EU Policy and Regulations Expert

Position description

COLEAD is a non-profit inter-professional association founded in 1973 whose main purpose is to facilitate and implement all actions that, directly and/or indirectly, increase the contribution made by the agricultural sector, and horticulture in particular, to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

COLEAD supports sustainable and inclusive development of both private and public sectors through technical cooperation and capacity building programmes financed by international donors (mainly the European Union and the Organisation of the ACP States). While its core activities focus on the fresh produce sector in Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) countries, its EU-funded AGRINFO[1] Programme extends to cover agricultural and agri-food in all EU INTPA partner countries (low-income economies, lower-middle income economies, and upper-middle-income economies, categorised according to the DAC List of ODA Recipients).

AGRINFO is implemented at a time when the EU is rolling out an ambitious regulatory overhaul under its Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy. Meeting EU regulations and standards is a major determinant of competitiveness and market access for export companies, and for domestic and foreign investment. Although most developing and emerging economies have exported agricultural goods to Europe for many years, the evolution of EU regulatory and market requirements remains a challenge for both private and public sectors. The far-reaching nature of new policies means that trading partners in low- and middle- income countries may face challenges in order to maintain access to EU markets, and must remain informed and engaged.

AGRINFO monitors and documents the evolution of EU policies, regulations, and standards. The main purpose is to identify and communicate on changes that have a potential impact on the competitiveness, market access and trade dynamics of low- and middle-income countries. AGRINFO documents the relevant changes, and highlights potential implications and recommended actions for stakeholders. It also proactively communicates so that information reaches the people who need it at the right time, and in the right form. This means extracting the information that is relevant from complex legal texts, and expressing it in an accessible and understandable form for end users.

The main tool used to document information is the open access AGRINFO Platform, which is constantly updated as new EU policies and regulations emerge. Information is disseminated through a variety of routes, including a regular AGRINFO Newsletter. The content covers food and feed safety; plant health; fisheries; animal health and welfare; social and environmental legislation and due diligence; organic agriculture; and marketing standards; among others.

We are currently looking for an EU Policy and Regulations Expert to join the AGRINFO Team. First and foremost, the expert must have proven communication skills, and the ability to extract and process information from legal texts. Expertise in the agrifood or fisheries sectors would be a distinct advantage, as well as work experience in/with AGRINFO target countries. Experience in the area of sustainability, and a knowledge of private certification schemes, is also highly desirable. S/he will focus on new and upcoming EU policy and regulatory and non-regulatory measures, and their potential impact on production and export from low and middle-income countries. S/he will strengthen the association’s activities by contributing towards:

• Maintaining and developing an information system that collates and compiles details on EU policies, regulatory and non-regulatory measures relevant to agrifood exports from partner countries;
• Developing communication tools aimed at improving knowledge and understanding of EU regulatory demands in partner countries;
• Engaging in outreach to stakeholders in partner countries;
• Contributing dynamically to the further development and effective delivery of the AGRINFO programme.

The position will be managed from COLEAD’s central Programme Management Unit, and based in Brussels, France, UK, Switzerland, or Portugal.

1. Description of the position and main responsibilities:

COLEAD is looking for an EU Policy and Regulations Expert to support the AGRINFO Team in the detailed analysis of EU law and engagement with stakeholders (EU institutions, food industry, producers) on policy/regulatory issues. Tasks will include:

• Analysing new and upcoming EU regulatory and non-regulatory measures to evaluate their implications on trade in agrifood products from low-and middle-income countries;
• Producing clear and concise reports on changes relevant to the target audience;
• Contributing to the development of regular communications (newsletters) and specific communication tools (guidance documents, presentations, reports) in areas of expertise;
• Outreach to stakeholders in partner countries to raise awareness of the AGRINFO programme, as well as to communicate on regulatory change;
• Responding to requests for information from stakeholders in partner countries;
• Contributing to the conceptualisation, development and delivery of impact studies;
• Participate in the administrative tasks that ensure the effective running of the programme.

This list of activities is not exhaustive. It may be adapted according to COLEAD's overall programme implementation strategy, the workload of team members and annual planning.

The EU Policy and Regulations Expert will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Science and Policy. S/he will collaborate with the COLEAD team and with partners and partner-beneficiaries of the COLEAD network.

2. Required qualifications

• Educated to degree level, preferably in agriculture/plant/agricultural sciences, food/food science, biology/biological sciences, or other relevant qualification;
• Experience in industry, consultancy, or public authority in an area relevant to the scope of this profile;
• Knowledge and/or experience of agri-food regulations, non-regulatory measures and standards;
• Specific experience involving low- and middle-income countries would be an advantage;
• Proven written and oral communication skills are essential, with the ability to adapt information for a specific target audience;
• A good understanding of EU institutions, and the EU regulatory and policy-setting process;
• Skills to engage with regulatory agencies, industry organizations and civil society on current and emerging trends;
• Professional experience and/or personal interest in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals;
• Fluent in English, verbal & written, ideally with at least one other language;
• The ability to thrive in an environment with changing needs, complexity, uncertainty and variability across work and issues, week to week. Comfortable working independently, and able to develop and maintain relationships while working remotely;
• Sharing of 5 COLEAD values: performance, continuous improvement, commitment, difference and humanity.

3. Offer

COLEAD offers competitive contractual conditions, in line with market practices. The position to be filled is ideally a full-time position, starting as soon as practicable.

Based in Belgium, France, UK, Switzerland, or Portugal, you will nevertheless be available for short-term assignments, outside and within the European Union.

Application instructions

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