The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Ltd (ICOS) is the central representative organisation for farmer controlled co-operative businesses in Ireland.  Our members play an important role in all aspects of the Irish Food Industry with combined sales of over 13 billion Euros in 2014.

A highly motivated, articulate European Affairs Officer is now required.  The person appointed will:

• Provide information on European policy and related issues to ICOS and our member co-operatives
• Contribute to policy development
• Represent the policies of ICOS and its member co-ops to European Institutions and other organisations
• Liaise with the members of ICOS on European matters
• Act as a link between ICOS (and our member co-ops) with European businesses and organisations

The person appointed will be based in Brussels and will be responsible for the Brussels office of ICOS.

You should:

• be a graduate in a relevant discipline
• have very good communication skills
• have a good knowledge of agriculture and public policy
• be competent in a second working language of the EU
• have knowledge and experience of the workings of EU institutions

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 10th May 2016 @ 17.00.

Applications can be made by email here… or by post to:

Seamus O’Donohoe

CEO

ICOS

The Plunkett House

84 Merrion Square

Dublin 2

 

Job Description

The role of the ICOS European Affairs Officer 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.