Director, Funder Intelligence, Strategic Communications

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.

About the role

Funder Intelligence, Strategic Communications (FISC) is a new initiative hosted by the European Climate Foundation (ECF). The initiative seeks to provide funders with insight into the political communications operating context in key venues to help inform grant making decisions and maximise communications impact. FISC will identify and describe the gaps in the field in terms of the opportunities they represent and their relative strategic importance, as well as providing a point of connectivity between current and potential strategic communications funders and other interested parties, helping to facilitate collaboration and coordination and a shared view of the international climate space.

The FISC Director leads and implements work to provide funders with up to date political intelligence and advice for the climate community. This includes intelligence gathering through international networks, external stakeholder convention and strategic planning for presentation to funders.

The FISC Director reports to the Executive Director, Strategic Communications, and will manage a position in the future.

Key responsibilities

• Developing and leading the FISC unit and managing FISC work, strategy and advisory output;
• Building capacity within the climate community to collect and discuss political intelligence and strategy to advise funders;
• Expanding high-impact work that builds/deepens public support and political will to achieve national climate targets nationally and globally;
• Identifying work that will broaden public support by diversifying the constituencies engaging on climate change;
• Building and maintaining relationships with other climate stakeholders, promoting collaboration and coordination;
• Conducting field-level research on investment opportunities for climate communications;
• Reporting to the board / advisory group on FISC recommendations and output.

Experience and competencies

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in politics, journalism, communications and/or the climate movement;
• Proven leadership, management and strategic planning skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of global politics and the climate movement;
• Experience with stakeholder convention and facilitation;
• Gravitas to work at board/principal level with tact, discretion and good judgement;
• Previous working experience of relevance for this position within a philanthropy, an NGO or a corporate or international organisation;
• Excellent spoken and written English, other languages an asset;
• Strong presentation, facilitation and networking skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to quickly build rapport with partners and colleagues while remote working;
• The disposition to work generously with colleagues in an international, multicultural community of peers, and the ability to work across international norms and values;
• The versatile and adaptable skills necessary to flourish in a fast-paced and wide-ranging work environment where remote work is the norm;
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in service to the community and cause;
• A significant interest in climate and the environment;
• A passion for excellence.

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 professional activities;
• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself;
• A consultant contract for an initial period of 24 months, with the possibility of extension.

Location

USA, preferably in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Some travel may be required as and when possible.

Only candidates with the right to work in their location will be considered.

How to apply

Please click on the ‘apply for job’ button to submit your application. For this role, kindly submit a MS Word version of your CV and a cover letter detailing your motivation and how you are suited to this role.  Please name your submitted files with the following reference: ECF_FISC.

Please note that the interview dates for this role will be confirmed with you should your application be successful.

Red Sea is committed to meeting the standards set out in their Equality and Diversity recruitment policy; this includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.