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.

Context of the role

We are looking for a seasoned strategist to work with partners around the world to accelerate decarbonisation of a major industrial sector.

The International Energy Programme is working with the Climate Works Foundation, the ECF European Industrial strategy team, Energy Foundation China and partners elsewhere in Asia to initiate a global effort to accelerate decarbonization of iron and steel. 

The general nature of the role is to identify and work with partners to co-develop strategy and to make grants, convene actors and initiatives and build forward looking strategies, especially on grantmaking, based on robust facts and analysis.

Key responsibilities

The Manager, Steel will be responsible for developing and recommending strategy to the core partners in the initiative and managing implementation of the steel programme.

Responsibilities include:

• Investigate and recommend a global strategic approach to steel decarbonization (addressing global trade, technology innovation, transition and economic drivers and seeking progress in line with climate imperatives);

• Lead implementation of strategy and grantmaking;

• Build a productive network across the regional climate foundations on steel strategy;

• Convene and develop a field of partners as co-developers of strategy; maintain productive relationships with grantees and other partners, to support strong collaboration and a creative shared approach to problem-solving;

• Lead grantmaking on the theme in the international energy programme and enable well aligned grantmaking from regional climate foundation partners.

• Liaise with philanthropic foundations to advise strategy on steel and prepare grant proposals and assist alignment of foundation engagement on steel;

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external actors and opinion formers on steel to inform strategy and improve effectiveness – across civil society, labour, business and government;

• Administration of grantmaking with the support of the International Energy Programme grants management and finance team including monitoring performance and evaluation.

Experience and competencies

• University degree or equivalent;

• At least eight years of relevant professional experience. In this case relevant experience is around a track record of bringing about change through, for example, public campaigning, advocacy, network mobilization or inside an agency, business or government setting;

• International experience ideally touching on the OECD, India and China;

• A specific understanding of the iron and steel sector and decarbonization options is desirable but not essential;

• A good understanding of international politics and dynamics on climate change and energy;

• Excellence in strategic thinking, and demonstrable ability to translate strategy into implementation;

• Proven management and leadership skills;

• Excellence in networking including demonstrable ability to maintain trusting professional relationships across different sectors, a diverse group of partners, including many working in different cultural contexts;

• Excellent written and verbal communications, with the ability to crystallise complex issues into effective and readable strategy documents. The ability to speak relevant languages is welcome;

• A commitment to the mission and values of the international programme and ECF;

• A demonstrable ability to self-manage and self-organise establishing your own workspace and schedule.

What we offer

• A unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international team who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous approach to work;

• An extended network of close partners with technical understanding of the issues, strong international and local change-making experience and a deep knowledge of grantmaking and strategy development;

• A highly flexible self-managed approach in terms of day-to-day arrangements.

• An initial 12 month contract.

Location

Location is flexible however a European time zone is most practical given the need to work with Asia, Europe and the US. The candidate will need to demonstrate their ability to fulfill the demands of the role from their preferred location which can include a home office.

How to apply

1. CV

2.  Short cover letter expressing your motivation for this role.

Candidates need to be in the possession of a work permit for the work location, if applicable

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