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.

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 partners and work as part of a global network of communications experts to enhance the public debate on climate change and its solutions more broadly.

In this context, ECF’s Strategic Communications team is working globally to ensure that countries review and raise their national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement in 2020.

The core of the Media Associate role is to work with partners and colleagues to source and analyse intelligence, using it to develop strategic communications interventions which push ambition in key countries ahead of the UN climate talks, COP26.

A driven and dynamic individual who is a self-starter, with a proven interest in international politics and diplomacy, you'll be working as part of a fast-paced, global team that operates in multiple media markets and multiple platforms.

In a typical week, you will work with colleagues to help familiarize them with the international climate diplomacy, track and analyse complex debates, the latest data on national climate commitments, develop pitches on relevant story ideas and digital strategies as well as providing strategic communications advice and support to partners.

You'll need to be a great communicator with excellent understanding of how to place good stories to create political impact. You'll need to understand energy and climate policy and the way it intersects with politics on national and international levels, and use this intelligence in the service of communications.

This role would suit someone with a background as a journalist and/or public affairs. If you think this sounds like you, please apply!

Key Responsibilities

As a Media Associate, Strategic Communications - International, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting strategic communications interventions which aim to boost national climate action across traditional and digital media spheres in a range of key countries
• Supporting our international network in developing impactful work in the sphere of international climate politics through providing intelligence, insight and advice
• Work with partners to source, analyse and share intelligence in order to inform and develop impactful global communications strategies
• Supporting the monitoring of television, print and social media communications on international climate diplomacy
• Shaping, writing, pitching and amplifying newsworthy interventions in line with the communications objectives for projects; monitoring impact and outcomes
• Producing and executing cutting edge digital strategies in collaboration with colleagues
• Developing and managing a calendar of key external and partner events and activities.

Essential

• A genuine interest in the mission and values of the ECF
• At least 3 - 5 years of experience in journalism, politics or public relations
• Excellent experience and understanding of the media, the media landscape and the value of strategic story placement in an international political context
• Experience developing and deployment of communications initiatives tailored for specific voices, channels and audiences (strategic placement, messaging and framing)
• Fluent spoken and written English, with excellent written and verbal communications
• High levels of self-motivation and the ability to work in a flexible and agile manner
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record in successfully navigating complex partnerships and multicultural settings
• Excellent project management skills with a demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple activities simultaneously
• The disposition to work with colleagues in a high-trust global community of peers with a spirit of generosity and mutual support
• 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, slack, email, Trello, etc.
• A commitment to an inclusive and empowering approach to facing climate change

Desirable

• Knowledge of international climate politics
• Experience in journalism and civil society communications
• Robust written and verbal communications skills in additional languages
• Professional experience working with social media and monitoring tools
• Experience working with freelancers

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 one-year fixed term contract

Location 

Flexible 

Start Date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please upload below your CV and a short cover letter explaining, in no more than 350 words, what the 3 major challenges and 3 key opportunities will be in the international climate space from now until COP26 in Glasgow.
Candidates need to be in the possession of a work permit for the work location in case applicable.