Engagement & External Relations Officer

at  European Food Safety Authority EFSA

EFSA/F/4/2024/04

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy
is looking for a

IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?

Are you a highly motivated professional with experience in stakeholders’ engagement? Do you have a previous experience in external relations and networking with scientific organizations?
EFSA is looking for an engagement & external relations officer with the ability to deliver high quality work and result driven mind.

WHAT ARE THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS?

You must satisfy the following requirements on the closing date for submission of your application:
I. Eligibility criteria

1. General requirements

• Be national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland or Norway;
• Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by laws concerning military service;
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post;[1]
• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another EU language;
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved.

1. Qualifications
   A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma.[2]
   In case you do not fulfil all the eligibility criteria, your application will not be taken into consideration.
   II. Selection criteria
   The following competencies will be assessed throughout the different phases of the selection procedure. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate effective communication in both spoken and written English as well as strong motivation for the position.
2. Technical competencies
   i. At least one (1) year of proven professional experience in coordinating networks, managing cooperation and/or engagement activities, in a complex multi-stakeholder and multi-cultural environment;
   ii. Proven experience in developing, implementing and measuring engagement and partnership strategies with stakeholders (e.g. institutional partner, civil society stakeholders such as NGOs, consumer groups, applicants and their associations, and citizens);
   iii. Experience in conveying complex concepts and making them understandable to the target audience by adapting the language and style of communication;
   iv. Proven experience in facilitating multi-disciplinary projects that involve various interest groups, either at national, European and/or international level, using digital platforms for facilitating stakeholder interactions.
3. Behavioural competencies
   i. Deal with ambiguity: Able to work constructively within unexpected and unpredictable situations and show resilience and composure, even in difficult or adverse circumstances; able to decide and act without having the total picture; accept constructive feedback in a positive manner;
   ii. Demonstrate political savvy and strategic agility: Look beyond the current situation and visualise what the future can bring with a keen sense for arising opportunities and good understanding of how and when to best pursue them; able to think in a creative and innovative way;
   iii. Focus on stakeholder needs: Committed to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and gain their trust and respect;
   iv. Plan and measure for results: Set ambitious goals that exceed the targets and create plans to achieve them; ensure an efficient and responsible planning and management of resources;
   v. Work with others: Work confidently within a group and contribute to achieve the common goals, understanding own role and how it supports the team and the organisation; able to cooperate, listen actively, manage conflicts and motivate colleagues.

• Design/implement effective participatory processes leveraging on innovative methods, tools and formats to ensure an open and transparent dialogue with stakeholders, to enhance EFSA’s reputation and to help build trust in the EU food safety system, in line with the provisions of the Transparency Regulation and the goals of the EFSA Strategy 2027.
• Define and implement strategies to develop cooperative relations and partnership opportunities with other EU Agencies, EU Member State competent authorities, international organizations, non-EU regulatory bodies, Pre-accession Programme for the (Potential) Candidate Countries, European Neighbourhood Programme (ENP) countries.
• Manage/coordinate institutional, stakeholder and scientific cooperation networks/communities in support of EFSA’s activities in science and risk communication.
• Coordinate and/or handle enquiries from EFSA’s institutional partners, stakeholders, applicants and/or citizens.
• Provide strategic advice on engagement activities, methods, tools, formats and approaches in relation to a particular issue, recommending effective wats to address sensitivities and to promote the understanding of EFSA’s work by stakeholders and the public.
• Identify issues that may impact EFSA’s reputation and make proposals to seize opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Draft briefings, annotated agendas, aide-mémoire and lines to take for stakeholder meetings, public and targeted events, institutional visits and other engagements initiatives.