Do you love getting into the details of climate science but also know how to communicate it to non-specialists and have great project management skills? If so, and if you want to help shape how policymakers think about the risks of climate change, we should talk.

We are seeking to appoint a Climate Impacts Associate, mostly focusing on Europe. You will be part of the Strategic Communications team and will report to the Strategic Communications Manager, Climate Impacts.

We’re looking for someone to work with partners to guide and manage projects communicating climate impacts in Europe, while simultaneously helping journalists produce stories about climate science and economics and why they matter.

About the European Climate Foundation

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 350 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.

ECF’s strategic communications team is the outreach unit of the foundation. It is a centre of expertise for communication on climate change and plays 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.

You will work with partners to deliver several projects analysing and communicating climate impacts in European countries. In addition, you will work with colleagues to help create media stories about the impacts of climate change, as part of a global network of communications professionals.

Main responsibilities:

1. Set up and manage projects analysing major climate threats in European countries:

- Work with partners and colleagues to identify and commission specialist researchers in about 4 separate countries to produce new analysis on key climate threats, then keep the projects on track for delivery

- Develop and co-lead launch activities, with colleagues, to give maximum media, political and public impact

2. Manage an agency working on a digital climate impacts communications programme in Europe:

- Keep their work on track and guide them with advice on messaging, science and audiences

- Ensure their activities reinforce other work and objectives

- Record evidence about what works and share this with colleagues and partners

3. Help create media stories that show the high costs of inaction on climate change:

- Spot opportunities for media stories about climate impacts, identify appropriate journalists, pitch stories and help organise launches of new studies, eg setting up press briefings and interviews

- Help colleagues to understand and communicate science and economics relating to climate impacts, particularly in relation to the next IPCC reports

We are seeking a candidate with the following skills:

Essential

• A genuine interest in the mission and values of the organisation
• Excellent project management skills and attention to detail
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a range of partners
• Interest and determination to test different approaches and learn from what does and doesn’t work
• Ability to quickly find and work through potentially unfamiliar technical information and to extract points that will interest journalists and accurately summarise them in media-friendly ways
• Experience of writing or successfully pitching evidence-based media stories, with a solid understanding of what journalists need and how they work
• Very strong writing skills in English, with the ability to produce engaging materials in a variety of formats
• Ability to prioritise to help achieve strategic goals
• High levels of self-motivation, ability to work at a fast pace as part of dispersed international teams across time zones, using Zoom/phone, Slack, etc
• The disposition to work generously with colleagues in a high-trust global community of peers
• A commitment to an inclusive and empowering approach to facing climate change

Desirable

• Understanding of scientific and economic studies about climate impacts
• Additional language skills
• Understanding of how to present scientific information on social media in ways that will be widely shared

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 ambition and a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work

• A flexible work environment and the space to shape and continuously develop your role
• A full-time position with a consultant or employment contract (subject to location) for 12 months, with a possible renewal after one year. Flexible working hours are negotiable
• A competitive salary (relevant to location. Please state your location in your application, and during the selection process we can confirm the salary range)

Location

You can be based anywhere within a 3-hour time difference of Central European Time, with a reliable internet connection. You must have the right to work in your location.

We may be able to provide co-working spaces in some locations. There will be occasional international travel.

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please upload below your CV and a short cover letter, both in English, 1-2 pages for each. Please note the essential and desirable skills described above and address them in your application.

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

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for all applications: 11th December 2020