Benefits of working at IFOAM Organics Europe
VACANCIES
There are currently no vacancies. Check this page regularly and follow us on social media to be informed when new positions are open.
We publish our vacancies on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram.
We aim at hiring a versatile and highly organised personal & office assistant to perform administrative duties for senior management and the office. In this role, you will be responsible for scheduling meetings, taking notes, making travel arrangements and coordinating internal HR processes.
To ensure success as a personal and office assistant, you should exhibit excellent organisational skills and demonstrable experience in a secretarial role. Accomplished personal assistants are intuitive to the needs of director and work autonomously to provide customised administrative support.
Responsibilities
PA (50%)
- Typing, formatting, and editing reports, documents, and presentations
- Entering data, maintaining databases, and keeping records
- Liaising with internal units, answering calls, emails, and making travel arrangements including flights, accommodation, and ground transportation
- Managing internal and external correspondence on behalf of the director.
- Managing time-keeping records of the director
- Draft internal procedures and coordinate internal processes on behalf of the director
- Scheduling appointments, maintaining an events calendar, and sending reminders
- Coordinate events and speaking engagements
- Copying, scanning, and taking accurate and comprehensive notes at meetings
- Preparing facilities for scheduled events and arranging refreshments, if required
- Observing best business practices and etiquette
- Run errands as requested
Office administration (50%)
- Directing internal and external calls, emails, and post mail to designated units
- Monitoring office supplies and equipment and order replacements (stationary, coffee, tea, etc.)
- Being the person of contact for the service providers (phone, cleaning services, building, handyman, etc.)
- Participating in improving office environment (plants, more environmentally friendly)
- Ensuring the office is clean, and the employees respect the office rules (kitchen, sanitary)
- Scheduling and organising documents for staff weekly, monthly, and quarterly meetings
- Being a responsible person for security and prevention in the office (e.g. fire prevention)
- Being the person of contact for the IT Consultant
- Liaising with staff members regarding hardware (problems encountered, requests for equipment, etc.,)
- Monitoring IT equipment (list of equipment, storage, depreciation list)
- Preparing workstations for new staff
- Following up with the softphone system (user access and account)
- Supporting staff members with workstation equipment
More details can be found in the vacancy description, available below.
The Research & Innovation Unit of IFOAM Organics Europe promotes knowledge exchange and engages organic actors in participatory research to help develop the sector. The unit has ample experience in translating research outcomes into recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. The work is financed by projects of the Horizon framework programme of the EU. The Research & Innovation Manager is responsible for the supervision of the staff in the unit and acquisition of new projects.
Responsibilities
Management (70%)
- Supervise staff, give input and support them in the implementation of their respective projects. For a complete overview of the projects currently implemented by the Research & Innovation Unit, consult our website: https://www.organicseurope.bio/what-we-do/research-innovation/knowledge-for-organic/
- Depending on the role of IFOAM Organics Europe in the project, and your own interest, implement certain project tasks yourself
- Control quality of work and reports delivered by staff
- Plan use of resources (staff costs and purchase costs) in the projects
- Control quality of financial reports prepared by the financial consultant
- Stimulate team spirit, promote collaboration within the unit and with other units of the organisation
- Appraise staff, assess needs and expectations for development and training
- Participate in the Management Committee, support the overall development of IFOAM Organics Europe
- Participate in the management of TP Organics, the European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming, see www.tporganics.eu
Project acquisition (30%)
- Develop and implement a coherent strategy for project acquisition
- Ensure financial stability of the R&I Unit
- Stay up to date about trends and developments in the organic and wider agriculture sector. Integrate these trends in the project acquisition strategy
- Coordinate new project applications led by IFOAM Organics Europe
- Explore opportunities for joining project applications coordinated by other organisations
- Negotiate budget and tasks in new project applications
Requirements
Essential
- Master’s degree in agronomy, or other natural sciences;
- Effective communication in English, both verbal and written
- Experience in management of R&I projects (5 years), preferably Horizon projects
- Experience in management of staff (at least 3 people)
- Knowledge about organic farming and the organic sector
- Knowledge of the EU’s food and agriculture policies
- Possession of a work permit valid for Belgium
More details can be found in the vacancy description, available below.
VOLUNTEER VIA THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS (ESC) & ERASMUS+
Sorry, there are no open positions for ESC volunteers or Erasmus+ trainees. We generally publish a new call for volunteers every year in spring. However, it happens that we have additional vacancies throughout the year. Stay tuned for future opportunities by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram.
The Erasmus+ trainee position is open in:
- Policy Team
Further information on the tasks foe the Erasmus + trainee can be found in the Guide for candidates. Please, read it before applying.
This traineeship is open to students and recent graduates registered in a higher education institution that takes part in the Erasmus+ program. To be eligible for this traineeship you need to have successfully applied for a grant at your higher education Institution through the international or Erasmus+ office. More info about the program can be found on the Erasmus+ website.
Financial support is provided to cover living costs, including:
- Accommodation in a shared apartment
- Brussels public transport monthly pass
- Reimbursement of travel expenses from/to your home country
- Full insurance coverage (mandatory European Health Insurance Card + Henner)
Are you eager to be one of our next volunteers or Erasmus+ trainee? Apply by 14 July, 11:59 PM CEST, through the application form below.
Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews, ideally scheduled in the last week of July. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified at the end of the recruitment process.
Help us spread the word by sharing our posts on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram if you know someone who would be interested in these exciting opportunities.
Are you excited about exploring the realm of organic food and farming? Do you wish to understand the decision-making processes of the European Union and the operations of a non-profit organisation? Would you like to volunteer your time for a Brussels-based NGO that promotes a greener Europe? This is a chance for you to have a financed opportunity in Brussels and develop professional skills in green advocacy work.
European Solidarity Corps
The 4 European Solidarity Corps positions are open in the following units:
- Research & Innovation unit
- Projects & Partnership unit
- Communication Unit
- Events & Membership unit
Detailed information about your tasks and skills can be found in the Guide for candidates. Please, read it before applying.
To qualify, you need to be between 18 and 30 years old, legally reside in a European country other than Belgium, and have never been an ESC volunteer before.
Financial support is provided to cover living costs, including:
- Accommodation in a shared apartment
- Brussels public transport monthly pass
- Reimbursement of travel expenses from/to your home country
- Full insurance coverage (mandatory European Health Insurance Card + Henner)
- Reimbursement for food and living expenses, up to 550 Euros/month.
Successful candidates will receive comprehensive training at the beginning and throughout their placement, gaining valuable experience working with our teams. As part of the practical experience, volunteers will have the unique opportunity to organize a stay on an organic farm of their choice in Belgium for one or two weeks.
If you are eager to be one of our next volunteers, apply by 14 July, 11:59 PM CEST, through the application form below. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews, ideally scheduled in the last week of July. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified at the end of the recruitment process.
Did you not find what you were looking for on this page? Contact [email protected]
“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.”
“Volunteering at IFOAM Organics Europe is a truly rewarding experience, both on a professional and personal level. Get to know this vibrant city of Brussels, meet inspiring people, drink beers (a lot!), learn more about organic agriculture and EU legislation and develop a wide range of skills! Knowledge and friendships are awaiting!”
“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.”
