Application Guide

How to Apply for Industry Transition Programme Manager, PIE

at European Climate Foundation

🏢 About European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation hosts PIE, a unique pooled-fund platform that coordinates international grant-making specifically for energy and industrial transitions, with a sharp focus on iron and steel decarbonization. Working here means joining a small, dedicated team driven by values like bold action with urgency and evidence-based decision-making, while collaborating with diverse global partners to create real-world climate impact.

About This Role

As the Industry Transition Programme Manager at PIE, you'll manage grant-making and strategy development to accelerate just transitions in power and industry sectors globally, with particular emphasis on iron and steel. This part-time remote role involves coordinating with foundations, research institutions, and civil society organizations to overcome barriers to clean energy transitions, making it impactful by directly shaping international climate policy implementation.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing grant proposals for industrial transition projects, coordinating with international partners across time zones to advance iron and steel decarbonization strategies, and developing evidence-based recommendations for funding decisions. You'll likely participate in virtual meetings with foundation partners and regional climate organizations while managing program documentation and impact tracking for PIE's initiatives.

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🎯 Who European Climate Foundation Is Looking For

  • Experience in international grant-making or program management within climate, energy, or industrial transition sectors
  • Deep knowledge of iron and steel decarbonization challenges and solutions
  • Proven ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including foundations, think tanks, and civil society organizations
  • Strong strategic thinking with evidence-based decision-making approach and urgency-driven mindset

📝 Tips for Applying to European Climate Foundation

1

Explicitly mention your experience with pooled-fund mechanisms or collaborative grant-making platforms

2

Highlight specific knowledge of iron and steel sector transitions - don't just say 'industrial decarbonization'

3

Demonstrate understanding of PIE's unique position as a hosted platform within ECF rather than a standalone organization

4

Reference PIE's core values (Empowering and Caring Team, Bold Action with Urgency, etc.) and how you embody them

5

Show experience working with international partners across different regions, not just European contexts

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with grant-making for industrial transitions, particularly in iron and steel', 'Examples of collaborating with diverse stakeholders (foundations, research institutions, civil society) to achieve climate impact', "How you've demonstrated PIE's core values in previous roles, especially 'Bold Action with Urgency'", "Understanding of PIE's unique model as a pooled-fund platform and how you would contribute to its mission"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → PIE's specific past projects and grantees (www.pieclimate.org)
  • → Current challenges and opportunities in global iron and steel decarbonization
  • → The relationship between PIE and its host organization, European Climate Foundation
  • → Key regions and countries where PIE focuses its industrial transition work

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience managing international grant programs for industrial decarbonization
2 How would you approach building partnerships for iron and steel transition in emerging economies?
3 What evidence-based frameworks would you use to evaluate potential PIE grants?
4 How have you balanced urgency with careful decision-making in previous climate work?
5 Describe a time you coordinated multiple stakeholders with competing priorities for a climate initiative
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic climate experience without specific industrial/energy transition focus
  • Focusing only on European contexts when PIE works globally
  • Not understanding the difference between PIE's pooled-fund model and traditional grant-making
  • Failing to address how you'd work remotely while coordinating international partnerships

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to European Climate Foundation!

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