Programme Officer - Farm Animals (Slaughter and Transport)

The policy officer has a very good knowledge of farm animal welfare, ensuring the technical and scientific relevance of the farm animals programme. The Officer is responsible for delivering targeted impact for farm animals. In executing parts of the farm animals strategy, you produce top notch technical content, building and delivering advocacy, coordinating relevant Eurogroup for Animals members’ subgroups and liaising with the wider Eurogroup for Animals’ team (including the Public Affairs team and other programmes) and representing Eurogroup for Animals in different forums. 

Objectives/responsibilities of the role: 

The programme officer works in four main areas: Technical content, Political advocacy, Eurogroup for Animals representation at different forums and liaising with the wider Eurogroup for Animals’ team and our member organisations. 

Technical content: The programme officer drafts, coordinates, executes and evaluates technical resources. This may include using focus groups and interviews to relevant stakeholders (e.g. Our member organisations), data extraction from different platforms (e.g. Eurostat), evaluation of existing and new policies (e.g. animal welfare legislation). 

Political advocacy: Together with the wider team and Eurogroup for Animals’ member organisations, the officer creates and delivers advocacy strategies for their dossiers. The officer also provides input/comments into other advocacy tools such as reports from the European Parliament, questions for the Animal Welfare Intergroup and other European Parliament committees/ The programme officer, working closely with the Political affairs team, is also expected to meet with co-legislators and represent Eurogroup for Animals in forums such as experts groups, advisory boards and coalition groups.

Liaison with the wider team and member organisations: The Farm Animals programme officer is responsible for coordinating Eurogroup for Animals subgroups on relevant dossiers, and any ad-hoc expert group that is created in connection with these subjects. They provide technical support to the public affairs team and other programmes. The policy officer is also expected to update any organisational papers that require update/information on their dossiers or on the wider farm animals’ work (e.g. board papers, annual report, grant applications, etc.).

Other responsibilities: Manage long and short term projects, keep internal communication tools updated (e.g. Trello and salesforce)

Position in the organisation: 

The programme officer reports to the Farm Animals programme manager and sits on the farm animals team. They also work closely with the wider Eurogroup for Animals team, specially the Public Affairs team. 

Scope of the Job

The programme officer is expected to be responsible for the planning and delivery of resources as well as lobby strategies. They are also expected to represent Eurogroup for Animals in different forums and to liaise with our member organisations (as well as coordinate them in respective subgroups or ad-hoc groups) and with the wider Eurogroup team in relevant dossiers. Opportunities to manage projects may happen. The policy officer is not expected to manage staff.

Dimensions and limits of responsibility

• Day-to-day implementation of the allocated farmed animals programme workstreams;
• Management of the relevant technical content/input and eurogroup for Animals  subgroups;
• Contribute to the overall delivery of the objectives of the farmed animals programme;

Person specifications

Experience

• Advanced degree (MSc. or PhD) level in vet science, ethology, animal welfare science or other relevant studies to the position, or equivalent experience
• 5 years' work experience
• Proven knowledge of animal welfare, specifically transport and slaughter
• Experience with liaising with a multitude of stakeholders (NGOs, researchers and industry)
• Experience with the EU institutions is a plus

Skills & Abilities

• Proven research and critical analysis skills;
• Proven effective management of partnership projects with external stakeholders;
• Proven written, verbal and presentation and communication skills for diverse audiences in English. Sensitivity to diverse global social and cultural issues. Spanish language skills are an advantage;
• Able to work independently on own initiative and as part of a team;

Personal Qualities/Soft Skills

• Teamplayer and being positive and respectful to people and animals;
• Receives and provides feedback in a constructive manner;
• Organised, flexible and pragmatic;
• Demonstrates initiative;
• Service oriented towards members and other stakeholders.

Must have

Strongly supportive of Eurogroup for Animals’ vision and mission

Contract

This position is full time and permanent. Competitive remuneration offered.

How to apply

To apply for the post, please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to this post along with your CV in English (Word format) by email to Louise Hilditch hr@eurogroupforanimals.org. Please include your salary expectations in your cover email and not in your motivation letter or CV.