Director, EU Agriculture Program (Belgium, Germany or Netherlands)

Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDFE) is an affiliate of Environmental Defense Fund, a leading international non-profit organization that creates transformative solutions to the most serious environmental problems. With programs from Boston to Beijing, Environmental Defense Fund has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, economics, market-based approaches, and innovative private-sector partnerships. This position is part of our growing presence in Europe.

By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.

We envision a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.

The role:

Between 2005 and 2019, agricultural emissions in the EU remained stable. Based on national projections, only a modest EU-level decline of 2% is expected by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. If currently planned additional measures are implemented, a 5% reduction is expected. These projected declines would be insufficient to meet most Member States’ binding annual targets, highlighting the need for further action if the EU is to meet its goal of climate neutrality by 2050.[1] It is for that reason that EDFE has started work on reducing agriculture emissions in the EU. Other new work is planned on carbon farming.

EU is to meet its goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

In this varied position you will have a central role leading our advocacy work on agriculture in the EU and helping to raise ambitions both at EU and member state level. You will oversee economic and policy analysis to underpin this goal. You will also work with industry partners to help raise their ambitions and to inform their climate strategies. You will also be working together closely with the global multidisciplinary EDF agriculture team to address these challenges and find solutions appropriate to the EDF anchor regions.

We’re looking for experienced candidates who have (1) a deep understanding of how best to influence the EU’s legislative and policy making processes and promote practical implementation of solutions; and (2) a sound knowledge of the EU’s ambitions for agriculture under the Green Deal.

You will report to the AVP European Strategy & Engagement in London, liaising closely with colleagues in Europe, the United States and in other overseas offices.

[1] Source - https://www.eea.europa.eu/ims/greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-agriculture.

Key Responsibilities - You will:

• Manage our agriculture methane work in Europe. As part of this you will:
  • Scope and manage the program of work for the next 2 years;
  • Be an advocate for our position on reducing agriculture emissions in Europe;
  • Work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, economists, and communication colleagues;
  • Commission and oversee strategic economic and policy analysis;
  • Build and leverage internal and external networks and connect with key stakeholders in European Institutions, EU member state governments, agriculture industry and partner NGOs to advance the objectives of our agriculture methane work.
• Support fundraising efforts to raise new resources for this program of work and the wider climate smart agriculture agenda;
• Keep abreast of EDF’s wider strategic goals and programmatic work;
• Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Skills & Experience - You are:

• Educated to master level, or equivalent professional experience;
• Are highly experienced at influencing EU legislative and policy approaches in the Brussels hub;
• Have experience of working on aspects of EU agricultural policy and engaging with relevant stakeholders including the farmers, industry, NGOs, think tanks or the EU institutions; knowledge of and/or an interest in wider environmental policy, the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), economics and sustainable finance is also desirable;
• Experienced at developing the strategy for a project or advocacy campaign, identifying relevant funding and establishing work plans. You are focused on getting buy-in from the wider team for your proposals;
• Are a strong written and oral communicator. You are confident at doing formal presentations before senior internal staff and critical outside stakeholders. You apply your communication skills to persuade, influence or lead others;
• A strong networker. You will build on your existing network at the EU level and in specific Member States to identify and develop relationships with a variety of stakeholders in and outside the agriculture sector. You will identify and develop relationships with potential project collaborators;
• An excellent analyst and problem solver, and you are confident at developing proposals using evidence. You are experienced at making professional, scientific or technical judgments;
• Fluent in English and have a good command of at least one other European language;
• You demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Eligibility:

We prefer candidates based in Belgium but invite applications from candidates based in Germany or The Netherlands, with the understanding that regular presence in Brussels is expected. We support hybrid working. You must be eligible to live and work in the EU when applying.

Hiring Range:

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization.

The pay range for this role is 96,000 - 110,000 EUR which takes into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.