Policy Officer
Policy Officer
ECCJ - European Coalition for Corporate Justice
Brussels, Belgium
About the European Coalition for Corporate Justice
With 20 member groups who represent over 480 organisations from 17 countries, ECCJ is the only European coalition bringing together European campaigns and national platforms of NGOs, trade unions, consumer organisations and academics to promote corporate accountability.
The coalition is driven by a vision of a sustainable world in which corporations’ drive for profit is balanced by the interests of society at large, and where businesses respect human, social and environmental rights. We seek to tackle some of the root causes of corporate injustice by improving European laws governing activities of business and their impacts on people and planet. ECCJ works as a catalyst, drawing on the expertise and experience of organisations across Europe to provide a united voice at the EU level and promote the need for legal change.
More info: www.corporatejustice.org.
Purpose of the position
We are looking for a Policy Officer to work on mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence and corporate liability, and other related legislative files. The position is focused on advocacy and coalition building.
The Policy Officer will implement ECCJ’s strategic and operational plans on corporate due diligence and liability, being one key element of corporate accountability. They will be in charge of ensuring that strategic goals are met and deadlines are respected.
Profile
They will be:
- A highly motivated person with a hands-on approach, able to translate ECCJ’s strategy into concrete action;
- A strategic thinker sharing ECCJ’s vision for a better accountability of corporations;
- Able to understand legislative developments at EU level and their implications on ECCJ’s projects and advocacy work;
- A persuasive speaker capable of promoting ECCJ’s message and policy proposals in public and political debates;
- Able to prioritise, working in an independent and structured way;
- Able to work in a small international team, representing a broad range of member organisations, where some flexibility might be required.
Key responsibilities
The Policy Officer will:
- Support ECCJ’s policy and advocacy work in the framework of the legislative process towards an EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence;
- Keep track of other related legislative files relevant to the corporate accountability movement;
- Closely follow the agenda of European decision-making bodies and identify timely and strategic advocacy opportunities;
- Build relationships and engage with relevant decision-makers towards key policy outcomes;
- Organise and participate in meetings with key decision-makers;
- Research and develop policy and legal reports, briefs and internal notes for the ECCJ and assist with member organisations’ policy analysis;
- Develop advocacy material: advocacy papers, letters and other advocacy material.
- Keep track of relevant legislative developments in European countries;
- Support member organisations in their advocacy work;
- Build and strengthen the coalition and facilitate learning across the ECCJ, including organising weekly calls for advocacy coordination, as well as regular written updates;
- Participate in and strengthen a group of Brussels-based NGOs working on corporate accountability and, particularly, on the EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence;
- Represent the ECCJ at public events and meetings;
- Support in drafting funding applications and reporting to donors.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Requirements:
- A commitment to, and thorough understanding of the mission of ECCJ and its vision of corporate accountability and policy change;
- Ability to understand complex legal concepts and understanding of EU policy and legislation in the field of corporate accountability and due diligence;
- A good understanding and knowledge of the EU, its institutions and their functioning;
- A good understanding of the implications of European companies’ behaviour and impacts outside of Europe;
- At least 2 years’ experience in policy advocacy; preferably at EU level and preferably on corporate accountability related policies;
- Experience in research and evaluation projects and outstanding analytical skills;
- Excellent communication skills – ability to articulate clear messages to different audiences;
- Very good IT skills;
- Complete fluency in English with proficiency in at least one other EU language;
- Ability and willingness to travel within Europe;
- Be a citizen of an EU member state or have a valid residence and work permit for Belgium.
Strong additional assets:
- Experience in policy advocacy on corporate due diligence;
- Experience in coordinating and developing the capacity of a network of member organisations;
- Experience in research and policy analysis, including drafting policy and legal reports;
- Experience in liaising with stakeholders from different backgrounds (policy makers, civil society organisations, business, academics, etc.);
- Experience in organising events;
- Experience / understanding of working in or with a very small organisation;
- Expertise in international and/or European law.
We offer
- A gross monthly salary depending on experience, starting from 3300 € on the basis of a full-time contract;
- A contract under Belgian law with an attractive set of benefits: 13th month salary, 5 additional holiday days, office closing days between Christmas and New Year, lunch vouchers, pension scheme, hospitalisation insurance, comprehensive travel insurance and contribution to local transport costs;
- Training opportunities to further develop your professional skills;
- A dynamic and stimulating work environment in an international team, working on one of the most exciting human rights dossiers in Europe while being part of a large civil society movement;
- A flexible working environment, where working from home is combined with regular contact in the office with respect for the needs of the employee. We have solid IT facilities and remote working software.
How to apply
Please send:
- A motivational letter (one A4 page max.);
- A short outline (one A4 page max.) of your assessment of the draft European legislation on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directive;
- Your CV;
- One recommendation letter or professional reference.
until Friday 22th of May 2022 to recruitment@corporatejustice.org with the following email subject: “ECCJ Policy Officer application – Your name”.
Interviews will be scheduled online between 30 May and 10 June.
Only applications meeting the above mentioned criteria will be considered. Unfortunately, we can only notifiy candidates selected for interviews.
ECCJ is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates regardless of their backgrounds.
