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 300 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.

The ECF 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. If you share our values of respect, innovation, and collaboration, join us.

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.

The Senior Litigation Strategist sits within a team of analysts, strategists and researchers that gather and disseminate original research and intelligence to generate media stories and inform partners seeking to secure accountability for delivering a positive global response to the climate challenge. This is a new role, aimed at building out our capacity to generate original intelligence and analysis in the service of our strategic communications work across the climate movement.

Key responsibilities

The Senior Litigation Strategist will work closely with the Accountability Director to:

• Identify areas ripe for further strategic litigation to advance action on climate change;
• Develop and implement strategies for facilitating that litigation;
• Offer a critical and supportive gaze to requests for support from litigators, having regard to the legal hurdles commonly faced in different kinds of actions;
• Connect with and cultivate relevant existing litigation networks and cultivate those networks;
• Work with the Accountability team and wider network to build the campaign research and journalism architecture required to maximise the impact of climate litigation;
• Manage relationships with external consultants, legal professionals, journalists, researchers and partner organisations;
• Represent the team to colleagues and external partners.

Essential:

• Legal experience: At least seven years' experience working as a litigator, legal investigator or campaigning lawyer in a climate-relevant space, including a track record of impactful work;
• Network development: A demonstrable track record of building and maintaining a network of contacts across the communities of litigation, journalism and campaigning
• A critical thinker: Excellent analytical skills, from initial insight to research and investigations development, to campaign development;
• Communications excellence: An innate instinct for communications and a sophisticated approach to audiences and channels;
• A strategic thinker: A proven track record of producing insight that informs planning and action;
• A strong network of contacts in the litigation space;
• Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to produce clear, well-sourced and accurate insight products;
• A record of building rapport with colleagues and fostering generous and collaborative working, and the ability to do excellent work across time zones, phone/video conferencing, etc;
• A commitment to an inclusive and empowering approach to facing climate change.

Desirable:

• Direct experience of climate litigation;
• Languages beyond English.

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 position with a consultant or employment contract (subject to location) for 12 months, with a possible renewal after one year.

Location

Flexile. You can be based anywhere with a reliable internet connection. We may be able to provide co-working spaces in some locations.

You must have the right to work in your location. We will not support relocation.

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please submit a CV and a short cover letter, both in English, 1-2 pages for each.

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.

Deadline for applications: 25th May 2021