Chief Representative - Germany

Position: Chief Representative - Germany

Based: Berlin- Kreuzberg, Germany

Contract: Full-time, permanent. At least three days per week based in our Berlin office

Salary range: €55,000 to €60,000 per annum depending on experience

About EJF:

EJF exists to protect the natural world and defend our fundamental human right to a secure environment. We believe in equity and justice and a need to respect, defend, and empower communities most at risk from habitat loss, biodiversity collapse and global heating. We campaign for environmental justice.

EJF drives policy and changes to the very ‘architecture’ of environmental governance, securing permanent solutions through our determined, efficient, and effective approach to the protection of the natural world. Our campaigns focus on five priority, interlinked areas: ocean, climate, wetlands and forests, sustainable fashion, and environmental defenders.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced person to join Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF): one of the world's leading non-profit organisations, working at the intersection of environmental conservation and human rights.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Chief Representative (Germany) with a laser focus on direct policy advocacy to join our mission-driven environmental organisation. Based exclusively in Berlin, you will lead our interface with key German institutions, delivering precise, strategic advocacy that advances our existing environmental campaigns. This is a critical role, with a strong emphasis on accountability, structure, and delivery.

You will quickly develop and then oversee the delivery of a detailed, time-bound advocacy plan—with clear targets, priority actions, and outcomes—for EJF’s diverse range of campaign issues, including combating illegal fishing, protecting wetlands, opposing deep- sea mining, and advancing ambitious climate policy. This will be done closely with global campaign leads and aligned with EJF’s annual and five-year strategic goals.

This is a senior role, reporting directly to the CEO, with a significant emphasis on delivery, accountability, and strategic planning. You will also support fundraising efforts for our existing Germany programme and ensure the streamlined and smooth functioning of the

German office and team, acting as a point person for governance matters. We are looking for a dedicated team player and self-starter with excellent political advocacy, project management, and communications skills who can handle a varied role and has a range of experience in policy advocacy. You will have a thorough knowledge of German decision-making, preferably concerning environmental, human rights, or ocean issues.

EJF is lean, agile, creative, strategic and results-driven. Join our world-leading professional team to help protect people, wildlife, and our shared natural world.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of EJF’s German advocacy strategy in alignment with our global campaign priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with high-level decision-makers in government, parliament, civil society, and industry.
• Monitor political developments and provide timely strategic insights to inform advocacy priorities.
• Ensure EJF’s policy engagement in Germany is highly impactful, informed, and coordinated across international teams.
• Work closely with EJF’s communications team on the production of German- language content.
• Represent EJF publicly through media interviews, presentations, and meetings, adapting messaging for diverse audiences.
• Line manage advocacy staff within the German programme.
• Support fundraising efforts in collaboration with EJF’s Senior Management Team.
• Ensure the organisation’s German legal entity meets all compliance requirements, with support from EJF’s operations team and external service providers.
• Provide weekly reporting on advocacy engagement, outreach, and follow-up.

Essential skills and attributes:

• It is essential that you are based in commuting distance from EJF’s Berlin-Kreuzberg office where you will spend a minimum of three days per week.
• Fully remote or non-Berlin applicants cannot be considered.
• You will have extensive, demonstrable experience in leading and delivering high-quality, high-impact campaigns, with clear examples of having a strategic impact on policy change and the experience of using research, lobbying, public campaigning, media and digital work to influence a political agenda. In addition, you will have:
• Fluency in German & English (written and spoken; native or near-native proficiency).
• Demonstrable professional experience delivering measurable, high-impact outputs and positive outcomes for environmental or human rights campaigns or other relevant disciplines.
• High-calibre communication skills, proven ability to write to a high standard under tight deadlines and deliver compelling presentations.
• Educated to degree level or higher.
• Defined and dynamic leadership skills, including mentoring and motivating colleagues while remaining adaptable to changing needs and opportunities.
• Ability to deliver to the highest professional standards on agreed outcomes, on time and within budget; manage multiple projects and tight deadlines, and prioritise workload based on direction and campaign needs.
• Comfortable giving and receiving direction and feedback; able to work independently and as part of an international, multicultural team, taking initiative and responsibility.
• Strong political awareness and a clear understanding of achieving political change, with proven experience engaging and influencing decision-makers.
• Political judgement and a sound understanding of the German political environment domestically and its relationship to EU institutions and global issues.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, with proven experience in leading strategy development, including monitoring and evaluation.
• Understanding of budgets and the importance of using resources efficiently and effectively, creating results-driven actions, and conducting detailed impact evaluations.
• A clear, and demonstrable commitment to EJF’s mission and goals.

Desirable skills:

• Expertise in environmental and/or human rights issues.
• Experience in fundraising, generating, and managing grants and other donations from several sources.
• Experience in organisational and governance oversight.

We offer:

• Annual leave that increases every year.
• Working with a committed and collegial team in a modern office in Berlin-Kreuzberg with excellent public transport connections.
• 'Cycle to work’ programme.
• A highly motivated and open-minded team of committed colleagues and the opportunity to develop and implement compelling propositions to deliver campaign and organisational goals.
• The position offers excellent professional growth and personal development opportunities in close collaboration with our diverse global team.
• This hands-on role is ideal for someone who thrives on detail, delivery, and diplomacy and who understands the strategic importance of advancing existing policy agendas with skill, urgency, and precision.

To apply, please submit a CV and a 1-page cover letter addressing your relevant advocacy experience while confirming your ability to be based in Berlin to: louis@hire-purpose.uk

Closing date for applications: 5 pm Wednesday 16th July 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates must have the legal right to work in Germany.

EJF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We heavily encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds in the environmental sector to apply.

If you feel you would be a good fit for this role but are unsure if you meet every requirement, we still encourage you to express an interest in this opportunity.