ESA European Seed Association is recruiting a MANAGER, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
who is available to work full time at the ESA General Secretariat’s office in Brussels, Belgium.

Job Description

The Manager Public Affairs works as part of the ESA Policy Team and with ESA’s members under the guidance of the Secretary General and will mainly focus on the preparation and implementation of the association’s overall outreach, advocacy and lobbying related activities towards EU decision makers.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Contribute public affairs, campaigning and EU policy expertise to strategic and annual planning
• Identify key public affairs priorities together with policy staff
• Lead responsibility for development of public affairs and legislative campaign plans and tools
• Manage implementation of ESA’s overarching and specific lobbying activities in the areas of seed marketing, genetic resources and biodiversity, plant health, breeders’ rights, GMOs, R&D, etc.
• Liaise closely with colleagues in national seed associations and company offices
• Liaise with and contribute to the development of the European Technology Platform ‘Plants for the Future’
• Maintain awareness of ESA key policy areas and issues
• Develop and maximise useful links with key opinion formers and relevant decision-makers
• Meet politicians and advisers to inform them on ESA priority issues
• Attend external meetings and conferences, represent ESA and advocate its positions
• Collaborate with ESA Manager Communications to ensure optimum communications effectiveness towards Members and third parties
• Organisation, management, follow-up and support of relevant internal meetings, including documentation, minutes and action lists

Education and experience

• Relevant degree
• Experience of working with European and/or national politicians, civil servants (Commission) and political parties and/or experience in working in public affairs (in house or consulting)
• Work experience with or in the European Parliament specifically welcomed
• Work experience with the EU agri-food sector and related policy issues (food security and safety, environmental policy, international agricultural trade, biodiversity etc.) highly welcomed

Key competencies

• A very strong interest in EU policymaking
• Solid understanding of the EU’s structures and decision making processes, specifically in relation to the European Parliament
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in EN (native level); good French; other languages an asset
• Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage a heavy workload while maintaining high quality
• Good knowledge of current agricultural and environmental issues
• Awareness of wider political context
• An understanding of corporate disciplines including confidentiality, mutual briefing, and acting within limits of authority
• Advanced IT skills including handling of databases.

Applications

Interested candidates should send their CV, highlighting the relevant experience to the job description, to secretariat@euroseeds.org and mark it with “ESA MPA”

Application deadline: 11 April 2014

Expected start date: asap