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 transition to a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level. We support around 700 partner organisations to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

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

As the Strategic Communications Associate, Energy, you’ll be part of the ECF’s Strategic Communications Team. The team acts as a centre of expertise on climate communications and seeks to help create more political, media and public endorsement for action on climate change at an international, European and sectoral level. This role would involve working closely with our colleagues in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

The Strategic Communications team delivers advice, communications, and outreach services to ECF programmes and grantees, and helps build strategic communications capacity in the wider climate community. This role will primarily support the ECF energy programmes with the development of communications plans and tactics, seeking to reach and influence a wide range of actors – from policy makers to businesses and citizens. The role may also support other elements of ECF’s communications work as required.

We’re looking for someone who understands the power of narrative and can deliver communications projects that challenge, and seek to rewrite, received wisdom and common-sense assumptions around the energy transition.

As a team, we use data and audience insights to inform our strategy. You’ll need to bring this perspective to the table to support our grantmaking at European and national level. You’ll also need to be ready to help us find and amplify new voices and ensure they reach key audiences on a variety of channels.

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

Key responsibilities

Reporting to the Strategic Communications Energy Lead, the Strategic Communications Associate will be responsible for:

• Accompanying the work of the ECF’s Fossil Free Energy programmes and initiatives to ensure a communications perspective is injected across all stages of strategic decision-making

• Working with a wide spectrum of internal and external partners to turn strategy into results,

particularly in the Eastern and Southeastern European regions

• Staying on top of the political and media debates in Brussels and key European countries to identify opportunities for engagement

• Making full use of new and innovative methods of digital communications to disseminate messages and raise awareness of ECF-supported initiatives and outputs

• Following the grantmaking process and assessing the quality of proposals and impact reported

• Helping to build new constituencies in support of clean energy and renovations, especially among crucial groups like place- and identity-based communities, thought leaders and business and industry groups.

• Supporting our efforts to build capacity in exiting grantees and encouraging more creative campaigning

• Using action-based storytelling and positive framing on real-life economic and community benefits of wind, solar, grids, clean (district) heating and renovations, especially successful community energy stories and ‘happy customer’ testimonials that link renewables to key messages on security, control and local pride.

Experience and competencies

• A genuine interest in the mission and values of the organisation

• A good understanding of communication issues related to climate and energy

• Between 2-5 years of professional communications experience, with a proven track record of successful media relations and digital communications

• Familiarity with the European media landscape, especially in Eastern and Southeastern Europe

• The ability to work as part of a team, to foster fruitful relationships and to collaborate with stakeholders internally and externally

• The ability to communicate effectively with minimal guidance

• The disposition to work with colleagues in a high-trust international community of peers with a spirit of generosity and mutual support

• Outstanding English skills, with proven skills to produce engaging and impactful communications materials

• Knowledge of at least one Eastern or Southeastern European language

• Other European languages welcome but not essential

What we can offer you

• The 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 one-year fixed term employment contract (with possibility to extend).

• We hire people with exceptional talents, abilities and potential, then create an environment where you can become the best version of yourself and thrive both professionally and personally.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity and strives to be a Great Place to Work for All. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, regardless of any aspect that makes them unique (including race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, ...).

If you need any specific accommodation due to disability or any other reason, you can let the recruiter know during your application process.

Starting date

ASAP

Location

Any ECF location

How to apply

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