About IFOAM Organics Europe

IFOAM Organics Europe is the European umbrella organisation for organic food and farming. We represent the organic movement in European policymaking and advocate for a transformation of food and farming systems. Our work is grounded in the principles of organic agriculture: health, ecology, fairness, and care. With over 200 members across 34 European countries, our network spans the entire organic food chain. The European institutions officially recognise IFOAM Organics Europe as the leading voice for organic food and farming in EU policy.

Job Title: Research & Innovation Project Officer

We are currently recruiting two profiles to join our dynamic Research & Innovation (R&I) team:

One profile focused on agriculture-oriented projects
One profile focused on food processing-oriented projects

Please indicate clearly in your application whether you are applying for one or both roles. Only candidates with relevant experience in the specific field(s) will be considered for the next steps in the recruitment process.

Important:

Applications are open only to EU citizens or candidates with a valid Belgian work permit. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered eligible.

Interview Process:

Interviews with selected candidates will take place during the 21st and 22nd of May 2025, with a possible second round of interviews on May 27th. Please make sure to save the date in case you are shortlisted.

What kind of person are we looking for?

Education & Qualifications

Master’s degree in agronomy, food technologies, food systems or other natural sciences

Experience – Essential

Knowledge of EU agriculture and food system
At least 2 years experience in managing EU research and innovation projects, Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe
Professional knowledge of English

Experience – Desirable

Knowledge of other languages is an asset
Knowledge about/work experience in Non-Governmental Organisations
Basic knowledge of organic agriculture
Previous experience in working with some software and IT tools such as CRM database, Outlook, Sharepoint, Word and Excel.

Skills & Attributes

Strong organizational skills with a structured and detail-oriented approach to tasks.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with external stakeholders and partners.
Self-motivated and capable of working independently while ensuring high-quality outcomes.
Ability to thrive in a multicultural and international work environment.
Adaptable and flexible, able to adjust to evolving situations and priorities.
Strong alignment with and commitment to the mission, values, and objectives of IFOAM Organics Europe.

Conditions of employment

Full time position – Monday to Friday, 38 hours/week
Based at the IFOAM Organics Europe office in Brussels
Salary between 35,489.25 € and 47,319.01 € gross yearly depending on qualifications and experience
Employment period: indetermined contract
High level of flexibility with floating hours, possibility of homeworking up to 3 days a week, and abroad up to 1 month per year
Public transport coverage from home to the office or bike km
Hospitalisation and health insurance plan A-Z from DKV
Meal voucher (€8/ working day with €1.09 at charge of the employee)
€250 eco-cheque/year (prorate of the number of months worked)
Working from abroad (max 1 month per civil year)
Holidays payment (92% of the salary in June if applicable)
24 days holiday per year
Extra holiday: Christmas Break from 24th December to 31st December and the Friday after Assumption
Extra benefits: home working allowance, loyalty bonus starting from the 3rd year of employment.
Only EU citizens or with a valid Belgian working permit

How to apply?

Apply through the following link: Application Form: R&I Officer

Application deadline: 11.05.2025

Please, be aware that given the number of applications, we will contact only the selected applicants.

Key tasks:

PROFILE FOCUSED ON AGRICULTURE-ORIENTED PROJECTS

BIOGREENET (60%):

BIOGREENET aims to promote the development of the organic greenhouse production. The main role of IFOAM Organics Europe in the project is to adapt easily accessible practice-oriented knowledge on organic production to be disseminated among greenhouse producers.

Training project partners on practice abstracts and videos production
Define topics and coordinating the development and translations of dissemination materials
Create and ensure synergies with other relevant initiatives, projects, and platforms
Coordinate the organisation of national events and organise an EU level policy conference
Produce a position paper explaining the organic approach in the organic greenhouses and environmental sustainability
Attend and represent IFOAM Organics Europe at the annual project meetings
Organise and attend specific meetings with colleagues and project partners to plan the implementation of project tasks
Contribute to reporting: ensure quality and timely delivery of technical and financial reports to the project coordinator

Other projects (40%):

Similar assistance with other projects may be requested if needed.

PROFILE FOCUSED ON FOOD PROCESSING-ORIENTED PROJECTS

WINN-Organic (40%):

WINN-Organic aims to develop an open and sustainable innovation ecosystem that addresses imbalances in the organic food value chain and contributes to stimulate demand for organic food.

Organise online or in-person workshops to identify priorities for adoption of solutions (e.g., adaptable and flexible small-scale processing, sustainable packaging, supply and distribution, augmented reality)
Map and analyse relevant policies and regulations at the EU and national level
Produce policy briefs and a roadmap for adoption of solutions at different scales across Europe
Attend and represent IFOAM Organics Europe at the annual project meetings
Organise and attend specific meetings with colleagues and project partners to plan the implementation of project tasks
Contribute to reporting: ensure quality and timely delivery of technical and financial reports to the project coordinator

InnOFoodLabs (40%):

InnOFoodLabs aims at stimulating organic food production, processing, retail, and consumption through targeted technological and social innovations.

Mapping EU-projects and initiatives with related objectives, policy makers and key actors
Establish and ensure collaboration with EU-projects, policy makers and other key actors
Ensure long-term availability of project results via Organic Farm Knowledge platform, EU-FarmBook and EIP-AGRI
Identify enabling factors and obstacles to innovation in organic value chains in terms of regulation and policy, both at national and EU-level and provide policy recommendations
Organise an EU level final project conference with value chain actors, AKIS actors, policy makers
Attend and represent IFOAM Organics Europe at the annual project meetings
Organise and attend specific meetings with colleagues and project partners to plan the implementation of project tasks
Contribute to reporting: ensure quality and timely delivery of technical and financial reports to the project coordinator

Other projects (20%):