Programme Officer: Trade and Animal Welfare

Eurogroup for Animals is Europe’s leading pan-European animal advocacy organisation, federating 66 national and international members. Our vision is to create a Europe where the well-being of all animals is assured, and where they experience a good life. Utilising excellent EU public affairs skills, we work to improve the well-being of as many animals as possible and defend the interests of the billions of animals kept in laboratories, farms and homes or living in the wild. We do this by achieving better legislation, standards, enforcement and societal attitudes, through a united community of animal protection organisations. 

With the growing International trade of goods, food and animals, Eurogroup for Animals considers that trade can undermine progress on animal welfare, threaten EU standards and lead to an increase of lower welfare imports. At the same time, the EU’s Trade Policy can be a vehicle for promoting animal welfare worldwide. Over the last decade, Eurogroup for Animals has successfully addressed  animal welfare in trade policy,  by for instance obtaining the first chapter on Animal Welfare and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in a trade agreement, with the EU-Mexico modernised Global Agreement, and the first trade preference conditioned to the respect of EU animal welfare standards, in the draft EU-Mercosur agreement.  

The purpose of Eurogroup for Animals work on Trade & Animal Welfare is to safeguard the EU’s animal welfare standards in trade agreements and trade practices with third countries, as well as in the EU’s policy at the WTO. We also aim to further animal welfare by fostering higher welfare standards in trading countries and the EU 

As we have expanded our trade and animal welfare work to countries such as India and China, we are now looking for a Programme Officer to strengthen our team of dedicated professionals. 

Key responsibilities

• Monitor international and EU trade policy as well as WTO affairs which relate to animal welfare, animal life and health and/or environmental protection;
• Develop and execute lobby strategies to influence trade agreements or trade related dossiers;
• Represent Eurogroup for Animals on trade issues within the EU institutions and other relevant stakeholder organisations and events
• Produce communications and lobby materials and contribute to the organisation of events
• Develop networks of supportive organisations in trade partnering countries
• Lobby EU and third country decision-makers to include higher welfare requirements in bilateral trade agreements between the EU and third countries;

Candidate profile

Essential

• Degree in International relations, European Studies, Economics and Trade, Sustainable Development, veterinary medicine, or any related field; 
• 5 years+ professional experience, preferably in an International Trade policy making environment;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with trade policy (EU and international) and of political processes at EU and International level;
• Advocacy acumen with track-record of success, ideally with the EU institutions;
• Ability to pioneer new thinking, connect the dots and persuade;
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills; 
• Ability to think strategically and creatively;
• Fluency (spoken and written) in English and at least one additional language;
• Professional approach, high standards of delivery;
• Strong diplomatic, tactical and interpersonal skills;
• High degree of autonomy, accountability, diligence and sense of responsibility;
• Proactive, team player and service oriented;
• Strong motivation to work on animal advocacy;

Desired

• Familiarity and affinity with Asian countries, culture and diplomacy;
• Prior experience with animal advocacy;
• Prior experience in diplomacy;
• Mastery of other relevant languages for international trade such as Russian, Chinese or Spanish.

Employment Contract

38 hours per week, unlimited employment contract under Belgian law. Competitive remuneration and benefits package offered. A valid EU working permit is required.

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.

There is no deadline for applications, but we will review applications and conduct interviews as we go along. The vacancy will be closed once we have filled it.