Benefits of working at IFOAM Organics Europe
VACANCIES - APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED.
IFOAM Organics Europe is currently looking for two new colleagues to join the office team:
- Events & membership assistant
- Policy officer on inputs & organic textiles.
The deadline for application was 6 April 2025.
All vacancies listed are for to be filled in at our Brussels office. If exceptions apply, this will be explicitly stated in the vacancy description.
Key tasks
Membership (50%):
- Support internal communications and organizational coordination within IFOAM Organics Europe’s governance structure, including the Council, and members, ensuring effective engagement in internal activities and meetings.
- Assist in the coordination and management of the member extranet, ensuring smooth functionality and accessibility.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies for member recruitment and
retention, fostering a strong and engaged membership base. - Maintain and update membership information on relevant online platforms, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
- Assist in the development of promotional materials to enhance membership outreach and engagement.
- Assist with member invoicing and administer changes in membership status.
- Support the improvement and optimization of IFOAM Organics Europe’s membership structure and coordination processes.
- Update and maintain membership and internal governance records within the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
- Manage and oversee member access to the extranet, ensuring appropriate permissions and usability.
Events (50%):
- Assist in the logistical coordination of key IFOAM Organics Europe events, including the European Organic Congress, General Assembly, BIOFACH trade fair, Organics Europe Youth Event, Organic Food Forum and other relevant events.
- Maintain and update IFOAM Organics Europe event website, event pages, and calendars to ensure accurate and timely information.
- Facilitate communication with event stakeholders, including organizational partners, participants, speakers, and service providers.
- Support the maintenance and development of partnerships for external events.
- Coordinate internal team meetings related to event planning and execution.
- Oversee the development and distribution of promotional materials for IFOAM Organics Europe events.
- Assist in the creation of event programs by gathering input from colleagues, managing deadlines, and liaising with speakers and moderators.
- Draft, edit, and track event organization timelines to ensure smooth execution.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of IFOAM Organics Europe’s event planning and
management processes.
Job purpose:
To efficiently and professionally coordinate the activities of IFOAM Organics Europe in the agriculture and environmental fields, with a focus on natural inputs, including seeds and biocontrol, and the use of pesticides. The Policy Officer will also work on organic textiles and support work regarding the organic regulation.
We might also consider professionals with a more experienced profile for this position, which could in this case can be an office or an in-house consultant position. In the latter option, the candidate needs to be based in Europe and be able to travel regularly to Brussels – at times at short notice.
Key tasks
Coordination of IFOAM Organics Europe activities in the fields of inputs, particularly pesticides, fertilizers, and seeds, and the upcoming legislation on biocontrol (80%):
- Research, identify and analyse relevant legislative developments in the environmental and agriculture policy fields, with a focus on natural inputs, including seeds, natural substances and biocontrol, as well as the use of pesticides.
- Draft IFOAM Organics Europe position papers and advocacy material, as well as press releases and articles for both external and internal communication.
- Analyse feedback from IFOAM Organics Europe members and integrate results of internal consultations into positions.
- Effectively communicate policy activities and political developments to IFOAM Organics Europe internal structures and members.
- Conduct advocacy work on these issues towards EU institutions.
- Liaise with researchers to develop studies to support the advocacy work.
- Contribute to the fundraising for the relevant policy activities.
- Contribute to the coordination and implementation of IFOAM Organics Europe projects.
- Represent IFOAM Organics Europe at external events if requested.
Coordination of IFOAM Organics Europe activities aimed at protecting the credibility of organic & the need for an organic label in the textile sector (20%):
- Implement the IFOAM Organics Europe advocacy strategy on organic textiles which includes working on the EU strategy for sustainable textiles, promoting the benefits of natural fibres, and other relevant initiatives linked to textiles.
- If necessary, develop the internal advocacy strategy for organic textiles as of 2026, together with the policy manager
- Liaise and network with relevant partners, NGOs, other stakeholders, as well as policymakers.
- Prepare, attend, take minutes, and follow up on relevant meetings and events.
- Implement project reporting and monitoring of activities.
- Organise conferences and external events, if required.
Occasional and temporary tasks:
The job holder may be required to carry out other tasks, lying within the nature of the work of IFOAM Organics Europe and the position, including supporting work on the organic regulation.
ERASMUS+ TRAINEESHIP
IFOAM Organics Europe is currently looking for 3 Erasmus+ trainees. The deadline for application is 21 April. Interviews with selected candidates will take place from 22 April to 2 May. Find more information about the Erasmus + traineeship below.
