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 currently accepting applications for an experienced and highly driven individual to perform the role of Senior Strategic Communications Associate, UK.

The successful candidate will be the UK lead for an international network of expert strategic communicators, acting as a centre of expertise for communication on climate change in the UK to help advance political, media and public endorsement for action at international, national and sectoral level.

Working closely with international colleagues as well as a wider UK team, including the communications manager for the UK grantees programme, he/she will build and maintain key relationships with a diverse range of partners and allies, journalists and influencers; pitch creative climate related stories in major mainstream and online media outlets; design and implement communications strategies to get climate messaging across to key audiences.

A key focus of next year’s work will be the build-up to the UN’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow – billed as the most important climate talks since Paris in 2015. This role therefore represents a particularly exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional with a sincere interest in climate and energy issues and the ambition to make a difference, to play an active role in helping speed up the low carbon transition internationally.

Key responsibilities

• Furthering narratives that promote climate action and a swift transition to a low-carbon economy in the UK and internationally
• Tracking traditional and social media debates around priority issues and developing communications strategies to influence these debates
• Developing communications plans around major domestic and international events
• Pitching international media stories and reports on climate change and the low-carbon transition to UK media, making them domestically relevant
• Promoting the voices of international experts and opinion-makers among UK media and leveraging the impact of progressive UK voices internationally
• Acting as a source of intelligence and taking the lead on stories for the international team when appropriate
• Collaborating closely with the UK Programme Communications Manager to ensure national and international communications campaigns reinforce each other
• Providing communication services and advice to the wider UK climate community
• Developing and maintaining trusted relationships with key correspondents and editors across mainstream and specialist media in the UK
• Building and leveraging structures to react quickly to emerging stories and opportunities
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting (including some financial and administrative tasks)

• A genuine interest in the mission and values of the organisation
• Proven skills to produce engaging and impactful communications materials for the UK media market
• 5+ years of professional communications experience, including some experience in media relations and political campaigning
• A strong understanding of the processes and dynamics of British and international policymaking
• A strategic thinker with proven ability to independently develop and implement robust communications plans
• Strong networking skills among a diverse range of partners
• Existing relationships with UK journalists or demonstrating the ability to build these swiftly
• Insight into how digital media can strengthen and augment campaigns and ideally experience of commissioning and/or creating digital output
• Ability to organise and effectively chair meetings, including media briefings, where necessary
• Vision, confidence and service orientation, as well as a proven ability to bring others along on collective strategies
• An independent self-starter able to work on his/her own as well as part of a remote team
• Excellent command of the English language (both spoken and written)
• Experience of working as part of an international network would be beneficial
• The disposition to work generously with colleagues in a high-trust global community of peers
• 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

What we offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a 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 a space to develop and challenge yourself
• A full-time position with a 12-months fixed term contract (with possibility to extend)

Location

London, some travel required national and international

Start date

January 2020

How to apply

Please upload below: 

1. CV
2. short cover letter expressing your motivation for this role
3. both in English!

Only applications following the HOW TO APPLY instructions will be considered for the role!