and related technologies).
Our Senior Policy Officer will play a key role in shaping the Foundation's engagement with EU institutions and international bodies (e.g., UN, G7, G20, OECD), as well as potentially regional organisations such as the African Union, ASEAN, MERCOSUR, and so on. In addition, the Senior Policy Officer may also engage with priority national governments in both OECD and Global South contexts. The successful candidate will monitor and analyse policy and legislative developments, identify opportunities for strategic interventions, and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders to drive policy change towards a circular economy for Critical Minerals.
Key Responsibilities:
* Keep abreast of key CMs / CRMs policy and legislative developments
within the EU and globally, including specific international institutions, and where relevant in targeted countries/regions (including China, LatAm, Southeast Asia), identifying opportunities for collaboration and intervention. Share these insights with the Foundation's Critical Minerals mission and Policy & Institutions teams.
* Identify research and policy analysis needs
and work with the Foundation's Critical Minerals mission and Policy & Institutions teams to deliver position papers and policy briefings both for internal use and with key stakeholders.
* Grow and maintain the Foundation's relationships with key EU Institutions and International Institutions
(e.g. UN, G7, G20, OECD, African Union, ASEAN, MERCOSUR, and others), key research organisations, consultancies and policy think tanks that are working on the topic of critical / transition minerals in the context of energy systems and transport, in view of adding to the Foundation's knowledge base, developing closer collaboration and potential joint publications that are working on the topic of energy transition / digital transformation, with a link to critical minerals / critical raw materials.
* Build relationships with both thought leaders and practitioners on critical minerals-related policy
on what it takes to shape and implement a transformative agenda on a circular economy globally, as well as to foster dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders in the context of our Business - Policy Interface work.
* Represent the Foundation and share the Foundation's insights
with various international Institutions by attending and speaking at external events and participating in external meetings, drawing on experts within the Critical Minerals team as needed.
You will sit within the Policy and Institutions Team and will report directly to the
Institutions Lead
, with a dotted line to the
Critical Minerals Executive Lead
.
Your Profile
* Experience and industry knowledge
: Senior level experience in policy analysis, advocacy, or regulatory affairs in sectors such as energy, transport, industry or the digital economy, ideally with a focus on minerals and raw materials with a view towards circular economy, sustainability and/or decarbonisation.
* Institutional knowledge
: Strong understanding of the policy landscape and international frameworks in the EU and international contexts, including how these frameworks shape global value chains and market issues for minerals and raw materials in sectors such as: energy, transport, industry or the digital economy. Experience engaging with institutions or stakeholders in the Global South is particularly valued.
* Stakeholder engagement:
Ability to engage and maintain constructive relationships with stakeholders across businesses, NGOs, and government institutions.
* Research and analysis
: Experience in research and policy development, with strong analytical skills to synthesize complex information.
* Communication
: Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, writing, and facilitating multi-stakeholder discussions.Fluency in English is required; additional languages are a plus.
Transferable skills welcome.
We welcome applicants from adjacent policy domains or adjacent sector domains, who bring strong stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and delivery skills. If you meet most of the requirements and can show how your experience translates, we encourage you to apply.
Why Join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation?
•
Mission-Driven Work
: Be part of an organisation working on some of the most pressing challenges of our time: circular economy and systemic change.
•
Collaborative Culture
: Work in a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative environment where every team member is valued and empowered to contribute.
•
Growth and Impact
: Play a key role in shaping an organisation that is influencing global systems and driving positive environmental change
•
Work-Life Balance
: We believe in creating a healthy, balanced work environment. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation offers flexible working options to support the well-being of our employees.
Apply by clicking the green icon
where you will be asked to upload a CV and covering letter.
Desired starting date:
as soon as possible.
Closing date:
17th September 2025.
Salary package
: circa £51,000 or €67,000 depending on experience level plus generous holiday allowance, 25 days plus UK Bank Holidays plus discretionary organisational extra days leave at Christmas and Easter, generous parental leave; enhanced pension options/private health scheme after 6 months; wellbeing programme. If Belgium based, generous holiday allowance and a full range of benefits competitive within the EU charity sector.
Location
: UK or Brussels based with hybrid working flexibility. However, you must have the right to work in Belgium without sponsorship if applying for our Brussels office and the right to work in the UK without sponsorship if applying for our UK office. Some travel may be required in this role.
Application process:
* Initial Zoom meeting with our Talent team and prospective Line manager to start the process (we will send you the outline of the interview, so you know what to expect).
* A work-related assignment to complete at home or as part of the interview process so we know you will be comfortable with the type of work you would do here.
* Interview with our People Team, Team Lead and prospective manager. This may be based in our offices in London, Brussels or Isle of Wight. Alternatively, this meeting will be via Zoom as we recognise travel isn't always possible, especially for our international candidates.
* For more senior roles we will conduct a presentation interview too.
What we do
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy. We work with, and inspire, business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Our vision is a new economic system that delivers better outcomes for people and the environment. Business models, products, and materials are designed to increase use and reuse, replicating the balance of the natural world, where nothing becomes waste, and everything has value. A circular economy, increasingly built on renewable energy and materials, is distributed, diverse, and inclusive.
Our commitment to you
We are keen to receive applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, including (but not limited to) those of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from other marginalised groups. It is important to us that our recruitment approach makes the opportunity as accessible as possible and ensures a diverse range of people are able to demonstrate their potential. We would be happy to provide any further support that you may require - please get in touch so that we can work together.
If you would like further information on our diversity and inclusion policy or any further assistance, please contact us