Head of Programmes

Position description

Lead and coordinate high-impact animal welfare advocacy across core programme areas, bridging the gap between strategic EU policy lobbying and national member collaboration to drive systemic legislative change and advance long-term strategic goals.

Eurogroup for Animals is the pan-European animal protection organisation which unites the voices of leading national and international organisations. We work to improve the welfare of as many animals as possible by leading and delivering coordinated advocacy and campaigns at European level. Eurogroup for Animals uses its knowledge and expertise to challenge EU decision makers and bring about positive change. By uniting our members and working together we magnify national activities to get our message across at European level. Eurogroup for Animals is a founding member of the World Federation for Animals (WFA), our global sister organisation.

Purpose of the role

As Head of Programmes, you will lead the coordination and delivery of Eurogroup for Animals’ programmes as set out in our 2030 Strategy, ensuring impactful, coherent, and influential advocacy across all priority areas. Working in close partnership with the CEO and as a member of the Leadership Team, you will play a key role in shaping and supporting the development and implementation of organisational strategy, strengthening programme integration, and enhancing collaboration with horizontal teams.

In this role, you will also act as a key adviser to the CEO on programme priorities, advocacy direction, and opportunities to maximise impact across the organisation’s work.

The role oversees the Programme Leaders and works closely with colleagues across the organisation to ensure alignment, collaboration, growth and impact.

Primary responsibilities

Leadership and programme coordination

• Lead and coordinate Eurogroup for Animals’ programmes policy areas (Farm animals, Wild animals, Cats and Dogs and Animals in Science), ensuring strong alignment with organisational priorities and the 2030 Strategy, as well as effective delivery of advocacy objectives;
• Act as a key adviser to the CEO and Leadership Team on programme strategy, advocacy direction, emerging opportunities, risks;
• Support and guide Programme Leaders in setting strategic priorities, developing work plans, and delivering high-impact advocacy outcomes in time;
• Strengthen collaboration across programmes and horizontal teams to enhance delivery, growth, integration, effectiveness, and organisational learning;
• Monitor programme delivery, impact, budgets, and risks, and provide clear reporting and strategic insights to the CEO and Leadership Team;
• Support the development of programme and project proposals in close collaboration with Programme Leaders and the Development team, ensuring strategic alignment, quality and speed;
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organisational culture aligned with Eurogroup for Animals’ values.

Programme integration and knowledge sharing

• Play a leading role in fostering communication, cohesiveness and team spirit;
• Develop the necessary systems, processes and tools to better support the facilitation, collection and sharing of knowledge generated by programmes;
• Promote organisational learning and ensure effective sharing of programme insights, policy developments, and advocacy outcomes across teams and member organisations;
• Ensure that key programmes, policy and advocacy outcomes are evaluated and leveraged for maximum community and organisational impact;
• Work collaboratively with the Leadership Team to integrate cross-programme activities and functions.

Person specification

Essential skills & qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in advocacy, policy, programme leadership or NGO management, including experience managing multidisciplinary teams;
• Relevant academic background (e.g. animal welfare, life sciences, ethology, biology) and equivalent professional experience in animal welfare or related fields;
• Strong understanding of EU political and legislative processes, including demonstrated experience influencing policy and advocacy outcomes;
• Demonstrable knowledge of EU legislation and policy relevant to animal protection and welfare;
• Strong strategic, analytical and leadership skills, with the ability to manage complexity and drive high-impact advocacy work;
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with member organisations;
• Commitment to Eurogroup for Animals’ mission, values and collaborative way of working;
• Fluent spoken and written English; additional EU languages are an asset.

Desirable skills and qualifications

• Strategic and forward-thinking mindset;
• Ability to navigate complexity, competing priorities, and evolving political environments;
• Ability to lead effectively in fast-paced and high-pressure environments;
• Well-organised and focussed on results and deliverables;
• Ability of working independently on own initiative and as part of a team.

The person should have affinity with animal welfare and relate to the vision and mission of Eurogroup for Animals.

The values that we at Eurogroup for Animals adhere to are: collaboration; entrepreneurship; impact and a focus on member organisations.

Practicalities

This is a full-time permanent position offered on an initial three-year contract, we prefer candidates living in or at a frequent travel distance to Brussels.

Salary range: €6,352/mo to €7,152/mo depending on experience and according to Eurogroup for Animals’ salary equity scale.

Application instructions

Please send your application letter, your salary expectations and CV, in English.

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