Technical Officer for Peatlands

Wetlands International European Association

Hours
36 hours per week

About the Organisation

Established in September 2013, Wetlands International European Association (Wetlands International Europe) is the single network organisation in Europe focused on wetlands. Together with our 13 member organisations, partners, networks of expertise, and citizen scientists, our ambition is to elevate action to safeguard and restore wetlands. Our access to cutting-edge science, combined with our understanding of EU policies, on-the-ground experience from our members, partners, and their networks, and our global network, makes us a credible and effective advocate for improving European policies and practices.

We achieve our results through programmes focused on policy-relevant issues comprising various projects and initiatives. These seek to develop state-of-the-art knowledge, best practices and practical on-the-ground conservation and restoration experience to underpin influential dialogues on policy and investment. We bring policy insights back to our network to help accelerate policy implementation and investment to the benefit of wetlands in Europe and around the world.

About the role

Peatlands are among Europe’s most valuable yet most threatened ecosystems. They store more carbon than all other land-based ecosystems combined, regulate water systems, and support unique biodiversity. Their protection and restoration are central to achieving the EU’s climate and nature restoration goals.

As EU policies such as the Nature Restoration Regulation and the Common Agricultural Policy move into implementation at the national level, there is an increasing need for strong technical capacity to support delivery on the ground. Within this context, the Peatlands programme plays a key role in translating policy into practice by supporting partners, projects, and country-level initiatives.

The Technical Officer contributes to this effort by providing technical expertise on peatland restoration and management, supporting the implementation of projects, and facilitating knowledge exchange across countries and partners. The role also supports the development of sound methodologies, monitoring approaches, and practical guidance to ensure high-quality and impactful interventions.

We are looking for a motivated and solutions-oriented Technical Officer to support the delivery of our Peatlands Programme. In this role, you will contribute to the conservation and restoration of Europe’s peatlands by providing technical expertise, supporting project implementation, and translating knowledge into practical solutions. You will work closely with the Programme Manager, project partners, and Wetlands International’s European and Global teams working on peatlands to ensure the effective delivery of projects and the uptake of results into practice and policy.

A core aspect of the role is to support the implementation of funded projects (Horizon Europe), including contributing to the design, coordination, and execution of activities on the ground. This includes engaging with partners and stakeholders, supporting monitoring and data collection, and ensuring that technical outputs are robust, relevant, and aligned with project objectives. The Technical Officer will play an important role in bridging science, practice, and communication by translating complex technical outputs into clear, accessible messages for different audiences.

The role also contributes to strengthening the organisation’s impact by supporting knowledge exchange, dissemination, and the uptake of results. In projects such as PEAT-GENIE, this includes coordinating Open Lab activities, engaging end-users in participatory processes, and ensuring that tools and methodologies are user-centred and applicable across different contexts.

Working under the guidance of the Programme Manager, the Technical Officer will contribute to positioning Wetlands International Europe as a leading voice on peatland restoration by ensuring high-quality technical delivery and supporting the visibility and credibility of the programme’s work. Preferably based in Brussels, the ideal candidate combines technical knowledge on peatlands or related ecosystems with strong organisational and communication skills, and is comfortable working in a collaborative, international environment.

Responsibilities

Provide Technical Expertise and Analysis:

• Provide scientific and technical input to support the organisation’s programmes, projects, and policy work.
• Analyse technical information, research, and data relevant to the organisation’s priority topics.
• Contribute to the development of evidence-based positions, recommendations, and guidance.

Support Programme and Project Implementation:

• Contribute to the design and implementation of projects and technical activities.
• Support the preparation of project deliverables, reports, and technical outputs.
• Ensure that project activities are aligned with agreed objectives, methodologies, and quality standards.

Contribute to Knowledge Development and Dissemination:

• Produce and review technical documents, briefs, guidance notes, and reports.
• Support the synthesis and translation of scientific knowledge into accessible information for policy, communications, and stakeholders.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing within the organisation and with external partners.

Support Policy and Advocacy Work:

• Provide technical input to support policy analysis and advocacy activities.
• Contribute evidence and technical arguments to support the organisation’s policy positions.
• Monitor relevant scientific and policy developments and inform the team accordingly.

Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders:

• Support collaboration with project partners, experts, and stakeholders.
• Contribute technical expertise to working groups, consultations, and external events.
• Help maintain relationships with relevant scientific and technical networks.

Contribute to Organisational Development:

• Support the identification of new opportunities for projects and initiatives.
• Contribute technical input to project proposals and concept notes.
• Collaborate with colleagues across programmes, policy, communications, and operations.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Required Qualifications, Skills & Competencies:

• Relevant professional experience in environmental conservation, research, project implementation, or technical advisory roles.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret and synthesise scientific and technical information.
• Ability to translate complex technical knowledge into clear and accessible outputs for policy, project, and stakeholder audiences.
• Experience contributing to technical reports, guidance documents, project deliverables, or policy inputs.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent command of English; additional European languages are an asset.
• Prepared to travel internationally;
• Good IT literacy and experience with Microsoft Office

Required Qualifications

• University degree in environmental sciences, ecology, natural resource management, environmental policy, and a related field (Master’s degree preferred)

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive and commensurate with experience

Conditions of employment

• Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU

Working locations

• Brussels office, Belgium (preferable), or office Ede-Wageningen, The Netherlands

How to apply

• Applications should include a cover letter and CV and be sent by email to [email protected] with the subject line: "Technical Officer-Peatlands". Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged.

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