Are you a smart, dynamic and insightful person with a background in economics and policy who would like to help us unlock the potential of the COVID recovery to build a safer, fairer planet in which climate change has been brought under control?

We are looking for someone who has good networks in the economics field and can spearhead our engagement in that community. If you can spot credible emerging themes, mine data and create a polished hook for the press to drive better stories on the economics of climate action, we’d love to hear from you.

We are seeking to appoint an Economics Associate, Strategic Communications with a focus on the Asian region. You will be part of the Strategic Communications team and will report to the Senior Associate, Economics and Finance.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, collaborative and highly driven communications professional with the ambition to make a difference and play an active role in helping improve the economic recovery from COVID-19.

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 280 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.

About the role

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.

Key responsibilities

In the above-mentioned context, the Economics Associate, Strategic Communications will be responsible for:

• Tracking political, public and media debates around the role of economic actors and institutions driving climate action and economic recovery as well as contributing to communications strategies to influence and shift these debates
• Developing and maintaining a diverse network of partners and contacts across sectors (including economists, research and consultancy firms, analysts, think tanks, academics, corporate, and non-profits)
• Acting as a core member of an international network of peers, helping to guide the network on matters relating to the economics and climate change at the international level
• Assisting in developing and maintaining strong relationships with key correspondents and editors in mainstream and specialist media for pro-active promotion of stories, outreach on emerging issues and reactive media management, particularly in Asia
• Providing communication services and advice to partners
• Providing media relations services and advice to partners
• Working with a global network to deliver relevant communications content and collateral
• Contributing to monitoring, evaluation and reporting (including some financial and administrative tasks)

Experience and competencies

We are seeking a candidate with

• At least three years of experience in an economics-related role;
• A strong background in public-facing communications, whether in media, communications, or think tanks;
• Experience of working in or an understanding of Asian markets and economies;
• Experience with and understanding of media, the media landscape and the value of strategic story placement;
• Experience with developing and deploying major communications initiatives;
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; knowledge of other languages is a bonus;
• Advanced skills in Excel and platforms such as Datawrapper, etc;
• Skills in use of new media and collaborative IT tools;
• Gravitas sufficient to work directly with high profile individuals;
• High levels of self-motivation and the ability to work in a flexible and agile manner;
• Ability to liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, including experts, journalists and civil society;
• Strong diplomatic skills and interpersonal relations, with the ability to quickly build trust with partners and colleagues;
• Existing networks in the economics community among academia, policy, and private sector, and/or an ability to develop new contacts;
• An ability to balance rigour and depth with speed and expediency;
• A genuine interest in addressing inclusivity - such as integrating gender, race, and north-south justice into economic dialogues on climate change;
• The disposition to work generously with colleagues in a high-trust global community of peers;
• An ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with different audiences with different levels of technical expertise and engagement;
• Passionate about climate action with a genuine interest in the mission and values of the ECF.

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 one year, with a possible renewal after one year

Location

Preference for Asia based, or experience in Asia, with some international travel required.

We may be able to provide co-working space in some locations. You must have the required work permit for your location.

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!

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.