Programme Manager, Italy

Company Description
About the European Climate Foundation
The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help

tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the

national, European and global level.

We support over 1000 partner organizations to carry out activities that drive urgent and

ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public

debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy

and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

The ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best innovative

solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a

wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause. If you share our values of respect,

innovation, and collaboration, join us.

National context and Building Political Will in Italy
Italy has faced multiple crisis in recent years that requires structural solutions to revamp its

economy and protect businesses and people. Furthermore, the impact of climate change is

becoming more tangible, with extreme weather events impacting communities and citizens

across the country. Climate mitigation and adaptation measures cannot be postponed any

longer. Although climate represents a serious threat for our fragile ecosystem, the government

is reluctant to undertake ambitious policies due to vested industrial interests and lack of

understanding of the potential positive impact of the energy and clean industrial transition.

The ECF's Building Political Will Program in Italy aims at increasing support for climate

mitigation and decarbonization actions through strategic granting and partnerships with civil

society organization, economic and industrial players. The BPW Italy program funds projects

across a wide range of sectors and issues seeking to strengthen the dialogue with national

decision makers, expanding coalition with socio-economic players and empowering civil society

organizations to be an active player in the just transition.

The ECF team is an energetic and committed group of professionals who strive for generating a

positive impact in the Italian ecosystem.

Position

Key Responsibilities
This job offers an excellent opportunity to co-design a growing ECF program at a crucial stage in

the development of the climate debate.

The post-holder will play a key role in co-developing the granting and fundraising programme,

providing strategic advice, dealing with grant management, monitoring and evaluating the

progress of different workstreams, and internal coordination. There will be direct engagement

with other ECF programmes, partners and funders in designing and aligning strategies.

The Programme Manager will be responsible for:

• Strategy definition and implementation: supporting the Programme Director in designing the Italian strategy by setting clear priorities, objectives and SMART indicators; aligning and and implementing the strategy with the network of core grantees.
• Political and policy analysis to strategically assess the levers for climate actions: closely monitor and analyze policy and political developments at the national and local level; sharing intel with partners and relevant stakeholders on strategies and tactics to uphold decarbonization goals.
• Grant-making and budget planning: supervising the overall investments in the country and aligning it with the strategy goals; developing the scope of work for ECF grants to implement the national strategy on the ground; building and validating proposals from potential and existing grantees; writing reports and internal assessment on the grant-making to share within the team and the whole ECF;
• Projects management: supervising internal and external projects carried out by ECF grantees by maintaining frequent communication, providing strategic direction, and ensuring accountability; monitoring, evaluating and reporting progress and impact of initiatives and grants; and acting as a liaison to report progress to ECF staff.
• Internal coordination and communication: organizing internal meetings and retreats, liaising with ECF's other program teams and the organisation's operations and communications teams to ensure proper and timely dissemination of information, and consistency and complementarity of different projects and work streams.
• Networking and representation: building partnerships with key stakeholders across the policymaking, economic and civil society communities; convening meetings; representing the programme at meetings and organize follow-up.

Requirements
Experience and competencies

• A genuine interest in the mission and values of ECF;
• Extensive knowledge of the Italian and EU policy-making processes, understanding of climate, energy and environmental policies a plus;
• 10 years of proven experience within a public authority, consulting or political organizations
• Excellent collaboration, diplomacy and influencing skills; ability to facilitate effective alignment and action by a diverse group of colleagues and partners;
• Structured, driven and able to manage many processes simultaneously;
• Strong project management skills, including monitoring, evaluation and impact analysis;
• A "can-do" attitude and a "self-starter" mentality;
• Excellent command of Italian and English (both spoken and written). Ability to speak other languages a plus;
• Proven track record of working in an environment that demands professionalism, reliability, discretion and confidentiality.

Other information

What we offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international team who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;
• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself;
• A full-time temporary contract

Location

Italy (Milan or Rome)

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please send your resume and cover letter (both in English).

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from disadvantaged or marginalised groups to apply.

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.