EU Policy Manager

Position description

Blue Marine Foundation exists to restore the ocean to health by pressing for the creation of marine protected areas, restoring vital habitats and stopping overfishing. Our mission is to see at least 30 per cent of the world’s ocean under effective protection by 2030 and the whole ocean managed sustainably. With conservation and restoration projects around the world, Blue Marine has become a powerful force in the fight to save our ocean.

Blue Marine has established a new organisation - Blue Marine Brussels ASBL - with the aim of engaging directly with the European institutions.

We require a driven and experienced professional who can lead our Blue Marine Brussels office to be our representative in the European Union to support the delivery of our mission.

Employer: Blue Marine Belgium ASBL, a subsidiary of the Blue Marine Foundation
Line Manager: Directors of Blue Marine Belgium ASBL
Salary: €60,000 to €65,000 (dependent on experience)
Location: Brussels, or within easy reach of Brussels
Contract: Permanent
Hours: The role is full-time, but part-time applicants (four days a week) would also be considered

Job Purpose

The EU Policy Manager will be our key representative in Brussels.

The purpose of the role is to influence policy in Brussels, both at EU and member state level, to ensure that environmental policy commitments are upheld and that EU waters are meaningfully protected, for the benefit of all EU citizens.

There is significant scope for creativity and thought leadership within the role and it would suit someone with an appropriate level of experience, who is keen to develop their skills within a supportive framework, and to join Blue Marine’s extraordinary team of staff and their network. We are looking for a dynamic, driven, people person who can identify collaborators and operators that can achieve positive change quickly and efficiently on a large scale.

To deliver effective marine conservation outcomes, you will support targeted areas where Blue Marine can collaborate with European environmental NGOs, MEPs, the European Commission and others.

You will be the key representative of Blue Marine at the EU, with support from colleagues in the UK and elsewhere in the EU.

You will work from Brussels, both at home and from our office in the city, with occasional trips to Blue Marine Foundation HQ in London.

European Programme

• There will be a high degree of autonomy in the role, but the Directors of Blue Marine Belgium are very experienced and will develop a programme of work at a suitable level for the successful candidate;
• The following programmes are examples of core work programmes:
  • The application of the Habitats Directive to European waters;
  • The implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law;
  • The annual negotiations for fishing limits;
  • The development of effective regulation of the EU distant-water fishing fleet;
  • Implementation and delivery of the Common Fisheries Policy;
  • The regulation of deep-sea mining across the EU.

Blue Marine has existing access to European collaborations within all these programmes, but requires more direct access afforded by Brussels representation.

Funding

• The role is fully funded but there will be a requirement to be engaged in further fundraising activities with our extremely professional in-house funding team.

Training and Support

• Blue Marine recognises the importance of the rigorous development of knowledge; many of our staff either have visiting posts at academic institutions or are undertaking self-development through post-graduate qualification by publication;
• Blue Marine runs an in-house knowledge development programme of internal and external speakers;
• There is a series of team building and mutual learning events operating throughout the year.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Blue Marine’s success has been based on drawing knowledge and expertise from a wide diversity of backgrounds, religious beliefs and philosophical views;
• We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Skills, Experience and Attributes

• The candidate should be driven, persuasive and well connected in Brussels;
• Fluent in French. German, Danish, Greek, Spanish or Italian would be extremely useful;
• Relevant expertise in environment and/or European policy development;
• Working knowledge of European regulations;
• Basic knowledge of budgeting to support our accounts staff;
• Confidence and ability to challenge and innovate;
• Ability to work under own direction;
• In-depth understanding of European institutions;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrable desire to learn;
• High level of integrity, discretion and impartiality.

 

Application instructions

Please apply by 29 December with a CV and Cover letter in English stating how your past experience equips you for the role.