Team Leader Communications

Team Leader Communications

ECMWF - European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts

Bonn, Germany

Job reference: VN23-29
Deadline for applications: 15/06/2023
Salary and Grade: Grade A3 EUR 103,517 (DE) NET of tax
Contract type: STF-PL
Department: Office of the Director-General
Contract Duration: 4 years with the possibility of extension

About ECMWF

ECMWF is both a research institute and a 24/7 operational service, producing and disseminating numerical weather predictions to its Member States. ECMWF carries out scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of its forecasts, collects and processes large amounts of observations, and manages a long-term archive of meteorological data. Satellite and in situ observations provide the information for up-to- date global analyses and climate reanalyses of the atmosphere, ocean and land surface.

ECMWF staff benefit from a teleworking policy which allows them to work remotely up to ten days per month (rules and line management approval apply).

For additional details, see www.ecmwf.int.

About Copernicus

ECMWF has been entrusted to operate the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) on behalf of the European Commission for a second term, and until the end of 2027. Copernicus is the European Union (EU) flagship Earth-observation programme. The Copernicus programme ensures operational monitoring of the atmosphere, oceans, and continental surfaces, and provides reliable, validated information services for a range of environmental and security applications. Based on the exploitation of space based and in situ observations and models, Copernicus provides information services for land, marine, atmospheric and climate monitoring, as well as emergency management and security.

For details see http://www.copernicus.eu/.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to air pollution and health, solar energy, greenhouse gases and climate forcing, everywhere in the world. For details see www.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provides authoritative information about the past, present and future climate, as well as tools to enable climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies by policy makers and businesses. For details see www.climate.copernicus.eu/.

About Destination Earth

ECMWF is also one of the entities entrusted by the European Commission to implement the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative, alongside with ESA and EUMETSAT as partners. The objective of the DestinE initiative is to deploy several highly accurate thematic digital replicas of the Earth, called Digital Twins.

Summary of the role

The Team Leader Communications ​​​​​​​reports to the Directors of Copernicus Services for the day to day activities, and works under the direction of the Head of Communications at ECMWF for overall communications strategies and policy matters.

Leading a small communications team (typically 4 FTE) the post-holder is responsible for the definition and implementation of all the communication activities of the CAMS and C3S services, aimed at increasing awareness and user uptake of the services. Its portfolio of activities includes general communications tasks, delivery of events and conferences services, press management, web services, as well as support to user uptake related matters. Now in their tenth year of activity at ECMWF, both C3S and CAMS have reached a very high media visibility, with publications and data- sets recognised and valued worldwide. The annual 'European State of the Climate' publication, environmental datasets as well as climate and air quality information available through networks such as Euronews and CNN are amongst the assets that the post-holder will get to manage, promote and build upon. The post-holder also has oversight of the communication activities of the Destination Earth EU-initiative.

The post-holder should have extensive experience in print and digital communication, stakeholder management (internal and external), coupled with a strong understanding of media relations and promotion activities. The post-holder should also have demonstrated experience in designing and delivering communication strategies across different sectors and communities at international level. The post-holder will translate complex information in to easy-to-understand messaging across different audiences and European countries. A background in the field of environmental sciences and policies is highly desirable.

The post-holder will be part of the Copernicus Management Team and will be accountable for design, delivery and evaluation of the programme’s communications strategies and plans. The post-holder will work closely with the Copernicus Management Team to ensure that the communications activities are aligned to the programme objectives, and will be the focal point to the European Commission and Copernicus stakeholders for all communication aspects.

A significant part of the Copernicus communication tasks is subcontracted externally, with an associated multi-million budget. The post holder will be responsible for defining the scope of the outsourced work and managing it efficiently to achieve the overall communication objectives.

Experience in managing outsourced communications activities and in delivering successfully communication services through a network of suppliers is required.

The post-holder will work under the directions of the Head of Communications at ECMWF to ensure that the Copernicus and Destination Earth communication activities are aligned with ECMWF communications policies.

What we’re looking for

• Defining and delivering the Copernicus services communication strategies and work plans, and managing and implementing all related tasks and activities;
• Coordinating the communication strategies and plans with the European Commission and the programme ecosystem;
• Managing the Copernicus Communication team (typically 4 FTE) as well as the Destination Earth Lead Communication Officer;
• Managing interaction with stakeholders, from identification and mapping to managing events, promoting activities and media outreach;
• Managing all outsourced communication contracts, from tendering to day-to-day execution, monitoring performance and outcomes, and implementing corrective/preventive actions if required;
• Designing and implementing a targeted press and social media outreach strategy, with clear and measurable objectives and targets, and monitoring performance;
• Overseeing the web platforms of the ECMWF Copernicus services and Destination Earth;
• Managing participation in events and conferences across Europe, as well as to organize key events;
• Animating and coordinating a network of communications specialists of the industrial consortia subcontracted by ECMWF across Europe for the delivery of the CAMS and C3S as well as of communications leads from relevant national mandated institutions in the domains covered by the Services. This involves aligning communications policies and messages, coordinating activities, and ensuring that the ECMWF, EU Copernicus, CAMS and C3S and Destination Earth branding is promoted and properly addressed;
• Representing Copernicus services and Destination Earth in meetings and events as required, mostly across Europe and in Brussels in particular.

Personal attributes

• Ability to work at strategic, tactical and operational levels, with a strong can-do attitude to handle the diverse requirements of this role;
• Understanding of and an interest in the scientific culture in which ECMWF works and willingness to adapt to its specificities. Genuine interest in the Copernicus environmental services;
• Ability to lead and inspire a diverse team, as well as work as part of this team;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Creativity and proactivity, ability to work autonomously and to take initiatives;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to manage priorities autonomously;
• Strong sense of accountability and customer focus.

Qualifications and experience required​​​​​​​

• A university degree in a relevant discipline;
• Experience in digital communication, and the ability to identify best uses of electronic communications for each audience group and project/programme objective;
• Demonstrated experience in designing communications strategies for public or private services;
• Experience in managing communications channels, including but not limited to digital, print, social media and events, matching each channel with specific audiences and expected outcome;
• Proven experience in budget management;
• Demonstrated successful delivery of communication services through a network of suppliers;
• Experience in addressing different types of audiences, as well as in different European countries;
• Experience of working in international projects and/or with an international customers base would be an advantage;
• Experience and understanding of environmental policies would be desirable;
• Experience in line-managing staff, as well as inspiring a team, and colleagues across the organisation, including virtually.

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English. A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) and other European languages would be an advantage.

Other information

Grade remuneration: The successful candidate will be recruited at the A3 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. The annual basic salary will be Grade A3 EUR 103,517 (Bonn) NET of income tax. ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. The position will be in the employment category  STF-PL  as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs, including the ECMWF Staff Regulations and the terms and conditions of employment.
Starting date:  As soon as possible
Length of contract: 4 years with the possibility of extension, depending on the next phase of the Copernicus programme at ECMWF.
Location:  Bonn, Germany. The post-holder will be expected to travel to meetings, events and conferences, mainly within Europe.

As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office and tele-working. Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

Interviews by videoconference (virtual via MS Teams) are expected to take place shortly after the closing date of the vacancy announcement, likely during the week of 17 July.

Who can apply

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button below.

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion.

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States, as well as from all EU Member States.

ECMWF Member and Co-operating States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy.

Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.

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