Consultancy- European Communications Management and Strategy Development at Clean Air Task Force

Request for Proposals

European Communications Management and Strategy Development for Clean Air Task Force, parental leave cover

1. Background

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) seeks proposals from experienced and qualified communications and public affairs professional with expertise and connections in the Europe to provide high-level strategic communications guidance, public affairs strategy, and day-to-day communications management for Clean Air Task Force’s European advocacy work, with a particular focus on Brussels and the European Union. This project will begin as early as February 15th and continue until June 15th, with the potential to extend depending on length of CATF’s Communications Manager’s parental leave. It will involve strategy development and planning as well as execution on editorial content development, planned and rapid response media relations, campaigns, and project management.

1. Project Details

Deliverables

• Expert communications management to help drive CATF’s key objectives in Europe, with a focus on opportunity spotting, campaign design, and strategically framing and socializing key messages and work products with target policymaker and industry audiences. This includes:
  

• Proactively identifying communications opportunities for CATF’s European team and designing and executing strategies to capitalise on them.

• Ensuring visibility of CATF research and thought leadership on key policy initiatives, such as the Clean Industrial Deal, and raising awareness and engagement with policymakers and stakeholders through the media.

• Effectively communicating complex policy and technical concepts to stakeholders, including policymakers, Brussels-focused media, NGOs, and others.

• Developing communications campaigns, key messaging, and outreach plans for agreed upon narrative change efforts, CATF work products, reports, white papers, op-eds, sign-on letters, and other materials.

• Advising on high-level framing, messaging and narrative building efforts to maximise impact and adapt to target audiences.

• Creating and distributing communications collateral including press releases, media advisories, statements, op-eds, and blogs

• Strategic media relations to build CATF’s profile and socialize its thought leadership

• Support in driving awareness of and engagement around key CATF events in Europe

• Engaged presence on regular European Advocacy virtual meetings, as well as skilled coordination and project management across CATF’s European Advocacy and Communications & Marketing teams.

Skills required

• At least 5 years of proven experience delivering impactful communications and public affairs strategies in Europe

• Writing and editing for media, policymaker, and funder audiences

• Media relations and existing relationships with top tier press in Brussels and beyond in Europe, preferably in the climate and energy policy area

• Expertise and experience in planning public affairs campaigns (media, editorial, digital, and events)

• Project management and coordination

• A high degree of proactivity and collaboration

• English language fluency

• Proofreading and copyediting

Skills desired

• Working skills in other EU languages is a plus

• Understanding of the policymaking processes in the EU and in European countries where CATF is active

Timeline

This project will begin as soon as possible and continue until June 15th, with the potential to extend.

1. Scope of Work

Onboarding and Relationship Building. Meet and take stock of the communications and marketing needs of key CATF European staff and Communications and Marketing staff.

Strategic Development and Planning. Develop a European communications strategy and plan for 2025, synthesizing your own strategic insights with input and priorities from key CATF experts and stakeholders.

Execution and Management. Set out to execute on that plan, while remaining responsive to shifts in European policy, politics, industry. Proactively spot and flag opportunities and remain flexible to seize them.

1. Proposal Requirements

Items to Include

Please include the following details in your proposal:

For firms:

• Description of your relevant services (public affairs and policy communications expertise, media relations expertise and active relationships with top tier energy, policy, and environmental media, writing and editing, digital campaigns, etc.)

• Relevant experience (previous work in the energy, policy, environmental, and climate space AND regional experience in media markets in Brussels and European member states)

• Budget estimate (hourly and/or monthly rate for a retainer)

For individuals:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

Evaluation Criteria

Our team will evaluate on the following criteria:

• Experience and expertise in strategic communications and public affairs, particularly in energy policy

• Regional expertise and media contacts in Brussels and European member states

• Experience providing this kind of tailored, collaborative service to fill gaps from parental leave or other resource constraints

• Cost

To Apply

Submit your proposal in PDF, Word, or Slide format no later than February 17th, 2025.

Our team will review proposals and schedule follow-up conversations with firms of interest.

1. About Clean Air Task Force

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.