With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.

EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.  

Overall Function:

The Government Partnerships Officer, Europe will be an integral part of a small team focused on the strategic development and management of relationships with government development/donor agencies, with a focus on international programmes.  Guided by the Senior Director, Government Partnerships, this person will coordinate closely with EDF Europe, collaborate with senior staff in Europe and across the organisation to successfully cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of government partners that increasingly provides significant support for EDF to carry out its worldwide mission. 

This position is part of the growing Government Partnerships team within EDF’s Development Department. This position will be located in Europe (e.g. Berlin, Brussels, or the Netherlands) and will report to the Senior Director, Government Partnerships with a dotted line to the Senior Government Grants Officer.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Serve as a key self-starter and an integral contributing partner to a team that builds long-term intuitional and financial support for EDF’s global priorities from government partners and secures and manages 6-8 figure grants from new and existing government sources. This entails a range of strategic activities, including but not limited to:
  • Contributing to our comprehensive plan to build out EDF’s government partnership strategy to raise the profile of EDF, its senior staff and its expertise
  • Managing a portfolio of European government funders and serving as a liaison and informational contact between EDF and granting agency staff
  • Preparing the Senior Director Government Partnerships and EDF senior staff to be strong representatives with government development partners and participating in meetings as appropriate
  • Writing and producing relevant materials needed to engage government partners, including proposals, briefings, reports and other communications
  • Identifying, researching and evaluating sources of public funding, including funding opportunity announcements from the European Commission and other sources as assigned, and providing strategic guidance to programs on alignment/fit, eligibility, and competitiveness
  • Working with the Senior Government Grants Officer and program staff to conceptualize, prepare, and submit responsive and competitive proposals, reports, and other communications materials
  • Creating social media content, in coordination with EDF Europe and EDF Marketing and Communications teams, to engage European government partners
  • Contributing to accurate donor and income/projections information in Salesforce database.
• Develop and maintain strong knowledge of EDF’s global program work to independently and effectively represent, through both written and oral communications, a wide array of regional, national, and global environmental programmes.
• Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain tact, diplomacy and confidentiality while representing the organisation and interfacing with all levels of staff, funders, and partners
• Support the Senior Director and Government Partnerships team to provide extensive internal communication with the Development Department, program, finance, and administration staff, and at times the Executive team.
• Actively contribute to the Government and Development teams as they seek to improve best practices and procedures and develop new cultivation strategies and tools.
• Participates in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organisational challenges in alignment with EDF values

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• An applicable level of relevant demonstrated success in non-profit fundraising, including securing and managing gifts from European government agencies such as the European Commission; German Federal Ministries for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV); Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad); Blue Action Fund; and UN agencies.
• Deep knowledge of priorities, trends, and donor requirements in the European government funding arena.
• Knowledge of environmental issues strongly preferred; ability to quickly grasp and translate complicated subject matter required.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills and associated strategic and analytic skills. Native [German/European] language skills a plus.
• Strong computer literacy, including Word, Excel and donor management databases.
• High degree of proficiency working in a fast-paced, flexible, goal-oriented and entrepreneurial environment, with the highest level of personal and professional integrity.
• Excellent planning and project management skills. Experience working in a non-profit institution of comparable complexity and scale, including the ability to work effectively with geographically dispersed colleagues, is preferred.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills; experience working with a team to successfully manage multiple projects with competing timelines.
• Experience critically reviewing budgets and financial information.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, Environmental Defense Fund’s mission and values.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds
• You must have the right to live and work in the EU when applying.