About the European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level. The ECF works at the intersection of People, Policy and Politics. The organisation brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause.

The Clean Power Programme

The overarching objective of the Clean Power programme is to create enough political and societal momentum, so that Europe reaching a zero carbon power sector by 2035 becomes inevitable.

As the energy transition starts to be implemented at scale across Europe, we must ensure that it is fair and to the benefit of local communities. An important part of this work is supporting community and municipal ownership of renewable energy.

Throughout our work we seek to make impactful and considerate philanthropic investment across civil society with strategic grant-making strategies.

The role

We are looking to strengthen our small team as we work to put Europe on a path to a clean power sector by 2035, by greatly accelerating the deployment of wind, solar and grids infrastructure.

This job offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development of an impactful strategy to support our network of Energy Democracy partners at European and national level and to help drive forward a rapid, socially-just and popular energy transition. The post-holder will play a key role in developing strategy, strengthening cooperation with our partners, and dealing with grant management. The person will be part of the Clean Power sector team and will collaborate directly with our regional and country programmes.

Candidates who can bring an Eastern European perspective would be particularly welcome. This role is open to all ECF locations.

Key responsibilities

• Strategy implementation: Work closely within the Clean Power team to co-develop and implement our partner-centred Energy Democracy strategy to achieve maximum impact.
• Relationship-building: Build and maintain strong, supportive relationships with a diverse range of ECF partners and ensure their participation in ECF processes.
• Grant-making: develop impactful grant-making strategies, identify and build relationships with priority grantees, develop and oversee grant proposals and work with the grant European Climate Foundation 2 administration officer to prepare proposals for the board and maintain an overview of the programme budget.
• Support fundraising activities: with presentations and data and context analysis to ECF’s existing and other funders.
  
• Research and analysis: conducting research in support of strategy development and fundraising, and commissioning and project management of studies for external publication.
  
• Internal coordination and communication: liaise internally with ECF’s other programmes and ensure proper and timely dissemination of information, plan and schedule internal meetings and ensure consistency and complementarity of different work streams across the organization.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Ensure that the programme operates to high performance standards in terms of impact, reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
  

Experience and competencies:

• At least 6 years of relevant work experience in the European energy and climate space with good understanding of the electricity sector (technologies, markets, politics).
• Good understanding of the political and energy context in Europe.
• Proven experience in co-developing and implementing strategies and achieving real-world change. In particular we seek someone with abilites in political power building and communications.
• Proven experience and ability to work as part of and in support of a team.
• Ability to work effectively in a networked organization and with a wide and diverse network of external partners.
• Excellent command of the English language (both spoken and written); good presentation skills. Skills in other European languages, especially in Eastern Europe, an asset.
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks.
• Enthusiastic personality, sense of humour and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Genuine passion for the mission and values of the ECF.
• Strong networking skills that enable effective collaboration with a diverse group of partners;(Stakeholder & Network Management).
• Excellent collaboration and influencing skills; (Stakeholder & Network Management) Strong diplomatic and networking skills that enable effective collaboration with a diverse group of partners; (Stakeholder & Network Management).
• Deep understanding of climate change & energy policies, as well as political challenges (Sector & Public Policy Knowledge).
  

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 fun, friendly and supportive team