Advocacy Manager

Company: EU-ASEAN Business Council
Job Title: Advocacy Manager, Sustainability
Location: Singapore

About the EU-ASEAN Business Council:

The EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) is the primary voice for European business within the ASEAN region. Recognised by both the European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat, and accredited under Annex 2 of the ASEAN Charter, the EU-ABC serves as an independent body committed to promoting European business interests and driving policy and regulatory changes that enhance trade and investment between Europe and ASEAN.

The EU-ABC is dedicated to advancing the interests of its members through strategic advocacy initiatives that cover various sectors and topics. Our mission is to influence policy and regulatory environments to foster a sustainable and competitive business landscape in the ASEAN region.

Role Overview:

We are looking for an experienced and driven Advocacy Manager to join our dynamic and dedicated team, preferably with an expertise in sustainability issues, including but not limited to, circular economy development, carbon markets/trading, and ESG reporting. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and executing our advocacy strategies, engaging with policymakers, and driving sustainable practices across ASEAN. This role requires a deep understanding of ASEAN approaches on sustainability and related EU regulations, as well as the ability to translate these into actionable insights for our members.

Key Responsibilities:

• Policy Advocacy & Engagement:
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies that address circular economy, ESG, and carbon markets topics.
• Engage with EU and ASEAN policymakers, regulators, EU-funded projects and industry stakeholders to influence policy frameworks that support sustainable business practices, carbon trading mechanisms, and circular economy initiatives.
• Represent the EU-ABC in meetings, forums, and working groups to advocate for the interests of European businesses, ensuring their perspectives on sustainability are heard.

• Research & Analysis:
  • Monitor, analyse, and provide insights on policy developments related to ESG, carbon markets, circular economy, and sustainability regulations in the EU and ASEAN.
  • Conduct in-depth research and prepare policy briefs, position papers, and reports on relevant topics, reflecting the perspectives and interests of EU-ABC member companies.
  • Provide updates and guidance to the EU-ABC’s sustainability committee and member companies on evolving EU regulations and their impact on ASEAN businesses.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including member companies, EU and ASEAN policymakers, industry associations, and other advocacy groups focused on sustainability.
  • Facilitate dialogues and consultations between member companies and policymakers, ensuring business perspectives sustainability are incorporated into policy discussions.
  • Organise and lead advocacy events, roundtables, and workshops on sustainability-related topics.
• Communications & Thought Leadership:
  • Draft and review advocacy materials, including speeches, op-eds, press releases, and presentations, to effectively communicate EU-ABC’s positions on sustainability themes.
  • Contribute to EU-ABC’s thought leadership initiatives, such as white papers, webinars, and industry reports.
  • Represent the EU-ABC at conferences, seminars, and events as a speaker or panellist on sustainability themes.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Public Policy, International Relations, Business, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
  • At least 3-5 years of experience in policy advocacy, public affairs, or sustainability roles, with a strong focus on ESG, carbon markets, and circular economy in a business association, consultancy, think tank, or corporate environment.
  • Proven experience engaging with policymakers and influencing policy outcomes.
  • Fluent in English. Another European or an ASEAN language would be advantageous.
• Knowledge & Skills:
  • Strong understanding of ESG principles, carbon markets, circular economy frameworks, and EU regulations (e.g., the EU Green Deal, Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), and EU Taxonomy).
  • Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, actionable insights for advocacy purposes.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of engaging effectively with stakeholders at all levels.