Communications Officer

Your role 

ECMWF has an exciting opportunity for a Communications Officer (B5) based at our office in Bonn, Germany. This new role will be instrumental in highlighting ECMWF’s role within the EU-funded programme, Copernicus. ECMWF implements the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The Communications Officer will join the Copernicus Communications Team, a small team covering all aspects of communications including content, events, and media relations. This core team also coordinates supporting activities conducted by contractors. The role of Communications Officer will hold a diverse range of responsibilities, including event assistance, news and content gathering and digital publishing, liaising with media, and social content creation and posting.

About ECMWF 

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world-leader in weather and environmental forecasting. As an international organisation we serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions and data that is critical for understanding and solving the climate crisis. We function as a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions, holding one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world. The success of our activities builds on the talent of our scientists and experts, strong partnerships with 35 Member and Co-operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies and machine learning across our operations. ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with a main office in Reading, UK, a data centre/supercomputer in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany. ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth Initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring. 

ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with a main office in Reading, UK, a data centre/supercomputer in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany. We appreciate the need for flexibility in the way our staff work. We adopted a hybrid work model that is widely used by staff across ECMWF - allowing everyone to work in the office as well as remotely up to 10 days/month, including away from the duty station. We also provide opportunities for part-time work arrangements, depending on job requirements. 

See   for more info about what we do. 

The Copernicus Programme of the EU

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 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 . 

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 . 

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 .

Your responsibilities 

• Promote ECMWF’s activities in the Copernicus programme - namely the Copernicus Climate Change Service and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. 
• Gather up to date information from specialists within ECMWF and create engaging posts for use on digital and social channels.   
• Work with existing science writing team to develop news and feature ideas  
• Edit and proofread publications to a native English standard.  
• Edit and update the content management system (Drupal)  
• Support in-person, hybrid and online events hosted by ECMWF including content and logistics.  
• Support communications editorial activity by taking minutes of meetings/action tracking and updating the Communications workflow grid. 
• Work and liaise with colleagues, external partners and international audiences. 

What we're looking for

• Very good English written and oral communication skills. 
• Broad contemporary communications knowledge and skills, for example, events, photo editing, digital, social. 
• Excellent attention to detail to create communications that are consistent with existing material and guidelines. 
• Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach and desire to grow and develop skills and knowledge  
• Enthusiasm for work in an international team. 
• Ability to work efficiently and complete tasks within deadlines, with and without supervision. 
• Interest in multimedia storytelling. 
• Interest in connecting science and society in creative ways.

Education and Experience

• Higher standard of education (EQF Level 6) or equivalent level of experience. 
• At least two years working in a communication function within a news organisation, PR agency, scientific organisation, international organisation or similar setting.  
• The ideal candidate will have a background in communication and demonstrate interest and/or experience in communicating science. They will preferably have worked as part of a communications team or in a communications function.  

Skills and knowledge

• Interest in science and technology with the ability to interpret and convey information for broad scientific and non-specialist audiences.  
• Broad generalist communications knowledge and skills for multi-channels, including social, digital and events. 
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders for a wide range of activities from administration to events to digital external communications support. 
• Understanding of logistics, budget planning and coordination to ensure smooth event operations. 
• A good knowledge and understanding of editing CMS platforms, implementing SEO techniques and analytics reporting.   
• Up-to-date knowledge and applicable skills on the current trends in social media communications channels. 
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills, along with attention to detail.  
• Candidates must be fluent in spoken and written English. Knowledge of another European language – particularly French and/or German would be an advantage. The interviews will be conducted in English. 
• Experience using Adobe creative cloud design tools (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and editing suite (Premier Pro, Audition) desirable. Experience on equivalent tools with willingness to learn Adobe will also be considered. 

Other information 

Grade remuneration:  The successful candidates will be recruited at the B5 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. The position is assigned to 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 . 

Starting date:  As soon as possible

Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station. As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking, including away from the duty station (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

A written test and interviews by videoconference (MS Team) are expected to take place shortly after the closing date. 

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 EU nationals and nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States: 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.