EU Nature Policy Officer - Maternity Cover

The EU Nature Policy Officer, as part of BirdLife Europe and Central Asia’s policy team will help ensure that EU policies are designed and implemented in a way that promotes biodiversity conservation. He/she will support and coordinate BirdLife Partnership’s work on EU Nature Policy, notably the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network, the restoration agenda, help formulate positions and represent and promote BirdLife’s views to the EU Institutions. He/she will also help design and deliver successful campaigns, projects and publications aiming to achieve BirdLife’s policy priorities. 

 

 

•To keep abreast of EU legislative and policy developments primarily related to the Birds and Habitats Directives/Natura 2000/Restoration and other fields as appropriate. To promote the correct implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives across EU and neighborhood countries in particular through:

•To help generating, formulating, adopting and advocating to EU level decision makers BirdLife positions related to the EU 2030 biodiversity strategy, mainly on policy issues regarding Protected Areas, restoration and species protection.

•To assist in developing constructive working relationships with key influential bodies, especially the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as relevant NGOs and stakeholders, and to win their support for our priorities, positions and programmes individually and collectively.

•To represent BirdLife Europe and Central Asia at technical EU committees, working groups, and at the European Habitats Forum etc. in relation with areas described in Overall Purpose of Job.

•To co-operate with all BirdLife Europe and Central Asia staff, in particular with the Head of EU Policy, the other members of the EU Policy Team and the Regional Director, as well as with the Coordinator and the members of Nature Task Force and to fully involve them in relevant discussions to facilitate and promote BirdLife’s positions.

•To help provide detailed briefs and papers for decision-makers, along with the other staff in the office. To provide detailed briefs and updates on relevant policy areas for the Partners (particularly for the Birds and Habitats Directives Task Force).

•To help identify opportunities for funding, in collaboration with specialist fundraisers, (other) European Division staff and Partners. Contribute to reporting to donors as necessary.

•To contribute to the publications of BirdLife Europe and Central Asia.

•To represent BirdLife Europe and Central Asia at external meetings and conferences as necessary.

•To contribute as appropriate to the work and general policy of BirdLife Europe and Central Asia and the European BirdLife Partnership. 

•To respond to inquiries as necessary from within and outside the Partnership.

 

 

Good general knowledge and authoritative manner about biodiversity conservation. Candidate should have a good understading of policy issues related to the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and the EU biodiversity Strategy, and a good understanding of the working of the EU institutions.

Ideal candidate would also have detailed experience and knowledge regarding the Nature 2000 network (designation, protection, management, financing), the EU legal framework around hunting of birds, the legal framework for the protection and recovery of bird species, compliance with and enforcement of the Birds and Habitats Directives.

Knowledge about BirdLife work on implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives and of the work of BirdLife Partners in the EU is a plus.

 

 

Excellent oral and written English with the ability to produce policy briefs and reports.

Good interpersonal, networking and team working skills.

Basic standard of computer literacy (Excel, Word, Power Point and Outlook and the Internet).

Ability to work in a multicultural environment and grasp problems related to different situations across Europe.

Additional languages are an asset.

 

 

Commitment to nature conservation.

Strong self-motivation and curiosity.

Problem-solving attitude and capacity to resolve potential conflicts.

Assertiveness and confidence.

Creativity both in thinking and in executing tasks.

 

 

 

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