Role Description

Reporting directly to the Secretary General, the Institutional Relations & Advocacy Coordinator will play a central role in coordinating and implementing the AER’s advocacy strategy, in collaboration with the AER’s members. The holder of this position will develop and maintain strong relationships with institutional stakeholders to maximise influence and deliver strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement AER’s advocacy strategy to promote regional interests and influence European and international institutions;
• Coordinate and facilitate the work of Bureau Task Forces;
• Support AER’s involvement in European and global policy debates and processes and influence policymakers on key areas for local and regional authorities;
• Promote AER’s advocacy messages across coalitions and networks at European and global levels;
• Coordinate and prepare policy and advocacy materials, including briefings, speeches, position papers and submissions to institutional stakeholders across several policy areas, such as cohesion policy, employment, social affairs, inclusion, democracy, innovation, climate, environment, and energy;
• Plan and organise policy and advocacy meetings;
• Support the development and implementation of advocacy activities within approved projects;
• Contribute to general secretariat work.

Person Specification

• University degree in a subject related to AER work (e.g. Political Science, European Studies, International Relations, Economics, or other courses related to this profile)
• 5 years of experience in development and delivery of advocacy strategies and/or in institutional relations
• Knowledge and experience of working with institutional stakeholders or influencing key decision-makers, preferably in the context of local and regional authorities or on the European level
• Understanding of regional development challenges and multilevel governance
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to develop policy positions and write high-quality policy and advocacy materials
• Fluency in English
• Legal right to work in Belgium

Key Information

Contract: Full-time – 38h/week

Length of Contract: 6 months, renewable

Location: Brussels

Salary: €3.300-€3.900 (dependent on experience)

Other benefits: meal vouchers; teleworking allowance; allowance for commuting; hospitalisation insurance; 14 extra holidays next to the legal holiday rights

How to Apply

To apply for this vacancy, please send a cover letter (one page) along with your CV in English to: recruitment@aer.eu (“AER Institutional Relations and Advocacy Coordinator” as the subject line)

Deadline for application: 26 August 2024 – 23h59 CET

Interviews (indicative days): 2-6 September 2024

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.