Communications Manager

Based in Brussels and available to start at the earliest possibility

Deadline for applications: 21st January 2009

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is the leading network of environment and development organisations based in Brussels working on halting the damaging effects of climate change in the European and global climate change policy arena. Established in 1989 to coordinate and strengthen NGO cooperation in the global climate debate, the international Climate Action Network now consists of over 500 organisations world-wide, with CAN-Europe as the largest regional node with 120 member organisations in 25 countries.

Climate Action Network Europe seeks applications for a Communications Manager to help lead the delivery and implementation of our high profile communications strategy. The position will offer the successful candidate an opportunity to be at the centre of the largest movement for global change. This is an extremely momentous time for Europe and the world to show how they will respond to the greatest challenge facing our planet. With partners in the EU and worldwide CAN Europe's communications strategy aims to build and sustain a global movement of civil society actors working to halt the dangerous effects of climate change.

The Communications Manager will collaborate with policy staff and our network partners to create and implement innovative communications tools and plans around policy priorities and target audiences. S/he will provide a full range of strategic and tactical communications services and support, both internally and externally.

The vision of CAN is A world striving actively towards and achieving the protection of the global climate in a manner that promotes equity and social justice between peoples, sustainable development of all communities, and protection of the global environment. CAN unites to work towards this vision.

CAN's mission is To support and empower civil society organisations to influence the design and development of an effective global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure its implementation at international, national and local levels in the promotion of equity and sustainable development.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years relevant professional experience preferably in journalism/press or media relations;
• University degree or equivalent qualification preferably in Communications, Media or Press Relations or Public Relations;
• Working knowledge of EU institutions and processes;
• Experience or interest in environmental policy, climate change experience considered an asset;
• Journalism or media training considered an asset;
• Native level written and spoken English; another EU language considered an asset.

• Experience with writing and editing, managing publications from drafting, editing and design phase to distribution;
• Solid grounding in Microsoft Office applications;
• Knowledge of, and contacts with, the news media is highly desirable;
• Demonstrable attention to detail and organisation; ability to prioritise and juggle diverse tasks;
• Proven diplomatic skills and experience coordinating differing views;
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to different situations and to work under tight deadlines;
• A good team player coupled with ability to be self-reliant and self-disciplined, and use one's own initiative and generate new ideas
• Willingness to travel.

Main tasks:

Responsible for Internal (staff and network relations) and external (press, public and relevant stakeholders) communications, and developing and implementing a communications strategy, which includes:

• Writing, editing and dissemination of press releases and other documents, responding to media enquiries;
• Organising production and editing of publications such as our newsletter Hotspot (http://www.climnet.org/hotspot/hotspot.htm)
• Manage content and updates to the website (www.climnet.org)
• Assist in the development and follow-up of advocacy strategies;
• Maintain a contact databases of experts and journalists;
• Send email updates on policy developments to the network;
• Database management: Database of contacts and Directory of Members;
• Descriptive reporting to funding organisations;
• Representation of CAN at events to be agreed with director on a case-by-case basis;
• Develop/liaise and maintain contacts with the media.

We offer an exciting and enthusiastic working environment with a close knit, passionate team of climate advocacy professionals. We are fully engaged in all the respective political processes at EU and UN level at a crucial point in time, only 10 months away from the Copenhagen climate summit. The team is committed to achieving a fair and equitable global agreement, which will keep global temperatures as far below 2oC as possible. We are dedicated to ensuring strong cooperation between the European and international NGOs and other colleagues in Brussels.

Interested candidates should send a motivation letter with their C.V. to: jobs@climnet.org . As we have several vacancies running concurrently, do please state explicitly 'Communications Manager' in the subject line of the email.