EVU Vacancy

Job Description

JOB TITLE	EU Policy Manager, EVU
REPORTING TO	Directly : EVU President (Felix Hnat), and indirectly : Board member Jasmijn de Boo
KEY RELATIONSHIPS	Internal : EVU member organisations, EVU leadership External : decision-makers, other NGOs, EAPF, food industry representatives
LOCATION	Ideally Brussels (or remote, ideally within easy travel distance from Brussels)
HOURS	Full-time ; part-time options will be considered
SALARY	Dependent on experience

About EVU

Are you passionate about food system transformation ? Are you interested in plant-based solutions in this transformation ? Then join us at the European Vegetarian Union (EVU)!

We are a small, but dedicated team advocating for plant-based foods as a vital part of the transition towards more sustainable and healthy food systems in the EU, giving a voice to the growing number of Europeans choosing more plant-based products over animal-based nutrition.

Together with our policy manager and our 43 member organisations in 28 countries you will be able to exert a wide range of tasks to push the plant-based movement forward in Brussels : from classic political advocacy and lobbying to PR and media engagement to legal work. If you have experience in one or more of these, this is your opportunity to join us and use your expertise to make the EU more sustainable.

EVU is the umbrella organisation of vegan and vegetarian associations and societies throughout Europe. We are active in European policy networks of NGOs, food industry, other umbrella organisations such as EAPF, and campaigns advocating to increase the production and consumption of plant-based foods and other alternatives to animal products. This is done through improving the level playing field for plant-based and alternative foods, increasing policy incentives for these sectors, improving consumer information related to plant-based and alternative proteins, supporting sustainability initiatives, as well as removing barriers that impede the availability and affordability of plant-based and alternative products to animal foods.

About the role

The EU Policy Manager will be responsible for building on and expanding the policy and public affairs environment to ensure that the strategic and operational plans support EVU’s objectives.

The EU Policy manager will develop and promote policies and outreach plans that enable the growth of the plant-based and cultured food industry and reduce animal consumption, and influence relevant agriculture, consumer, environmental and health agendas primarily at EU level. The position works with plant-based alliances, such as EAPF, and other relevant partners, to :

Lead public-facing policy actions to promote food system change and enhance the position of plant-based foods and other alternatives to animal products.
Develop policy briefs and recommendations, provide evidence to guide policymakers’ decisions and arrange meetings with relevant stakeholders.
Advocate for the strongest (regulatory) environment possible for plant-based and cultured food research and development.
Ensure sustainable food production and consumption feature prominently in public health and environmental policy.
Collaborate with and support EVU members’ advocacy efforts at EU and national level.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and planning

Develop and implement the EVU strategic direction and operational advocacy aims
Oversee EU policy developments and research, review European institutions (e.g. Commission, Parliament and Council) priorities, and identify and communicate emerging issues and propose solutions.
Lead the review and development of robust policy positions across a broad range of issues, working with key stakeholders and arrange meetings with relevant stakeholders
Identify policy areas in which EVU can have great impact, and develop strategies, policy briefings and action plans which are aligned to external priorities, and influence and affect positive change.
Keep abreast of political developments and parliamentary activities, changing environmental, health, scientific and other relevant areas. Undertake relevant analysis on threats and opportunities and communicate any developments/insights to the relevant stakeholders, to help inform future strategy development.
Contribute to stakeholder consultations and develop advocacy plans
Review effectiveness of EVU advocacy
Oversee external contracts relating to EVU’s advocacy work, including with service providers such as political consultancies, and partnerships.

Integration, collaboration and alignment

Ensure there is robust coordination between EVU and its members, and EAPF.
Together with members ensure advocacy efforts are effective, and where relevant, engaging through online outreach, media/PR and social media.
Ensure research and scientific developments that have a bearing on policy are considered with relevant colleagues and partners.

External collaboration and representation

Establish and maintain effective collaborative relationships with external stakeholders and identify opportunities and strategies to improve engagement with policy-makers, environmental and other aligned organisations, healthcare officials, corporate leaders, scientific bodies, and grant-making organisations.
Represent EVU within the media, and at internal and external events.
Deliver expert briefings and targeted lobbying campaigns to achieve regulatory and private sector action, and public policy change.
Oversee policy informed responses to consultations and the submission of evidence to enquiries and manage/coordinate those responses.
Lead the coordination of relations with external bodies such as government departments and agencies, relevant private sector organisations and other organisations, including representing EVU on external committees and working groups.
Travel to other parts of Europe if necessary to meet and coordinate with colleagues, members and policy stakeholders.

Management

Ensure that all activity is conducted to the highest standards and in line with the strategic priorities, developing consistent and rigorous methods for measuring success and sharing knowledge/outcomes with the wider team.
Potentially provide strong leadership and support to colleagues, to deliver an effective and efficient service. Promote team building and collaborative working to deliver strategic and operational plans.
Contribute to the annual and quarterly planning and budgeting process.
Continuously develop professional knowledge and expertise, attending relevant meetings and conferences to ensure up to date knowledge is relevant to the role.
Provide progress reports and monitoring updates, and log any challenges and risks that may be encountered.
Undertake any other relevant duties and projects, in line with the responsibilities of the post.

Person specification

Essential criteria :

Degree or relevant experience in Public Relations/International Studies/Politics/Law/ Public Affairs or similar.
Demonstrable experience of developing policy outputs or media work.
Experience of providing high-level strategic advice to senior colleagues and decision-makers on complex policy issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication and diplomacy skills.
In-depth understanding of EU policy institutions, processes and agendas.
Ideally experience in interacting with government officials, policy-makers and agencies and/or media. Experience in interacting with external stakeholder groups to advance policy goals.
Fluent verbal and written English language skills.

Desirable :

Experience in the NGO or food industry sector
Experience in planning and implementing policy campaigns, and/or media/PR experience
Understanding of performance metrics and KPIs to track policy and public engagement progress
Understanding of the current environmental and/or food industry agenda (F2F, Green Deal, SFS, production, consumption, marketing, retail files etc.) in the EU.
Proficiency in an additional language such as French.

Benefits of working with us

Salary : dependent on experience and qualification.
Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home office arrangements. Co-working possibility in Brussels.
And last but not least : become part of a great team and work with us on making the EU more sustainable, animal- and environment-friendly !

The (preliminary) closing date for applications : 12 February 2023

First interviews : 16–17 February. Successful applicants will be invited to complete an (online) task.

Second interviews : 24 February

Please indicate in your cover letter if you are unable to attend within these timeframes.

For further enquiries about this role please contact [email protected].

Who gets my data ?

By applying for this position, you agree that your data will be shared with EVU staff and the EVU board.

How long will my data be stored ?

If an employment contract is concluded between you and EVU, your application documents will be included in the personnel file at EVU’s system and stored for at least the duration of the employment relationship and any subsequent storage obligations.

Please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]. Your letter should detail the following :