Senior Policy Officer – Biodiversity (Part-time)

About us

Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe is a Brussels-based environmental NGO with a diverse, multidisciplinary and multilingual team. PAN Europe strives to eliminate hazardous pesticides in Europe and beyond, reducing dependency on pesticides, and promoting ecologically sound alternatives to chemical pest control. PAN Europe is an association of 51 European organisational members.

Job description

The steady growth of the organisation requires hiring motivated and skilled personnel. To that end, we are now looking for a Senior Policy Officer who will be focused on environment and biodiversity regulatory work at EU and national level. The position will support PAN Europe’s advocacy work towards a better implementation of EU law to better protect the environment and biodiversity. For this role you will need to have an expertise in EU law-making in the area of chemicals/pesticides and/or a strong scientific background in toxicology. Previous experience representing civil society organisations at policy and global venues is desired.

Key responsibilities

• Lead PAN Europe’s campaign on Environmental Risk Assessment of pesticides, in general.

• Develop PAN Europe’s campaign on non-target arthropods.

• Ensure a proper follow-up on the EU and national protection of bees against pesticides.

• Lead on PAN Europe’s network work on the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law.

• Ensure a proper national transposition of the Environmental Crime Directive.

• Take part in legal work related to regulatory decisions related to the environment.

• Investigate issues in the risk assessment of pesticides at EU and/or national level.

• Liaise with independent scientists in order to strengthen PAN Europe’s advocacy towards a scientifically robust and independent risk assessment of pesticides.

• Identify strategic opportunities for PAN Europe to develop advocacy responses and influence public conversations.

• Publicly represent PAN Europe’s positions to policy makers, European and international coalitions and media.

• Assist relevant working groups within PAN Europe.

• Provide high quality political reporting and analysis of major events and developments in Europe.

• Design visit programmes, organising meetings, and providing informative briefings.

• Participate in relevant public events.

• Collaborate with PAN Europe colleagues for joint projects and activities.

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including elected representatives, Government departments, statutory bodies, academia, funders and non-governmental organisations.

• Manage and support policy staff, including volunteers and interns, particularly in the production of policy submissions and research papers.

• Support our communications team in developing communication material.

Location

This position is based in Brussels. Other EU locations can be considered, provided that the candidate is willing to travel to Brussels (when physical presence is required, within a maximum of three hour trip, by train).

Person Specification

Qualifications

• University degree, ideally at Master’s level or higher (environmental science, toxicology, biology, chemistry, or a degree in political science or law).

• Experience in working with networks and coalitions.

• Be familiar with the work of EU institutions, particularly the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

• Experience in research desired.

Key competences

• Fluent in English and preferably other European languages.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Have an expert mindset, being capable of researching into heavy regulatory dossiers.

• Ability to work independently and be proactive.

• Positive attitude and a commitment to working for the environment.

• Strong motivation and commitment to work for the protection of human health and the environment, a good and resilient fighting spirit.

• Good social and advocacy skills to translate a complicated technical message into an easy-to-understand concept.

• Able to use simple and well-understood language and to strengthen PAN Europe’s network and visibility.

• Well organised.

• Good multi-tasking and multi-disciplinary skills, with great attention to details.

What this job opportunity will offer

• Flexible working hours, teleworking, extra benefits (e.g., extra annual leave on top of the Belgian leave entitlement et al.).

• Pleasant, supportive and inclusive work environment, with an experienced, multilingual and multicultural team.

• Exposure to policies, science, agriculture, communication, law and democratic aspects of EU institutions in a team of skilled colleagues.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

How to apply

Please send an email with subject the Job Title and your Full Name (e.g., “Senior Policy Officer – John Smith”) and attach your CV and Cover Letter (in English) to Katerina lordanopoulou at [email protected] explaining how you meet the above qualifications. The deadline is Wednesday, 9 April 2025. Due to the low administration capacity, we regret that only candidates invited to an interview will receive a reply.