Administrative Assistant, Finance and Economics

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) was established in 2008 as a major philanthropic initiative to promote climate and energy policies that greatly reduce Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions and to help Europe play a stronger international leadership role to mitigate climate change. The ECF is funded by major multi-year commitments from donors in Europe and the United States. The ECF is part of the international ClimateWorks Network that shares goals, strategies and resources to address the global challenge of climate change mitigation with a global network of aligned organizations.

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

Finance and Economics at ECF

The Finance and Economics cluster at the ECF is a new venture, focusing specifically on the catalytic role of private sector finance in the low-carbon transition in Europe. We work across the ECF programmes and with our grantee partners on two broad workstreams:

• Deepening the understanding of future stranded-asset risks in carbon-intensive investments and thus contributing to the financing shift away from high-carbon activities; and
• Improving investor familiarity with low-carbon finance as well as reducing or removing the various regulatory, policy and market-design obstacles to the rollout of low-carbon finance at scale in European markets.

Our work proceeds from a deep understanding of private sector finance and its interactions with government policy at both a national and European level.

The position – Administrative Assistant, Finance and Economics

The Finance and Economics cluster is looking for a committed and energetic professional to support its research programme. The selected candidate will be based in Berlin, work full-time and report to the Associate Strategic Planning. Tasks include the following:

• Supporting the Finance and Economics team in managing the ECF’s research programme,
• Organising and administering grantee partnerships, both in terms of work programme direction and administrative documentation,
• Supporting the drafting of terms of reference for research projects and the assessment of proposals,
• Supporting the preparation of grant dockets for Board meetings,
• Supporting the organisation of internal and external meetings and events,
• Preparing agendas, taking minutes of meetings and calls, assisting in the preparation of presentations and reports,
• Administering and monitoring programme and team activities,
• Performing other day-to-day duties as required.

The ideal candidate embodies the following professional qualifications, experience and personal attributes:

• At least two years of college or university degree with administrative focus,
• A minimum of two years successful administrative experience in an international environment,
• Excellent analytical, writing, editing and communications skills in English,
• Aptitude with outlook, excel, word and powerpoint,
• Ideally some experience in working with grant-making and fundraising,
• Ideally some experience of climate change issues in a professional setting,
• Proven ability to work in and adapt to fast changing and pressured environments,
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of people, demonstrated strengths in cross-organisation collaboration,
• Positive attitude, flexibility and willingness to help,
• Excellent attention to detail,
• Strong interest in the mission of the European Climate Foundation.

We offer a challenging position with great possibilities for professional development and an excellent work atmosphere.

Location:                     Berlin, Germany

Start date:                   As soon as practicable

Duration:                    12 months with possible extension

Compensation:            Competitive

To apply:  Please send your CV and cover letter in English to SMO-AAFE@Europeanclimate.org. Please indicate ´Recruitment – (job title)´ in the Subject line. Telephone calls will not be forwarded to the recruitment team. All candidates will however receive a written reply.

Application deadline: 31 August 2015

For more information on the ECF, please visit www.europeanclimate.org