Senior Research and Advocacy Officer

Finance Watch, the Brussels-based public-interest advocacy association dedicated to making finance serve society, is looking for a (Senior) Research and Advocacy Officer to strengthen its team by undertaking research and advocacy work, as well as capacity-building efforts. 

The (Senior) Research and Advocacy Officer will join a Research & Advocacy Department composed of four people, and will report to the Head of Research & Advocacy. Each member of this department works on specific areas of financial regulation and delivers:

• policy-oriented research from a public-interest perspective, including the identification of the main issues and related legislative solutions;

• advocacy, including building policymakers’ support for our proposals, with the aim to influence the legislative process; 

• regular contribution to communications, convening and capacity-building efforts in relevant areas of expertise.

The Research & Advocacy Department has regular direct contacts with international, EU and national policymakers. Additionally, this department works in close collaboration with the entire Finance Watch organisation, including its members, and with other civil society partners.

Growing this team with highly skilled and motivated professionals is an essential component of our four-year strategic plan.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The (Senior) Research and Advocacy Officer takes responsibility for legislative files and initiatives related to their subject matter expertise and defined area of responsibility. Specifically, these include public finance architecture (EU fiscal rules, debt sustainability analysis, national reform plans) and consideration of sustainability/climate risks within the macroeconomic and debt sustainability projections. 

Specific topics of responsibility are defined in the original job posting and redefined annually, based on the work program.

Core Responsibilities

Policy and advocacy

• Conduct policy-oriented research and make policy proposals.

• Draft legislative amendments.

• Develop strategic policy positions in collaboration with the Head of Research and Advocacy.

• Represent Finance Watch externally with policymakers, regulators and supervisors, financial industry participants and civil society (bilateral meetings, conferences and other events).

• Participate in industry events, as well as high-level events with policymakers, in order to represent civil society’s views.

• Develop advocacy tactics and plans.

• Execute advocacy plans targeted at policymakers and regulators. 

• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers and supervisors on an ongoing basis.

Work with Finance Watch members

• Interact with Finance Watch members on the files they are responsible for, via 

  • Posting on the Members’ Hub;

  • Organising regular working groups (at least every two months);

  • Consulting members on the draft publications ahead of the release.

• Contribute to the efforts of identifying and engaging new members.

• Interact and, where appropriate, coordinate advocacy efforts with other civil society organisations (CSO), academics and experts on the topics related to their areas of expertise.

Contribution to awareness-raising

• Contribute to the debate and comment on social media.

• Communicate regularly with journalists on the files they are responsible for.

• Draft blogs and articles, when appropriate.

• Contribute to the Finance Watch newsletters.

• Organise events (workshops, roundtable discussions, panel discussions, conferences etc.) to support research and advocacy efforts.

• Contribute to design communications and campaigning strategies.

Data management

• Contribute to the growth and maintenance of the Finance Watch database of relevant contacts (policymakers, CSOs, academics etc.).

• Contribute to drafting funding applications and the periodic reporting to funders/donors.

What does success in this job look like?

• Finance Watch strengthens its profile as a leading public-interest, expert voice in the respective subject matter area.

• Finance Watch develops a comprehensive, communicable, consistent and high-quality corpus of policy analysis and recommendations.

• Policymakers (regulators) and supervisors take onboard Finance Watch policy proposals and recommendations as part of the supervisory and legislative process.

• Finance Watch is able to anticipate major moments for action/influence, with a mix of reactive and proactive outputs.

• Finance Watch delivers its Research & Advocacy strategy and objectives on time and properly reports on the actions and results (for the respective area of responsibility).

• Collaboration and communication with the rest of the organisation is effective and transparent, which contributes to a strong team spirit.

Desired Profile / Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in the domain of public finance at the EU or Member State level, including in the application of the EU fiscal rules (multiannual financial framework, national reform plans etc), macroeconomic research/analysis, debt sustainability analysisExperience with/knowledge of economic analysis of climate change (modelling, scenario analysis, cost estimates etc.) is an advantage.

• Strong experience in conducting policy analysis and writing reports/briefs

• Understanding of the main issues at stake with the EU public finance architecture, economic governance, debt and deficit rules, relevant EU and national mechanisms/institutions

• Knowledge of the climate risk agenda 

• Understanding of the functioning of public finance in general and ability to analyse a diverse range of financial issues

• Strong understanding of the EU legislative process, financial regulation and supervision

• Master’s Degree, PhD or equivalent level in a relevant field of studies (macroeconomics/economics, political science, law etc.)

Professional Interests

• Personal conviction about the relevance of Finance Watch’s mission of “making finance serve society”

• Interest in and ability to understand other public finance topics such as state aid, procurement, monetary policy, as well as private finance (banking, insurance, financial markets, retail/consumer finance) 

• Interest in financial reforms in Europe, relevant international mechanisms and institutions

Skills

• Ability to work and communicate with multiple stakeholders, internally and externally

• Experience in representing an organisation externally and public speaking, including at international events

• Effective workload management, including managing competing demands and maintaining high levels of accuracy and reliability

• Ability to analyse finance topics and regulation thereof, identify issues and propose solutions

• Ability to work with a CRM tool and databases

Languages

• Fluent written and spoken English is essential

• Fluency in at least one other EU language is a plus (in particular, Italian, Spanish and German)

WHAT WE OFFER

• A permanent contract under Belgian law

• No probation period

• 100%, or part-time negotiable

• 40h a week

• Hybrid (i.e. teleworking in Belgium + presence in the office in Brussels)

• A competitive salary, dependent on seniority and skillset

• 20 days of legal holidays (prorata) per year + 1 recup day per month (prorata)

• A monthly expense allowance, amount depending on seniority

• A laptop (for professional use)

• Full reimbursement of public transportation in Belgium

• Lunch vouchers 8€ per working day

• “Ecocheques” 250€ per year (prorata)

• Training possibilities

• A multidisciplinary and multicultural working environment

Equal employment opportunity

Finance Watch is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees, regardless of sex, marital status, nationality, religion, age, sexual orientation and any other characteristics unrelated to the performance of the job. Know that we are particularly eager to increase the representation of women, “non-Caucasian” and disabled people within the Finance Watch staff. Selection will be in accordance with objective and job-related criteria. The appointment will be on the basis of applicants’ merits and abilities.

Application guidelines

Interested candidates are invited to send a letter of motivation + CV via email to: [email protected]

Please quote “Research & Advocacy Vacancy” in the title of your email.

The position remains open until filled.

Interviews will take place online and/or in Brussels.