ICOS is currently in the process of recruiting a European Affairs Executive, which will be based in Brussels, Belgium.

Job Description

The role of the ICOS European Affairs Executive consists of:

• Overall responsibility for ICOS Brussels office
• Link between ICOS Dublin and the European Institutions and COPA-COGECA and other stakeholder organisations
• Policy issues include CAP, Trade/WTO, Environment, Climate Change, Animal Health & Welfare, Competition, Budget (EU Financial Perspectives), Rural Development
• Follow and analyse European food regulatory policy and related issues for Dublin staff and member co-operatives
• Communicate European policy to colleagues and members through reports, drafting policy positions, presentations and newsletters
• Travel will be required as well as attending evening functions on behalf of ICOS
• Draft reports on Commission activity, writing press releases when necessary and follow up with press to ensure coverage
• Prepare policy positions through ICOS committees and communicate these positions to European institutions and other stakeholders in order to influence European policy
• Develop good working relationships with key Commission staff, Commissioner Cabinets, National Permanent Representations, and liaise on a regular basis with Irish MEPs and assistants
• Identify EU grant funding opportunities available to ICOS and member co-ops
• Explore opportunities for offering consultancy services to agencies and firms not in competition with ICOS
• Represent ICOS on COPA-COGECA working party meetings and European Commission advisory group meetings
• Be able to build stakeholder relationships at all levels from administrative to senior official level
• Good analytical skills are needed with the ability to identify relevant sources of information and distill key issues from them
• Need ability to communicate complex information to non-specialists both orally and in writing
• Need good interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people
• Deal with administration issues relating to the ICOS Brussels office

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to: info@icos.ie