Application Guide
How to Apply for Programme Manager, Asia Programme
at European Climate Foundation
🏢 About European Climate Foundation
The Pooled Fund on International Energy (PIE) is a unique international grant-making platform that focuses specifically on accelerating the just transition in power and steel sectors globally. Unlike traditional NGOs, PIE operates as a strategic funding intermediary, working directly with foundations to support research institutions, think tanks, and civil society organizations. This role offers the opportunity to influence climate policy at the intersection of philanthropy, government, and industry across Asia.
About This Role
As Programme Manager for Asia Programme, you'll lead strategic development and implementation of energy transition initiatives across emerging Asian economies, with particular focus on China's regional influence. This contract role involves building PIE's network across government, corporate, and civil society sectors while securing funding and organizing high-impact convenings. Your work will directly shape how climate finance flows to accelerate clean electrification across Asia's developing economies.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might begin with a strategy call with the Asia Programme director about engaging new industrial partners in Vietnam's steel sector transition, followed by reviewing grant proposals from Asian think tanks. In the afternoon, you could be facilitating a virtual convening between Chinese climate diplomats and Southeast Asian government energy officials, then drafting a funding proposal for a regional regranter interested in clean electrification initiatives.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who European Climate Foundation Is Looking For
- Has 10+ years of hands-on experience leading energy transition projects specifically in Asia, with demonstrated success in managing cross-sectoral initiatives involving government, industry, and civil society
- Possesses deep strategic understanding of how international climate politics, trade dynamics, and industrial policy intersect in the Asian context, particularly regarding China's regional influence
- Has established networks within Asian government energy agencies, industrial players in power/steel sectors, and climate-focused think tanks that can be leveraged immediately
- Demonstrates proven ability to secure funding from Asian-based regranters and foundations, with experience designing collaborative programmes that attract strategic investment
📝 Tips for Applying to European Climate Foundation
Quantify your Asia-specific energy transition experience: Instead of saying 'worked on Asian projects,' specify 'managed 3 energy transition initiatives across Southeast Asia involving $X million in funding and Y government partners'
Highlight your China expertise: Given the job description's specific mention of 'interaction with regional actors including China,' demonstrate your understanding of China's role in Asia's energy transition and any relevant engagement experience
Show network-building results: Provide concrete examples of how you've expanded organizational networks in Asia, including specific government agencies, corporate players, or think tanks you've successfully engaged
Demonstrate grant-making familiarity: Since PIE is a grant-making platform, emphasize any experience with philanthropic funding mechanisms, regranting structures, or foundation collaboration
Tailor your language to PIE's focus: Use terms like 'just transition,' 'clean electrification,' and 'power and steel sectors' throughout your application to show you understand their specific niche
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with energy transition projects in emerging Asian economies, highlighting measurable outcomes and regional partnerships', "How your existing network in Asia (government, industry, civil society) aligns with PIE's need to expand strategic partnerships across the region", "Your understanding of PIE's unique position as a grant-making intermediary and how you would leverage this model to advance Asia's clean energy transition", 'Examples of successful fundraising or programme collaboration with Asian-based funders or regranters']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study PIE's existing Asia grantees and programmes to understand their current strategic focus and identify potential gaps or opportunities
- → Research the specific challenges facing Asia's power and steel sectors in transition, particularly in emerging economies mentioned in the job description
- → Investigate the landscape of Asian climate philanthropy: which foundations are active in energy transition funding and what are their priorities?
- → Review PIE's partnership model with European Climate Foundation and other regional climate foundations to understand their collaborative approach
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic climate experience rather than Asia-specific energy transition expertise (the role requires deep regional knowledge)
- Focusing only on technical energy solutions without demonstrating understanding of political, diplomatic, and economic dimensions mentioned in requirements
- Presenting as primarily a project implementer rather than a strategic network-builder and funder cultivator (PIE is a grant-making platform, not direct implementer)
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to European Climate Foundation!