Rethink Plastic alliance

Coordinator

Based in Brussels

The Rethink Plastic alliance coordinator coordinates the alliance‘s work and supports synergies between advocacy work at the EU level and at the national level.
About the Rethink Plastic alliance 

Rethink Plastic is an alliance of leading European NGOs working towards ambitious EU policies on plastics, it is the EU policy arm of the Break Free From Plastic movement. It brings together Carbon Market Watch, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), ClientEarth, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), Greenpeace, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Foundation Europe, and Zero Waste Europe. 

To know more please visit https://rethinkplasticalliance.eu/ 

Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) is a global movement envisioning a future free from plastic pollution. Since its launch in September 2016, 2800 organisations from all over the world have joined the movement to demand massive reductions in single-use plastics and to push for lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. Zero Waste Europe hosts the coordination of the European chapter of the movement. 

To know more please visit: https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/ 

About you 

You are a creative, passionate, organised person, as well as experienced in advocacy and campaigning. You know how to navigate the EU policy-making systems, design and implement advocacy strategies and explain complex issues to different audiences. You are very good at anticipating challenges, jumping on opportunities, and quickly finding creative solutions. You excel at personal relations and enjoy teamwork; are capable of running different tasks simultaneously; and like working in an agile international environment. You have experience working with EU institutions and in NGO coalition settings. You are passionate about environmental and social justice, with a particular interest in plastic.

About the role 

The Rethink Plastic alliance coordinator coordinates the alliance‘s work and supports synergies between advocacy work at the EU level and at the national level.

1. Coordinate the implementation of the work of the Rethink Plastic alliance:

  • Overview and coordinate the advocacy work of the alliance, which is led by the alliance organisations, and monitor the EU policy agenda relevant for plastics
  • Overview and coordinate publications of the alliance, including review publications and liaise with the alliance comms coordinator on external communications 
  • Convene the coalition meetings, as well organise and facilitate the strategy meetings of the coalition and turn the outcomes into a work programme 
  • Co-lead the annual evaluation and planning processes with each member organisation, with the BFFP Europe coordinator
  • Monitor and implement the Rethink Plastic budget, under the supervision of the BFFP Europe Operations and Grant Manager and BFFP Europe coordinator
  • Lead on the drafting of funding proposals and reports for the Rethink Plastic projects
  • Co-lead fundraising efforts for the Rethink Plastic project, with the BFFP Europe coordinator
  • Represent the alliance in meetings and events, as relevant where members of the alliance can not represent the alliance

2. Support the policy work of the members of the BFFP Europe movement 

  • Lead the organisation of an annual BFFP Europe week of action in Brussels 
  • Participate to the BFFP Europe policy task force
  • Draft a monthly update on EU policy developments for the movement
  • Support with creating tools that support policy information and experience sharing between BFFP members

3. Contribute to the BFFP Europe and Rethink Plastic coordination team

  • Manage the Rethink Plastic comms coordinator 
  • Attend team meetings, including weekly team check-ins
  • Contribute to the relevant BFFP Europe meetings, including the annual meeting, monthly catch-up calls and task force calls and webinars as relevant
  • Contribute to fostering cross-regional coordination within the BFFP movement
Person specification

Experience

Essential 

  • At least five years of experience developing and implementing advocacy strategies, at the national and/or EU level 
  • Experience in campaign coordination and/or project management 
  • Experience working in coalition or movement settings
  • Ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders including decision-makers, businesses, industry associations, local and national authorities and CSOs

Desirable 

  • Working knowledge of plastics policy in the EU;
  • Experience with complex organisational structures;
  • Experience with movement-building 

Knowledge, skills and understanding 

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, and the ability to communicate complicated messages clearly and appropriately to different audiences
  • Strategic thinking, with the  ability to leverage opportunities and synergies
  • Strong networking and team building skills appropriate for a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
  • Fluency in English

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the EU decarbonisation and circular economy agenda, as well as the Just Transition agenda
  • Knowledge of the main actors of the packaging sector
  • Solid IT competences with collaborative tools (e.g. Google Drive, Slack, Asana).
  • Passion for social and environmental justice
  • Ability to speak or write in other languages than English

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Great interpersonal skills and team player
  • Excellent listener and communicator
  • Impact driven, solution oriented, and resilient
  • Commitment to accuracy, attention to detail and a high standard of work
  • Organised and able to prioritise 
  • Willingness to work with flexible schedule, and to travel, as required
Location, Compensation and Work Environment 

This is a full-time position with a Belgian contract. We offer flexibility in terms of partially working from home, but candidates are expected to be able to commute to the Brussels office on a regular basis and when the job requires (this will be in agreement with your Line Manager). A valid working permit for Belgium is required.The initial contract will be for one year, with the possibility to be extended to a permanent one.

We offer a competitive gross salary in the range of €3500 - €4100/month, which is fully calculated according to your transferable years of experience, the requirements of the current job offer, and our internal salary policy. 

In addition to this, we offer benefits such as lunch vouchers; a 13th month proportional to your time worked during the year; 20 vacation days plus 4-10 extra-legal holidays; and travel insurance. 

We take pride in our ability to support one another's work in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect; and look forward to introducing the successful candidate to our welcoming and highly motivated team and network members.

Starting date: April - May 2023

Equal Employment opportunity 

At Rethink Plastic and BFFP Europe, we understand that not all individuals have the same opportunities to engage in paid work or studies both within and outside of the movement. We highly value passion and experience in addressing plastic pollution, environmental, social, health and human rights justice. We are open to receiving applications from those who may not fulfil all the required skills but have the interest, passion and lived experiences to fulfil the role. In this respect, we encourage people from a diverse intersection of backgrounds to apply. 

How to apply

Please follow this link where you will be asked to fill in your basic information and send your CV and motivation letter with references (all in one document). All these materials should be provided in English. 

If you have any questions, please contact Justine Maillot at  justine@rethinkplasticalliance.eu by email stating in the subject line Coordinator of the Rethink Plastic alliance. Please note that applications via email will not be accepted - only through the application form provided through the link above. Thank you. 

Deadline for application: 28 February 2023

First round interviews to take place on the 6th and 7th of March 2023, online

Selected candidates will be requested to carry out an assignment (1h30 max) before the final round. 

Final round of interviews to be held on the 15th and 16th of March 2023, in person in Brussels.

 

Due to the high number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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