EU Affairs Officer

Background

The European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) is a non-profit umbrella organisation based in Brussels that represents the voice of people with cancer in Europe and beyond. With 450 members in 50 countries, its vision is for a Europe of equality, where all Europeans with cancer have timely and affordable access to the best treatment and care available. ECPC works towards this vision by influencing the European political agenda, empowering and educating its members, and increasing the role of patients in cancer research.

For more information, please check www.ecpc.org

The Position

We are recruiting an EU Affairs Officer to support the organisation’s work in the field of EU health policy. The EU Affairs Officer will work closely with the Senior EU Affairs Manager on the policy and advocacy activities in line with the ECPC vision and mission towards achieving the goals set out in the Action Plan. The position requires good understanding of healthcare matters and the EU health systems, European legislative processes and politics, experience in patient advocacy, sound capacity for analysis, communication, project management, and interpersonal skills.

Key areas of responsibility

Policy and advocacy

  • Assist and closely collaborate with the Sr EU Affairs Manager to implement policy and advocacy work in line with the ECPC strategy and Annual Action Plans;
  • Proactively follow the developments in cancer policy and research environment; analyse and propose strategic recommendations in the field of health policy and oportunities for ECPC engagement; inform accordingly the Senior EU Affairs Manager, the Director and the Board;
  • Assist the Senior EU Affairs Manager, the Director and the Board in the concept, drafting, design, and implemention of the policy and advocacy annual work plans;
  • Advocate for patients’ rights within EU Institutions and at national level; develop policy strategies, campaigns and call to actions targeting relevant stakeholders to ensure that the cancer patient’s perspective is well-cosidered within the EU policy landscape;
  • Support the Director and Board in preparing for external meetings, interviews and interventions in high-level events;
  • Assist the Sr EU Affairs Manager in developing & maintaining professional relations with external stakeholders (EU Institutions representatives, NGOs, industry, medical societies, academia, health/oncology media) and the ECPC members
  • Keeping a database of contacts you have met in various projects, events, and share trimestrially such updated DB with the Director and the President
  • Work closely with the ECPC communications team to ensure good information exchange, timely and effective communication in reacting to external policy developments for strong policy impact;
  • Represent ECPC in external meetings and conferences and contribute with content and political intelligence to relevant policy groups and multi-stakeholder networks.

Project management

  • Contribute to ECPC’s project activities and development by exploring opportunities in close collaboration with the Senior EU Affairs Manager and the Health and Research Projects team
  • Contribute to calls for project proposals, where policy analysis and input are needed and to specific project work, where appropriate;
  • Conceive, plan, budget and organise ECPC events, meetings, press conferences in collaboration with ECPC staff members, external stakeholders and EU institutions representatives.

Education, experience and competencies

Essential requirements

  • Master’s Level university degree desirable in Political Science, EU Affairs, Public Health, Medicine or another relevant field;
  • At least 5 years’ experience in policy and advocacy work at European level with demonstrable in-depth knowledge of EU health policy, in particular the legislative and regulatory environment of cancer drugs and oncology systems and settings
  • Ability to meet tight deadlines, handle multiple tasks, plan workload and estimate timelines accurately;
  • Proven ability in establishing good professional relations with EU health policy stakeholders (EU Institutions, industry, other NGOs, academia)
  • Experience in developping and running advocacy campaigns, budget and project management
  • Working experience of the functioning of the European Union and its Institutions;
  • Native level proficiency in written and spoken English, other languages are an asset;
  • Excellent communications and oral presentation skills;
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Office 365 suite
  • Proactiveness, collegiality, readiness to offer a helping hand in various tasks, social and mature personality;
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced team within an international and multilingual environment
  • Willingness and availability to work long hours, whenever necessary, to undertake business travel at short notice and assist in all activities of a busy small office
  • Devoted to the core values of ECPC.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of EU health systems and/or cancer patient advocacy at national level;
  • Working knowledge of EU health and oncology stakeholders and settings;
  • Experience in EU public affairs and working with the relevant EU Institutions and Agencies
  • Experience of working in a non-profit, non-governmental organisation;
  • Experience of contributiing to and managing EU-funded projects;
  • Working knowledge of other EU languages in addition to English, particularly French;

We offer

  • This is a full-time position (38 hours per week), based in the center of Brussels;
  • Benefits include: group insurance, hospitalisation insurance, meal vouchers, eco-vouchers, mobile telephone, laptop, end of year gift, expense allowance
  • You will be part of a friendly, dynamic, and multi-cultural team in an international working environment;
  • You will represent the voice of cancer patients and contribute to high-level policy and advocacy work for a well-reknown health organisation.

Starting date: Immediate

How to apply

Interested candidates should send a CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) in English by EMAIL ONLY to personnel@ecpc.org not later than June 30, 2023.

The cover letter should have as Subject line: “Application for the position of EU Affairs Officer – your name” and should outline your suitability and motivation for the post, indicating also when you could start, if short-listed for interview.

It should explicitly reference how your profile matches the different job requirements described above. The position is for candidates already living and working in Brussels with an at least 3year employment record (internships are not considered). Please also include a photo with your application and the names and contact details of two people (ideally a current or former line manager or supervisor) who could provide a reference in case you are short-listed for interview.

We will assess the applications as we receive them. Should you be interested please do not wait till the last day, as we may have already filled the position.

Applications not meeting the requirements will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. CV and personal data of non-selected candidates are not shared with anyone outside ECPC.