The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) is seeking an Energy Finance Analyst for a full time contracted consultant role based in Australia. We are looking for an experienced financial professional with knowledge of, and interest in, the Australian coal sector to evaluate how this sector is being impacted by the global energy system transition towards decarbonisation. The role will also contribute to a growing topic of interest globally – the development of long-term plans to responsibly manage excess, stranded coal mining and associated rail and port capacity as demand goes into permanent decline. This position is for a remote work-based role and candidates may be located anywhere in Australia.

The Energy Finance Analyst will conduct and disseminate financial analysis on the Australian thermal and coking coal mining sectors amid the transition to new energy technology. The consultant must possess a commitment to IEEFA’s mission to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable, and profitable energy economy. In the context of Australian coal mining, this means critically analyzing the future of the sector amid technology transition in power generation and steel manufacturing in Australia’s key coal export destinations and as global capital moves to align with a global net zero emissions target for 2050 under the common but differentiated responsibilities articulated in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

IEEFA is a rapidly-growing NGO/nonprofit think tank that conducts independent public interest research and analysis on financial and economic issues related to energy markets, trends and policies. Headquartered in the United States, IEEFA has teams of analysts and communications personnel located across the globe, with a significant portion of our staff in the greater Asia Pacific region. Our dynamic Australian-based team works collaboratively with IEEFA internationally and in the region across different decarbonisation research areas in coal, gas, heavy industry and electricity markets.

IEEFA produces a significant volume of original written research, as well as ongoing analysis and reports on issues affecting energy industries, as well as undertaking private engagement with key participants in the financial, corporate, community, regulatory and political spheres to comprehensively understand sector developments. Our major research reports, daily commentaries, press coverage and other resources can be found on our public domain website: www.ieefa.org.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Researching, interpreting, and publishing coal sector financial and industry data.
• Analyzing the technology developments and evolving power generation plans in Australia’s key and potential thermal coal export markets to assess the long term implications for the sector.
• Collaborating with IEEFA’s steel analyst to understand technology trends in steel manufacturing and implications for Australian coking coal mining.
• Analyzing the growing trend of investors shifting away from coal and the impact on Australian coal companies.
• Intervening from a financial perspective in the growing global discourse on how stranded coal mining capacity can be responsibly managed.
• Conducting financial analysis, financial modeling, and market analysis in Excel.
• Drafting, formatting, and proofing reports, submissions, and press releases.
• Creating and updating PowerPoint presentations for public, media, and industry briefings.
• Horizon scanning for energy and finance news – downloading press articles, annual reports, investor presentations, industry reports to understand the global policy context and industry developments.
• Reading, reviewing, and providing commentary on the major listed players in the coal sector.
• Analyzing financial performance; tracking stock price performance, and strategy announcements.
• Liaising with other NGOs as a representative of IEEFA to build out collaboration.
• Building industry, government, regulator, and finance contacts to better understand different perspectives to better inform your analysis, and to help steer industry thinking in return towards the best public interest outcome.
• Provide insights to the media and respond to requests for views so as to assist in building an informed public media narrative to validate and/or challenge the private industry and government perspectives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of five to seven years’ relevant experience in finance, energy, engineering, or a related field.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the global coal sector.

• Experience analysing financial reporting, stocks, and investment portfolios.
• Competence in presenting insights on the company’s financial performance.
• Expert understanding of finance, economics and quantitative analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and with good political judgment both orally and in writing.

About You:

• You are keen to bring your skills and experience to a growing and dynamic team to make a difference for the public interest globally, both in terms of a least-disruptive transition to new energy technology and in addressing the implications of climate science.
• You are very self-motivated, able to work independently, able to multi-task, set priorities and meet deadlines with limited direction while working remotely.

• You have a high degree of technological proficiency and demonstrated ability to learn new software and applications.
• You have expertise in Excel.
• You have excellent writing skills demonstrated through publications, reports, and commentaries.
• You are team-oriented with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• You have a commitment to IEEFA’s mission.

Term and Schedule: Full time 12 month contract with the option of extension by mutual agreement; FTE range AUD$90-100k + super, depending upon experience.

Travel: Some travel may be required (when it becomes possible).

Please be sure to add [email protected] to your contact list to ensure delivery of all correspondence from us.

We encourage you to apply immediately and will be closing applications by 20 October 2021.