Agriculture Analyst, Accountability Unit (Strategic Communications) – flex location

European Climate Foundation Bruxelles Belgium Strategic Communications
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Company Description

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) was founded in 2008 as a major philanthropic initiative to help tackle climate change by fostering the development of a low-carbon society at the national, European and global level.

We support over 500 partner organisations to carry out activities that contribute to the public debate on climate action, drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero emissions economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

As towns, cities and countries around the world declare climate emergencies, seas rise, forests burn, glaciers melt, increasing numbers of people take to the streets demanding urgent action and our societies begin to wake up to what the science has been saying for many years, there has never been a more important time to be working on climate change.

Position

The ECF’s strategic communications team is the outreach unit of the foundation. Its role is to act as a centre of expertise for communication on climate change and to play an active role in helping create more political, media and public endorsement for action on climate change at an international, national and sectoral level. Team members deliver strategic advice, communications and outreach support to ECF’s programmes and its grantees, and work as part of a global network of communications experts to enhance the public debate on climate change and its solutions. Within this strategic communications is a group of researchers and investigators that constitute the Accountability Unit.

As Agriculture Analyst, you will be responsible for developing and implementing accountability unit strategy in the area of climate, meat and livestock, in support of the wider goals of the network.

Accountability analysts develop programmes of work that scrutinise the activities of corporate actors in the climate space, and produce bespoke interventions that shape corporate influence on the development of climate policy.

You will be expected to forge alliances with partners, journalists and colleagues in the network to turn insight into real-world impact. You will commission research, develop campaign approaches and messaging, develop your own original research, produce materials and briefings, and work across a broad network of allies to provide advice and alignment in this space.

As an Analyst on agriculture in the team, you will be responsible for providing excellent research thinking and scoping to support the wider goals of the organisation, taking particular responsibility for a portfolio of issues around land use, agriculture, pesticides and food. You will bring extensive experience of impact-driven research to the organisation’s efforts to shape the debate around food systems as a central way of tackling the climate crisis. Working closely with the Senior Livestock Analyst and wider Accountability Unit, you will develop a network of contacts and allies in the space, undertake your own original research, may commission research to be conducted by others, and assist with developing messaging, materials, briefings and intelligence products in this space.

Key responsibilities

Research and Analysis:

  • Take responsibility for a particular set of areas in the livestock and agriculture debate, identifying and working on a corresponding set of corporate actors.
  • Conduct high quality research and analysis of issues and industrial sectors as directed by the Senior Strategist, working closely with the Senior Livestock Analyst, and Accountability Unit project teams.
  • Compile credible, concise briefings for allies and partners working to shape debates and narratives on the livestock and agriculture issue as directed by the Investigations Director and Senior Strategist, with advice from the Food, Nature and Climate Director and Senior Livestock Analyst.
  • Contribute to the development, review and evaluation of strategies and interventions undertaken by the Accountability Unit.

Network development and contact cultivation:

  • Build relationships with representatives in the research space around livestock and agriculture, including corporate, political, communications and grassroots partners, as directed by the Investigations Director and Senior Strategist, with the advice of the Food, Nature and Climate Director and Senior Livestock Analyst.
  • Advise on strategic communications interventions relevant to the livestock and agriculture space, that contribute to the goals of the organisation, and coordinate interventions as required.
  • Act as an ambassador of the Accountability Unit and the organisation

Requirements

  • Experience of conducting targeted investigations, campaigns, or research, with some knowledge of or relevance to food systems or related sectors
  • Evidence of an ability to develop a credible level of expertise across a number of complex issues with little previous experience of these issues
  • An aptitude for and inclination towards solving problems
  • Fluent in English as the working language of the organisation, with additional languages relevant to key geographies also desirable
  • A team player and a natural collaborator
  • Ability to work independently and remotely
  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally and work unusual hours from time to time, due to the challenges of being part of a global team spanning multiple time zones
  • The disposition to work generously with colleagues in a high-trust global community of peers
  • The versatile and adaptable skills necessary to flourish in a fast-paced and wide-ranging work environment and work across phone/video conferencing, time zones, etc.
  • A commitment to an inclusive and empowering approach to climate and energy issues

Other information

What we offer

  • The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international group of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;
  • A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself;
  • A full-time position with a consultant or employment contract (subject to location) for 12 months, with a possible renewal after one year.

Location

Flexible - ideally within a 7-hour time zone of Central European Time (CET).

Some international travel may be required. We may be able to provide co-working spaces in some locations.

Only candidates with the right to work in their location will be considered.

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please upload below:

  1. CV
  2. short cover letter expressing your motivation for this role
  3. both in English!

Application Closing Date: 17/06/2022

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups to apply