Senior Associate, Strategic Communications, Italy

European Climate Foundation Bruxelles Belgium Corporate Communications
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Company Description

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 500 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.

Position

ECF is currently accepting applications for an experienced communications specialist to work as the strategic communications country lead for Italy within an international network of communications professionals in the field of climate and energy, working alongside the ECF.

The role offers a unique opportunity for an individual with an established interest in Italian politics and climate issues to work with a talented team and play an active role in helping speed up the low carbon transition in Italy as well as across Europe and on a global 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 on a broader level. The work will involve maintaining trusted relationships with key journalists and stakeholders in Italy.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and highly driven communications professional with the ambition to make a difference and play an active role in speeding up the low carbon transition and helping to avoid the worst impacts of global climate change.

This role would suit someone with a background in communications, campaigning, journalism or public affairs. If you think this sounds like you, please apply!

Key responsibilities

The Senior Associate, Strategic Communications, Italy, will be responsible for:

  • Working hand in hand with an international network of communications experts who seek to advance the momentum of the low carbon transition

  • Supporting strategic communications work which aims to boost national climate action across traditional and digital media spheres in Italy

  • Developing and maintaining trusted relationships with key journalists and editors across mainstream and specialist media in Italy

  • Shaping, writing, pitching and amplifying newsworthy interventions in line with the communications objectives for projects; monitoring impact and outcomes

  • Organise press conferences, develop background briefs, draft op-eds and other communications materials for media surrounding political developments in Italy (in both English and Italian)

  • Supporting partners with communications work to amplify key messages, reports and other outputs from partners, producing communications materials such as press releases and op-eds of the highest quality and standard and providing capacity building

  • Providing guidance on digital outreach campaigns in collaboration with colleagues and partners

  • Closely following the political and media debates in Italy to identify opportunities for engagement and acting as a source for intelligence for colleagues and partners

Requirements

  • A genuine interest in the mission and values of the organisation
  • A good understanding of political and communication issues is essential, specific knowledge in climate or the ecological transition is a plus
  • Significant professional experience (at least 5 years) in journalism, campaigning or communications, ideally with a track record of impactful media relations and digital communications
  • A good understanding of the processes and dynamics of policy-making in Italy
  • Existing media contacts and knowledge of the Italian media landscape is essential, and understanding the value of strategic story placement in an international political context highly desirable.
  • Understanding of, or interest in the Italian digital landscape (social media, influencers and unconventional media) would be a plus
  • Outstanding Italian language skills, with proven ability to produce engaging and impactful communications materials
  • Excellent English language skills are required, as this is the main language of the organisation
  • Experience in management would be a plus
  • The ability to work effectively with minimal guidance, as well as the ability to take initiative and work independently
  • The disposition to work with colleagues in a high-trust international community of peers with a spirit of generosity and mutual support, as well as with external stakeholders
  • 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
  • International experience is a plus

Other information

What we offer

  • The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic 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 permanent employment contract.

Location

Italy – remote position (no shared office space is available)

We will only consider applicants who have the right to work in Italy.

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!

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

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups to apply.