Policy Officer

Good Food Institute Europe

Contract type
Permanent & Full-time
Closing date
06 Oct 2024 11:59 PM
Location
Brussels Belgium

Salary
€3262 - €3612 per month

About the Organisation

Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) is at the forefront of the movement to transform meat production to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, from climate change and global hunger to antibiotic resistance and animal suffering. We work with scientists, businesses, and policymakers to make plant-based and cultivated meat (grown directly from cells) delicious, affordable, and accessible. 

About the role

Policy Officer In role significantly influences how quickly Europe and the world move to a more ethical and sustainable food system. Reporting to a Senior Policy Manager, you will be responsible for driving policy impact in Brussels and beyond on alternative proteins.

This will include, among other things, driving significantly more public investment into research and development for plant-based, fermentation-made, and cultivated proteins; working to deliver a fair, evidence-based regulatory path-to-market for alternative proteins; and ensuring that the labeling of alternative protein products is not unfairly restricted. We anticipate that one of the two roles will focus mainly on mobilizing public R&D funding for alternative proteins, and one will focus mainly on the regulatory path-to-market and labeling rules.

Responsibilities

  • Create Positive policy change to support plant-based, fermentation-made, and cultivated proteins at the EU level, and, where the opportunity arises, at the national level across Europe;
  • Support colleagues to develop and execute lobbying strategies based on thorough research and mapping of decision-makers;
  • Build and Maintain relationships with elected officials and civil servants at the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the EU, and other public institutions – including at the national level across Europe;
  • Work cooperatively with other nonprofit organizations, companies, academics, and other stakeholders, cultivating strong relationships and engaging respectfully with people who are still to be persuaded;
  • Closely monitor and stay abreast of relevant policy and legislative proposals, spotting opportunities and pre-empting threats;
  • Create persuasive letters, factsheets, policy briefs, and other materials;
  • Together with colleagues, work with the media and use social media to help deliver our policy objectives;
  • Represent GFI Europe in meetings with stakeholders and at public events where opportunities arise;
  • Work with GFI’s international affiliates to ensure that our activities in Europe support positive policy change for sustainable proteins internationally;
  • Perform other tasks as required

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Skills, Competencies & Experience:

  • Passion for GFI’s philosophy and mission;
  • Enthusiasm for driving policy change at the EU level;
  • Working experience in policy at the EU, or a national or multilateral level, for example in a government, public institution, political party, NGO, think tank, industry association, public affairs agency, consulting firm, lobbying organisation, or other relevant institution;
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills. The ability to convey information clearly and accurately, tailoring the tone and message to various stakeholders;
  • Excellent networking, interpersonal, influencing, and relationship-building abilities, and the credibility and persuasiveness to represent GFI to officials and politicians;
  • Strong team spirit and open and collaborative instincts;
  • Self-starter with the drive and initiative to take responsibility for delivering impact and an ability to see projects through to completion;
  • Eagerness to learn and to take on new challenges and responsibilities over time;
  • Affinity with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and with maintaining our welcoming and supportive culture;
  • Good level of IT literacy;
  • Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Advantage Attributes:

  • Knowledge of and familiarity with EU policies relevant to food innovation, for example, regulatory approval frameworks, Horizon Europe, and the European Green Deal;
  • Network of relevant contacts in Brussels;
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with alliances, NGOs, think tanks, academics, and industry actors For the role focusing on R&D funding, a natural science background;
  • Ability to speak European languages other than English.

Required Qualifications

  • Undergraduate Degree.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Plus 13th month Benefits Salary 
  • Home-working Allowance 
  • Holiday pay, 
  • Representation Allowance
  • Meal and Eco vouchers,

Conditions of employment

  • You must have the right to work in Brussels Belgium.

Working locations

  • Hybrid model, working in the Brussels office and remotely.

How to apply

  • Send an email to [email protected] with a CV and a cover letter by Sunday 6th October 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Interviews

  • Selected candidates will be contacted. The Interviews will be conducted remotely on Zoom Second half of October 2024.

Policies

  • We want the best people and we know that building a diverse, inclusive workplace leads to stronger, happier, more productive, and more resilient teams. We strongly encourage people of every ethnicity, orientation, age, gender, origin, socio-economic background, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive culture absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team.

Region