Strategic Communications Senior Associate

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 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.

The ECF team is a highly dynamic group of individuals, combining ambition and passion with a rigorous, results-oriented and analytic approach to the work. The ECF’s culture is one of intensity, enthusiasm and mutual support.

About the role

ECF’s Transport Programme has developed an ambitious strategy to accelerate the transition towards greener ways of personal mobility across Europe. The Strategic Communications Senior Associate -Transport will be in charge of translating this strategy into a solid communications plan, supporting partners, and leading the implementation of the Transport Programme’s communications activities and campaigns.

The Senior Associate is a member of both the Transport Programme and ECF’s Strategic Communications Team, the outreach unit of the Foundation. The Strategic Communications 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. The team delivers strategic advice, communications and outreach services to ECF programmes and grantees and helps build strategic communications capacity in the wider climate community.

Key Responsibilities

As Strategic Communications Senior Associate -Transport, you will be responsible for:

• Leading the public communications work of ECF’s Transport Programme, ensuring the overall strategy is translated into communications initiatives that support the narrative and objectives.

• Working with the Transport Team to ensure a communications perspective is injected across all stages of strategic decision-making.

• Working with partners and grantees of the Transport Programme in planning and executing the dissemination of planned public reports and media briefings, translating findings into accessible concepts and effective communications materials, and developing workable campaigns and communications plans around key political moments.

• Working with ECF’s Strategic Communications team to ensure the communications work of the Transport team is articulated with ECF’s overall communications efforts, capitalizing on knowledge, synergies and existing capacity in ECF’s country offices and the wider communications network.

• Monitoring public and (social) media debates around the transition to green transport, identifying opportunities and threats, and developing communications strategies to influence and shift these debates.

• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key correspondents and editors in mainstream and specialist media for pro-active promotion of stories, outreach on emerging issues and reactive media management.

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

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

Experience and Competencies

• A strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization;

• Proven interest in environmental or transport narratives;

• 7-8 years’ experience in strategic communications. Experience as journalist is a plus;

• A strong understanding of the processes and dynamics of EU policy-making;

• Detailed understanding of the media landscape and experience with strategic story telling and messaging;

• Strong experience of development and deployment of major communications initiatives and campaigns;

• Far-reaching and active networks (media in European markets; transport / climate community)

• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills, ability to quickly build trust with partners and colleagues;

• Strong time and priority management, high level of independence and can-do mentality, good team-player with a passion for excellence;

• High levels of self-motivation, used to working as partof international teams in a matrix organization;

• Fluent in written and spoken English. Knowledge of French, German or other European languages id a distinct advantage.

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 one-year contract with possibility of extension.

Location

Preferred: Brussels, The Hague. Other ECF locations might be considered (Berlin, London, Paris, Warsaw, Madrid).

Start date

As soon as possible