Job Description
The role
ECMWF has an exciting opportunity for a Communications Officer based at our office in Bonn, Germany. This role is an integral part of the ECMWF Communication Section that comprises editorial, digital, events and graphic design functions for external and internal communications.
The Communications Officer will have duties across both external communications and internal communications. They will need to create content, coordinate media interviews and manage ad-hoc events on-site in Bonn in liaison with the UK headquarters, as well as carry out some administrative duties to support the Communication Section.
The Communication Section handles all internal and external communications related to ECMWF’s core activities. Within the section, teams are also dedicated to providing support to the EU-funded Copernicus and Destination Earth programmes.
The work of this team includes the organisation and management of around 100 days of scientific workshops, seminars and visits per year, the publication of around 60 web articles a year, and a quarterly newsletter, digital content management, and development of other campaign materials. It also handles media requests from across the globe, mainly focussing on our scientific advances, as well as the management of internal channels dedicated to staff engagement. As an intergovernmental organisation, our external communication activities are bound by strict rules to respect our Member States’ national engagement and messaging.
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 has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the EU Copernicus Programme. We also contribute to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. 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 also one of the entities entrusted to implement the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative of the European Commission, alongside with ESA and EUMETSAT as partners. DestinE aims to deploy several highly accurate thematic digital replicas of the Earth, called Digital Twins. The Digital Twins will help monitor and predict environmental change and human impact, in order to develop and test scenarios that would support sustainable development and corresponding European policies for the Green Deal.
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.
For details see .
Main duties and responsibilities
- Contribute to multi-channel communications concepts and plans for ECMWF’s core objectives (and programmes), supporting the communications function with researching and drafting content for internal and external audiences through print, social media, internal communication, science writing and media relations
- Support events activity on location in Bonn and for events hosted in Reading, Bologna or other locations. This may include pre-event administration and planning including (German) supplier liaison, hands-on event operations, logistics and reporting for in-person, virtual and hybrid formats for ECMWF’s events calendar. Such events may be targeting internal and external audiences, including VIP visits.
- Play a key role in the communications function from the Bonn office and provide administrative support to the Communication Section, which may include, for example, monitoring budget, purchase requisitions, order processing and tracking, managing subscriptions, and general support to the team.
- Work and collaborate with ECMWF colleagues, external partners and international audiences.
What we are looking for
- Analytical and problem-solving skills, working methodically and proactively
- Ability to work independently and calmly under pressure in a time-critical situation; working reliably and responsibly, with flexibility to adapt to changing requirements
- Very good written and oral communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail to align and create communications that are consistent with ECMWF policies and practice
- Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with other members of the team, wider ECMWF organisation and partners/suppliers to jointly identify the best way to proceed
- Appreciate and seek opportunities to work with subject matter experts from other fields to understand users’ needs, consider complex technical circumstances, and translate the findings into deliverable requirements
Education
- A university degree (EQ6 level or above) is required, preferably in Communications or Marketing-related discipline.
Experience
- Experience of working in a communications function in a scientific organisation, international organisation or similar setting
- The ideal candidate will have a background in communications and demonstrate interest and experience in communicating science. They will preferably have worked as part of a communications team or in a communications function
- Experience working in a German organisation desirable
Knowledge and skills
- Interest in science and technology with the ability to understand, interpret and convey information for broad scientific and non-specialist audiences using the full communications mix
- Broad generalist communications knowledge and skills for multi-channels, eg print, digital and events
- Excellent administrative, organisational and planning skills, with the ability to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders for a wide range of activities, from administration to events and internal communications support
- Knowledge and understanding of current trends in all communications channels, particularly digital media/social media, and emerging channels
- Self-starter with excellent time management and prioritisation skills, along with attention to detail
- The post-holder must be fluent in spoken and written German and English. Interviews will be conducted in English
Other information
Grade remuneration
The successful candidates will be recruited at the B5 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations and the annual basic salary will be EUR 73.718 NET OF TAX (ECMWF salaries are exempt of national income tax). ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-C 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: From 01 February 2024
Length of contract: Four years with the possibility of extensions
Location: This position will be located at ECMWF's duty station in Bonn, Germany.
As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking.
Interviews by videoconference (Via Teams) are expected to take place week in October 2023.
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.
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.