Lead BirdLife’s advocacy on marine and fisheries policy in Brussels Follow legislative and policy developments and implementation in the fields of marine and fisheries and ensure it is in line with biodiversity conservation objectives, in particular marine aspects of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and European Green deal. Develop BirdLife’s policy and advocacy strategy in relation to the future of EU fisheries (i.e., low-impact, climate-smart and resilient fisheries). Contribute and support BirdLife Partners, in close relation with other colleagues, in the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy related to the marine environment (i.e., designation and management of MPAs, marine restoration). Develop Birdlife’s policy and advocacy strategy in relation to the development of Nature Positive Offshore Renewables Energy, including through active participation in the OCEaN coalition. Drive developments in the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and support policy leads from the BirdLife network in these areas. Contribute to the development of policy strategy on the issue of seabird bycatch to improve implementation and enforcement of EU legislation on this topic, in particular by monitoring the implementation of the EU seabird action plan on reducing incidental catches of seabirds in fishing gears and the EU Action Plan on Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries.
Application deadline: Sunday, 16 April 2023 by midnight CET
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Full time:
Contract: 1-year fixed term
Salary: €44,000-€48,000 (depending on the experience)
BirdLife Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is looking for a dynamic, passionate and committed Policy Manager.
BirdLife ECA is a Partnership of 48 national conservation organisations and a leader in bird conservation. Our unique local-to-global approach enables us to deliver high-impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.
BirdLife ECA is one of the six regional Secretariats that compose BirdLife International, the global authority on the status of bird species. Based in Brussels, it supports the European and Central Asian Partnership and is present in 47 countries including all EU Member States.
With more than 4,100 staff in Europe, 2 million members and tens of thousands of skilled volunteers, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, together with its national Partners, owns or manages more than 6,000 nature sites totalling 320 000 hectares.
OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Marine Policy Officer, as part of BirdLife Europe’s policy team and BirdLife International’s Marine Programme, will help ensure that marine policies are designed and implemented in a way that promotes biodiversity conservation.
Working in tight collaboration with the European Marine Manager, he/she will support and coordinate BirdLife Partnership’s work on these policy areas and represent and promote BirdLife’s views to the EU institutions, multilateral agreements, NGOs, businesses, and other stakeholders and help design and deliver successful campaigns aiming to achieve the policy priorities of the BirdLife Europe’s marine strategy.
WORK RELATIONSHIPS
REPORTING TO (LINE MANAGER): Policy Manager
REPORTING TO JOB HOLDER (LINE MANAGED STAFF): None
MAIN DUTIES/WORK PROGRAMME RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead BirdLife’s advocacy on marine and fisheries policy in Brussels
- Follow legislative and policy developments and implementation in the fields of marine and fisheries and ensure it is in line with biodiversity conservation objectives, in particular marine aspects of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and European Green deal.
- Develop BirdLife’s policy and advocacy strategy in relation to the future of EU fisheries (i.e., low-impact, climate-smart and resilient fisheries).
- Contribute and support BirdLife Partners, in close relation with other colleagues, in the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy related to the marine environment (i.e., designation and management of MPAs, marine restoration).
- Develop Birdlife’s policy and advocacy strategy in relation to the development of Nature Positive Offshore Renewables Energy, including through active participation in the OCEaN coalition.
- Drive developments in the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and support policy leads from the BirdLife network in these areas.
- Contribute to the development of policy strategy on the issue of seabird bycatch to improve implementation and enforcement of EU legislation on this topic, in particular by monitoring the implementation of the EU seabird action plan on reducing incidental catches of seabirds in fishing gears and the EU Action Plan on Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries.
- Represent BirdLife with decision-makers and lead the development of position papers, strategies, and briefings for the Partners (particularly for the Marine Task Force).
- Develop constructive working relationships with key influential bodies, especially the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as relevant NGOs and stakeholders, relevant to marine and fisheries to build support for BirdLife priorities, positions and programmes individually and collectively.
- Lead the formulation of policy positions on marine and fisheries topics and represent and promote these positions to the EU Institutions, including leading the design and delivery of campaigns aimed at achieving BirdLife’s policy goals.
- Represent BirdLife Europe at relevant technical EU committees and working groups, as well as in other relevant regional and international fora.
- As part of the EU Policy team cooperate on policy development related to the work areas of BirdLife Europe and ensure close coordination with the European Marine Manager and BirdLife ECA Marine Task Force.
- Provide policy leadership to BirdLife Partners to successfully implement the BirdLife European Marine Strategy.
- Lead on policy-focused funding applications, in collaboration with BirdLife Europe fundraisers and BirdLife Partners. Support the BirdLife Europe fundraisers to reach out to and maintain/build relationships with marine donors. Contribute to reporting to donors as necessary.
- Contribute to relevant publications of BirdLife Europe.
- Represent the BirdLife Partnership at external meetings and conferences as necessary.
- Contribute as appropriate to the general work of BirdLife Europe and the BirdLife Partnership.
- Respond to inquiries as necessary from within and outside the BirdLife Partnership.
EDUCATION/SKILLS AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
REQUIREMENTS: KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES
- Minimum General Education: University MSc degree or equivalent (possibility for work experience in lieu of)
- Job Specific Knowledge (desired): Policy and Advocacy, conservation biology, EU politics and institutions, NGO networks:
- Sound knowledge about birds (mainly seabirds) and biodiversity conservation (in particular related to the marine environment).
- Good knowledge and experience in working on marine policies (Birds and Habitats Directives, Maritime Spatial Planning, Marine Strategy Framework Directive), and in particular fisheries policies (Common Fisheries Policy, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund).
- Good understanding of the working of the EU institutions and demonstrable experience of engaging with the EU institutions to achieve policy objectives.
- Experience in drafting policy positions and translating complex technical text into an accessible format for non-experts.
- High standard of computer literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook and the Internet)
- Fluent in English. Additional languages are an asset
- Analytical Skills: Ability to make sense from complexity and communicate with clarity
- Creativity & Initiative: Self-motivated worker able to work on their own or in teams
- Computer Literacy: Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows
- Travel requirements: Occasional nights away from home, ready to travel by train (including night trains and long journeys). We have a low-flying policy hence the need for train travels of up to 9 hours.
OTHER DESIRED/HELPFUL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES
- Genuine enthusiasm for BirdLife’s mission to mobilise lasting, sustainable protection for the world’s birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity in general.
- Understanding of culture, the experience of or desire to work for a non-governmental organisation.
WHAT WE OFFER
Expected annual gross salary: €44,000-€48,000 (depending on the experience)
Duration: 1-year Belgian contract (renewable)
Working hours: full-time
Working arrangements: hybrid. The position is based in Brussels and presence in the office is expected for two days a week at least.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a full CV and a comprehensive cover letter (all in English) setting out your reasons for applying for the post and outlining the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills that you feel you can bring to the role to: recruitment.europe@birdlife.org
Please include in the email subject: Marine Policy Officer.
Closing date: 16th April 2023 at midnight CET. Please consider that applications received after the closing date will be automatically discarded.
Date of the interviews: 21st April 2023, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
BirdLife values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Find out more about our Diversity statement. We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity. We will consider putting into place appropriate reasonable adjustments for candidates who may have a disability.
