Policy Officer

Location: Brussels, Belgium – hybrid working 2 days per week in the office. Fully remote working from other EU countries to be considered.

Job Type:  Two full time positions for one year, possibility of extension subject to funding.

Help transform billions of lives. Including yours.

Compassion in World Farming is an international public interest organisation dedicated to ending factory farming and radically changing our food systems to reduce reliance on animal protein, before it’s too late. With offices throughout Europe, in the USA and China, our supporters and partners throughout the world help us deliver on our goals. 

In Brussels, we campaign to strengthen EU laws protecting farmed animals – including an end to the use of cruel caged systems, new fish welfare standards, and an end to cruelty when transporting live animals, among others. We also call on the EU to adopt laws and policies to reduce the production of animal products and encourage greater use of plant-based foods, which would also help us lead healthier and more environmentally friendly lives. Our advocacy work targets the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and other key players in Brussels.

We are recruiting for two Policy Officers to join our EU Office Team based in Brussels, Belgium. Fully remote working will be considered.

About the role

The Policy Officers will contribute to the work of the EU Office team by delivering advocacy work within a portfolio of issues set by the Head of CIWF EU. They will support the profile of CIWF’s work in Brussels. Under guidance, they will reach out to policymakers, prepare outreach materials targeting the EU institutions and other relevant stakeholders, work with the team to organise events and network with external stakeholders. They will support the EU office by undertaking administrative, operational and office management tasks.

About you

This post requires a professional with a personal interest in animal welfare and environmental issues. Candidates should have over five years of experience working in policy advocating for change with governments or intergovernmental organisations. Experience in working with EU institutions or officials will be considered an asset. Candidates should have experience lobbying policymakers, creating policy materials, organising meetings, events and webinars, working with internationally based teams and be fluent in English (proficiency in other European languages is desirable).

Furthermore, candidates should have excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills and be able to work as part of a team as well as on own initiative. Knowledge or interest in farm animal welfare, food and farming issues is required. Campaigning strategies and knowledge of the political process at EU-level will be considered an asset.

We have a close-knit team working well together and we expect that the new roles will be filled by professionals who will fit in well.

Our commitment to diversity

Compassion in World Farming is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. We value diversity, professional experience and acknowledge the underrepresentation of people from certain backgrounds, both within our organisation and across the sector. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, whether these be of ethnicity, gender, identity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, or other.

Applications

All applicants should send their CV and a cover letter in English to Aleksandra.Terzieva@ciwf.org with the reference “Policy Officer”.

The closing date for applications is 22 September 2023.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. We anticipate a high number of applications, therefore, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The full job description is available here.