About the European Climate Foundation

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 350 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.

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.

The Senior 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 critical role, assisting the Accountability Director in managing and driving forward a diverse range of projects and campaigns that combine analysis, research, campaigning, alliance building and strategic communications.

Key responsibilities

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

• Support the development and operation of the team;

• Help guide and manage a small team of analysts and researchers, providing strategic and operational oversight for a wide range of work;

• Take responsibility for one or more areas of campaign development across a range of climate and energy oriented issues, and build coalitions of action around key issues in the climate space;

• Undertake strategic campaign planning, identify pivotal issues in climate politics and policy, help create capacity to address them, and drive projects from initial scoping to delivery;

• Manage relationships with external consultants, investigative journalists, researchers and partner organisations;

• Represent the team to colleagues and external partners.

Experience and competencies

Essential:

• Campaigns experience: At least seven years' experience working as a campaigner or campaigning journalist in a climate-relevant space, including a track record of impactful work;

• 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;

• Experience of designing, building and running teams delivering impactful work and the excellent organisation and negotiation skills to keep projects on track;

• A strong network of contacts in the climate 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:

• Languages beyond English;

• Expertise and networks developed working outside Europe and North America;

• Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

What we offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, small 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

Flexible, within a 5 hour timezone of the UK. We may be able to offer co-working opportunities in some locations.

You must have the required work permit / right to work for your location.

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please attach below in English:

- CV (maximum 2 pages)

- Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) detailing your motivation for the position.

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.

Closing date for applications: 13th May 2021