The role

We are looking for an experienced and talented professional with a passion for great communication and a specific interest and expertise in scientific fields. The Content and Science Writer/Editor will have a pivotal role to play in our communication and engagement activities with our diverse audiences, producing high-quality content, including on scientific issues, for internal and external publication channels. The post-holder will be expected to have a scientific background, be able to understand the core of our activities, and be a talented writer able to make science accessible without dumbing it down.

Working closely with the rest of the Communication team, the post-holder will ensure the team is supporting the organisation with a sharp, integrated, innovative communications focus and maximising the impact of its work.

The team

The Communications Section, part of the Office of the Director General, has an important role to play in helping the Centre to achieve its strategic objectives. Its remit covers both internal and external communications.

The Section leads on news and media, running effective events, stakeholder engagement, publishing, communicating with ECMWF’s own diverse workforce, and on all aspects of digital communication.

 

Role responsibilities

• Working closely with the Senior Communications Manager to lead and develop the editorial strategy to ensure clear, engaging and scientifically accurate content. This includes the creation of, as well as the commissioning of, editorial content with the ability to translate complex information into accessible and compelling narratives where appropriate;
• Managing editorial and production processes from topic development to approval and publication of news and feature content for ECMWF’s digital and print pipelines, including, for example, the flagship ECMWF Newsletter, external web pages, blogs, fact sheets, the Intranet, corporate publications, internal news, social media, media, and other material;
• Summarising complex scientific research or interpreting information into accessible web and print content which is suited to the target audience it serves (ranging from scientific, media to non-specialist), and collaborating with relevant staff members to draft content for their projects;
• Working with staff to obtain information for this and updating these on a regular basis to meet high editorial standards and compliance with ECMWF branding and editorial guidelines;
• Liaising and collaborating with colleagues and suppliers to deliver content, eg designers, scientists, technical experts, contributors, external partners, and publishing platform specialists;
• Stay updated on trends in meteorology, climate science, technology and science communication to enhance editorial outputs and continuous professional development.

What we are looking for

Essential

• Ability to understand the essence of complex scientific research
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to inspire and communicate science to both scientific and non- scientific audiences
• Ability to write clearly and concisely in plain English
• Editorial experience and copy editing skills
• High level of literacy and rigorous attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills
• Familiarity with science communication through the web, social media and print
• Experience of science communication to a non- specialist audience and public outreach
• Experience of HTML, CMS and other software platforms
• Ability to commission, manage and work cooperatively and to a common goal with partners, suppliers, agencies

Desirable

• Knowledge of the international research environment and its stakeholders
• Understanding and experience of developing material for the media

Education

• A university degree (EFQ Level 5 or above) is required in either a Science related to ECMWF’s fields of work, with experience of working in a communications environment, or a Communications/Science Communication/Journalism Degree with experience in working for a scientific organisation. A Masters degree in a related area or experience of working in meteorology would be desirable.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• Considerable editorial experience and copy-editing skills
• Experience of science, weather, climate, technology communication to non-specialist audience and public outreach
• Understanding and experience of developing material for the media
• Knowledge of the international research environment and its stakeholders
• Adaptable and able to work under pressure
• Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to build strong relationships in a multisite environment
• Mother-tongue-equivalent command of English with excellent writing skills for a broad range of audiences
• The working languages of ECMWF are English, French and German. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and have a good knowledge of one of the other working languages.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you meet precisely all these criteria.