We only consider applications using the application form.
This year, there are three placements available within different units at IFOAM Organics Europe, starting on 12 May. The duration will be 6 months, and you are expected to commit to the project for 35 hours per week (7hours a day) from Monday to Friday. The weekend is free, and you will be entitled to two days of holidays per month worked and days off during Belgian public holidays when the office is closed. Flexible conditions are applied for homeworking. At the time of the publication of the call, each person is allowed to work from the office at least 2 times/week.
You will be assigned to a specific unit for the duration of your stay, however there is the possibility to be involved in some tasks from other units if agreed with supervisors. This will allow you to learn about a wider range of IFOAM Organics Europe’s work.
Three placements will take place under the Erasmus+ Traineeship program:
• Traineeship in ‘Research and Innovation’ Unit
• Traineeship in ‘Events and Membership’ Unit
• Traineeship in the ‘Communication’ Unit
Depending on which position you apply for, different requirements and procedures need to be followed that will be explained in the following sections. Relevant experience for your placement is welcome but not needed if you are willing to learn.
IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes trainees from all backgrounds regardless of gender, cultural, ethnic background, or religion. We open our doors to open-minded and strongly motivated young individuals. As our organisation is an umbrella organisation, we enjoy welcoming trainees from diverse cultures as it helps to enrich our community and understand the challenges and opportunities for organic on a wider scale.
Are you eager to be one of our next Erasmus+ trainees? Apply by 21 April, 11:59 PM CEST, through the application form below.
Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews, which are expected to take place between 22/04 and 2/05. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified at the end of the recruitment process.
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Did you not find what you were looking for on this page? Contact projects@organicseurope.bio
“I can truly say that my time at IFOAM Organics Europe helped me develop excellent organisational skills and gain experience in managing and planning a large event, such as the Organics Europe Youth Event. The IFOAM Organics Europe team is very welcoming and supportive, and they are dedicated to helping young professionals grow. Additionally, Brussels is a vibrant city with numerous events to participate in after work!’
“During my time at IFOAM Organics Europe, I developed very useful professional skills in a welcoming environment. More specifically, I learned more about EU food policy, organic agriculture, and the functioning of EU institutions while developing fundraising skills. On a personal level, I met inspiring people, created long-lasting friendships, and explored the amazing city of Brussels!”
“Being at IFOAM Organics Europe has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life, both on a professional and personal level. Working in the policy unit, I acknowledged the importance of IFOAM OE in the development of European and national policies and, above all, the fundamental role of organic farming for the sustainability of the agri-food system. The multicultural working environment and the stay in Brussels also gave me the opportunity to get to know other cultures, and to feel part of one big community: the European one. In addition to having acquired new competences and working skills, one of the most stimulating and satisfying aspects of this project has been the awareness of contributing with one’s own work to a better future from an environmental, ethical and social point of view.”
“You’d like to do something practical, with a visible impact, and to get to know the heart of Europe, policy making and lobbying work, the organic movement, like-minded people, new languages and cultures, including the broad diversity of Belgian beer, and – not least – yourself better? Volunteering at IFOAM Organics Europe offers you all that – and much more. It’s a rich experience that allows you to participate in making food and farming in Europe more sustainable, and to gain practical experiences and skills in the European organic sector – from advocacy for organic research, innovation and practice to new communication tools and a hands-on farm stay. For me, it was the first time that I was living abroad for so long – a big step that my colleagues and EVS network made a lot easier. I can only encourage you to do it, and to make the most of it. It’s a unique opportunity to grow, gain new perspectives and friends and get to know yourself and your capabilities and interests better. Not only did I feel very welcome in the multicultural and multilingual EU capital where almost everyone comes from somewhere else, but I could also profit from the numerous events the vibrant city has to offer year-round. Ultimately, my EVS made me more political, active and empathetic – in other words, fit for the challenges of the future.”
“I did not know much about IFOAM Organics Europe when I saw the ESC vacancy, but I shared its values of protecting biodiversity, caring for nature and fairness in the food production processes. During my volunteering I learned a lot about the organic sector and, being based in Brussels, I gained a better understanding of European Union’s institutions and importance of advocacy work.”
“Volunteering at IFOAM Organics Europe is an excellent opportunity to gain more in-depth understanding of the organic sector and the impact of EU legislation. Working in the communication team has taught me the importance and power of the messages we share to make Europe more organic. Beside the knowledge I gain, the vibrant city of Brussels is full of inspiring, smart and interesting people who enrich and refine my experience even more.”