The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change is an independent body providing the EU with scientific knowledge, expertise and advice relating to climate change. The Advisory Board evaluates policies and identifies actions and opportunities to successfully achieve the EU’s climate targets. It was established in 2021 by the European Climate Law and consists of 15 independent senior scientific experts covering a broad range of relevant disciplines.
The Advisory Board is supported in its work by a secretariat composed of enthusiastic experts with interdisciplinary competencies relating to climate change and the Advisory Board’s mandate. The Secretariat is hosted by the EEA, based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Secretariat to the Advisory Board seeks to recruit one experienced professional to join an open, positive, multicultural, and interdisciplinary team of enthusiastic experts to support the work of the Advisory Board and the execution of its work programme. We are in particular looking for a candidate with experience and expertise in online communication and science-to-policy communication.
Under the responsibility of the Head of the Secretariat to the Advisory Board and as a member of the Secretariat’s communication team, the Expert shall support communication activities related to the Advisory Board’s work.
The position will entail the following tasks:
- Managing and supporting communication projects by contributing to their conception, planning, and implementation, ensuring timely delivery aligned with key policy processes, and dissemination to key stakeholders, such as EU institutions, via targeted products and channels;
- Supporting the preparation and outreach of advice from the Advisory Board, in close collaboration with colleagues, through writing, messaging, and copy editing of various products, including scientific reports, press releases, presentations and briefing notes;
- Developing and maintaining the Advisory Board's online presence through targeted communication on its website and social media channels, as well as producing engaging online digital content such as videos, data visualisations, and infographics;
- Supporting Advisory Board members in their engagement and dialogue with relevant stakeholders, particularly in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation;
- Tracking relevant European policy processes and milestones, and working collaboratively with colleagues in the Secretariat to identify opportunities for impactful communication and outreach across the EU, including outreach efforts in Member States;
- Preparing events and exploring opportunities to hold joint activities with relevant stakeholders, with the aim of increasing the Advisory Board’s visibility among target audiences;
- Coordinating and managing contracts with external providers.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Candidates applying must satisfy the following eligibility criteria on the closing date for the submission of applications:
a) Successful completion of university studies attested by a degree relevant in the field concerned of at least 3 years;
b) A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience after achieving the qualification set out above.
In addition, in order to be eligible a candidate must:
- Be a national of one of the member countries of the EEA (Member States of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Türkiye);
- Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
- Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by law concerning military service;
- Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the EEA member countries and a satisfactory knowledge of another of these languages (corresponding to level B.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages CEFR);
- Meet the character requirements for the duties involved;
- Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.
Candidates should assess carefully and check before submitting their application whether they fulfil all the conditions for admission laid down in the vacancy notice, particularly in terms of qualifications and relevant professional experience.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
(In your application, please provide examples from current or past work experience where these competencies have been applied)
Essential:
- Proven experience developing and shaping communication in science-to-policy context, including a demonstrated ability to synthesise scientific and technical information into clear, actionable policy-relevant messaging;
- Demonstrated experience in online communication, including creating and evaluating outreach materials in a policy context, with an emphasis on enhancing reach and impact through digital channels;
- Experience in coordinating and managing stakeholders, with a strong understanding of EU institutional audiences and stakeholders, as well as effective stakeholder engagement strategies;
- Proven project management skills and experience in managing and structuring complex communication projects from conceptualisation to evaluation, including oversight of timelines, deliverables, and budgets;
- Excellent command of written and spoken English language, at least at level C1 in all categories according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language.
Advantageous:
- Proven experience working with European Union in a climate context and/ or knowledge and professional experience in EU climate policy developments and processes;
- Strong visual communication skills, including graphic design for reports and presentations, and experience producing digital content (e.g., videos, data visualisations, infographics).
In addition to the requirements above, candidates invited to the written test and interview stage, will also be assessed against the following behavioural competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a wide range of people and management levels;
- Ability to work collaboratively and in different roles, to circulate information and to share methods and good practice with colleagues to deliver on common work goals;
- Ability to use self-reflection and feedback to improve self-awareness and share insights with others;
- Strong autonomy, organisational and project management skills, with the ability to take responsibility for specific areas of work and to deliver to high standards;
- Diversity awareness and sensitivity;
- Service orientation and ability to understand stakeholder needs and requirements to ensure the delivery of high-quality results;
- Ability to seek out learning opportunities proactively, to handle situations and problems with innovation and creativity.
THE AGENCY:
The EEA is an Agency of the European Union (EU) and one of the decentralised Union bodies. The EEA aims to support sustainable development and to help achieve significant and measurable improvement in Europe’s environment, through the provision of timely, targeted, relevant and reliable information to policy-making agents and the public.