Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) is seeking a

FOOD CAMPAIGNER FOR ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST GMOs

Full time based in the FoEE office in Brussels for 6 months sick leave cover, subject to extension

DEADLINE: Friday 22nd January 2010, 18:00

The way we produce and consume food in Europe leads to environmental and social problems both within Europe and in developing countries, as well as contributing to climate change and the loss of biodiversity.

Genetically modified crops are one key element in the spread of polluting, intensive farming controlled by a handful of multinational companies. The vast majority of GM crops grown in the world are in fact used to feed animals in factory farms in industrialised regions such as Europe. GM crops are also used as false solutions to climate change and world hunger as a way of gaining acceptance.

The majority of the European population has opposed genetically modified foods for more than ten years now, making this issue one of the most controversial topics in European science, technology and politics. FoEE has been campaigning for a GM free Europe as part of a GM free world for more than a decade.

This post is an excellent opportunity to work towards FoEE’s overall aim of global food sovereignty as part of our Food, Agriculture and Biodiversity programme. Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, and supported by FoEE GMO experts, you will be working in a highly respected and growing campaigning organisation on a high profile and important issue.

Friends of the Earth campaigns for sustainable and just societies, and for the protection of the environment. It unites more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups and is part of the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth International. Please see www.foeeurope.org and www.foeeurope.org/GMOs/Index.htm for more information.

Purpose of role:
To coordinate key campaign activities against the use of GMOs in food and farming in Europe and beyond, and to promote food sovereignty.

Key tasks and responsibilities:
Working within a supportive office environment and with other NGOs and FoE groups, the campaigner will carry out the following tasks and responsibilities:

Coordinating the FoEE campaign
* Campaign management (Plan and deliver key activities, monitor and evaluate progress against strategic and operational plans)
* Member group engagement (Work closely and in liaison with campaigners in our national groups)
* Steering group leadership and project management (preparing and managing meetings, co-ordinating activities to ensure outputs, co-ordinating capacity building, managing consultants if appropriate)
* Networking, developing expertise and engaging with decision makers Research (where necessary proposing and overseeing research protocols)
* Knowledge management and communication (Monitoring political developments closely, identifying and sharing useful information within the campaign and organisation)
* Lobbying (making appropriate interventions targeted at the right people at key moments in the decision-making process)
* Building partnerships and alliances (Working closely with key stakeholders and civil society groups)

Communication activities
* Press and Media (continue to develop our high profile with the media through good relationships with key journalists and publications, be FoEE’s spokesperson on GMOs, and produce quality content for press releases)
* Events and actions (design, deliver and evaluate events and actions with clear messages for identified target audiences)

Supporting the FoEE Food, Agriculture and Biodiversity Programme
* Fundraising and administration (contributing to securing and reporting for funds, managing campaign and activity budgets in conjunction with the Programme Coordinator and maintaining records in line with office requirements)
* Participating in the running and development of the programme, office and network (meetings, planning, staff and organisational development)

Essential requirements:
* Proven experience of environmental campaigning at a national, European or international level
* Extensive knowledge of the political debate surrounding GMOs
* Knowledge of how the key EU institutions function
* Experience of analysing and communicating policy issues to a wide range of audiences
* Experience of /skills in facilitating meetings
* Excellent and persuasive communication and presentation skills
* Excellent written and spoken English
* Able to travel and work flexibly
* Strong commitment to the values, vision and mission of Friends of the Earth Europe.

The position requires occasional evening and weekend work and occasional international travel.

Salary and benefits:
Salary between 2600 and 3200 Euro gross, depending on experience, plus benefits (luncheon vouchers, pension scheme, hospitalisation insurance). Conditions are according to Belgian legislation including the legal ability to live and work in Belgium. FoEE offers a highly motivating working environment in an international NGO.

Application procedure:
If you feel you meet our criteria, please send a CV along with a letter of no more than 2 sides of A4 explaining how you meet each of the essential requirements listed above. The contact details for two references are also required. Your application should be sent by email to jobs@foeeurope.org by Friday 22nd January 2010, 18:00.

Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted in the following week – thank you for your understanding.

Invitations to interview will be sent shortly afterwards and interviews will be conducted in the week of 1st February. The position ideally starts from the 1st March or sooner if possible.