Communications Manager for the EU CrAFt Project

About the European Cultural Foundation

Our founders established the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) in 1954, envisioning a united Europe where citizens feel proud to be European—a place where they can live, express themselves, work, and dream freely, in diversity and harmony. Ever since, the ECF has promoted a sense of European identity by developing and supporting cultural initiatives that allow us to share, experience, and imagine Europe. We believe our mission is as urgent today as it was back then, as there are still many challenges that divide Europe, cause polarization, and lead to inequality. Culture has an important role to play here, helping to bridge these gaps, bringing people together, opening new paths, and discovering and imagining possibilities. We are a committed, ambitious, diverse, and open an international foundation with a strong network and a long-standing reputation for building partnerships across Europe.

About the role

We are currently looking for a Communications Manager for the EU-funded project called CrAFt: Creating Actionable Futures: Making Climate-Neutral Cities Inclusive, Beautiful, and Sustainable (EU Horizon Europe program). The project runs from May 2022 through April 2025. You will work closely with ECF’s Public Policy Manager, who is responsible for coordinating the project on behalf of ECF. Your main task is to work on a Europe-wide multimedia storytelling campaign, co-creating positive and inclusive narratives toward climate-neutral futures, for, with, and by citizens and communities. The campaign will mobilize stakeholders from the artistic, cultural, and creative sectors across Europe, engage the New European Bauhaus community, and involve citizens and cities across Europe in its advocacy for a climate-neutral future.

What will you be doing?

We are looking for an experienced Communications Manager who is passionate about campaigning and building communities for change. The EU project involves eight partners working closely together. You will work at the intersection of communications and public policy to develop and implement a storytelling media campaign. Raise public awareness, mobilize stakeholders, and build communities for change toward a climate-neutral future. You will also handle the project’s day-to-day communications and outreach, including social media and website management.

In particular, the Communications Manager will:

• Develop and implement CrAFt’s communication strategy, dissemination, and exploitation plan;
• Build a community among all project stakeholders and engage them with positive stories, examples, and guidelines about the transition to climate-neutral cities and communities;
• Collect best practices, local governance models, and (policy) messages for the development and implementation of the multimedia storytelling campaign;
• Contribute to raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and setting the agenda through a storytelling campaign that gives citizens and communities an active role;
• Coordinate the production of toolkits and communications packages for all CrAFt partners, to be incorporated into their communication plans and used to mobilize their communities;
• Engage stakeholders from the artistic, cultural, and creative sectors across Europe, as well as European policymakers, to help challenge existing narratives and create new ones across sectors, actors, and disciplines.

In addition, it is important that you meet the following requirements:

• Have at least 5 years of experience in a similar role;
• Be a flexible and efficient worker with experience working under tight deadlines;
• Experienced in navigating different work cultures and working within a multi-stakeholder consortium;
• Can work independently;
• Have excellent writing and editing skills;
• Have proven experience with storytelling and multimedia tools (e.g., WordPress, Teams, etc.) and be well-versed in social media;
• Be passionate about campaigning and advocating for social change;
• Have a strong interest in contributing to a climate-neutral and more sustainable future and co-creation models;
• Ideally, you should be familiar with the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus principles and the European Green Deal;
• Have an excellent command of spoken and written English; knowledge of any other languages is a plus.
• Preferably be based and registered in the Netherlands;

When joining ECF, we ask that you confirm that you possess the following competencies relevant to the role:

AWARENESS – You are aware of cultural nuances and sensitive to the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion. You are able to put these values into practice on a daily basis. You recognize the value of diversity and are able to foster a sense of inclusion and belonging among colleagues and stakeholders across cultures and belief systems.

INTEGRITY – You demonstrate strong moral and ethical principles and strive to do the right thing. You are able to build relationships and trust based on honesty, reliability, accountability, and consistency. You adhere to ECF’s Code of Conduct.

FLEXIBILITY – You can adapt to changing circumstances and, when necessary, adjust your approach or behavior in order to achieve the desired goal. You can anticipate change, take the initiative to adapt, and encourage others to adjust to change.

ANALYTICAL – You grasp the essence of complex issues through logical reasoning, by investigating potential causes, separating key messages from the mass of details, and recognizing their interdependence.

ENTREPRENEURIAL – You are able to identify and pursue new opportunities, bring them to fruition, and take calculated risks. Identify new opportunities for the organization and take action to capitalize on them. Develop new projects and programs and/or form new partnerships.

NETWORKING – You know how to build and maintain relationships to help achieve your personal goals and those of the organization.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING – You effectively coordinate activities, time, and resources to achieve objectives. You are able to manage, coordinate, and monitor (program, communication, and advocacy) activities and collaborate with colleagues and partners to accomplish mutually agreed-upon tasks.

We offer:

• An opportunity to create, thrive, and grow as part of an international team; 
• The opportunity to join Europe’s only truly European cultural foundation;
• Being part of an organization with an impressive legacy but one that isn't stuck in the past;
• Flexible work arrangements that combine working from the office and working remotely;
• The fun and joy that comes from working with a diverse team on things that matter;
• Salary ranging from EUR 3,100 to EUR 4,529 gross per month, on a full-time basis, including a 13th-month bonus, an 8% vacation allowance, and a benefits package;
• A one-year contract, with the possibility of extension, and 3.5–4 days a week (0.7 or 0.8 FTE).

How to apply:

The application deadline is September 4, 2022. Interested candidates should email their resume and cover letter to Leonie Roeloffzen, HR Advisor, at vacancies@culturalfoundation.eu. The selection process will consist of two interviews (via Zoom or in person). We reserve the right to invite early applicants for interviews before the deadline.