EU Policy Advisor (m/f/d)

at  ZOE Institut for FutureFit Ecoomies gUG

WHO WE ARE

ZOE, the Institute for Future-Fit Economies, is an independent think & do tank based in Cologne founded in 2017. We are dedicated to policy-oriented research and evidence-driven advocacy for a future-fit economy. At the interface of politics, research, and civil society in the EU, we develop impulses for an economy that enables people to live well within planetary boundaries. We are a small team that values an appreciative atmosphere and good communication.

Further we offer:

• A motivating working environment in a small think & do tank that has made it to the top of EU politics in a short space of time
• A strategic, agile, value and purpose-oriented working style
• Flexibility of working time and place, supporting a healthy work-life-balance

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for people that share our core principles: value orientation, sustainability, agility, self-responsibility, and flat hierarchies. Your profile would include the following skills, background, and knowledge:

• Expertise in the EU policy-making process including internal decision-making processes, the policy and institutional cycle with particular focus on the Commission
• At least 3 years of professional experience in policy consulting, advocacy, as a policymaker or in comparable fields
• At least 2 years of experience of monitoring policy processes and mapping policy developments and timelines, or coordinating this process
• At least 1-2 years of experience coordinating within and across teams
• Strategic thinking capabilities to design projects, plans and strategies for impact
• Excellent relationship building and networking skills with people in the policy arena at all levels and existing contacts within the EU policy-making landscape
• Good communication and presentation skills (written and verbal) when explaining research results to a non-expert audience
• Capability to work on several projects in parallel and to work with ease also across projects
• Fluency in written and spoken English; also working capability in German and/or French is a big plus

In addition, some of the following competencies fit well into our team but are not a requirement: Master’s degree in economics, political economy, EU policy and governance or equivalent policymaking knowledge and skills acquired through other demonstrable means; and knowledge of participative and co-creative processes such as design thinking.

We are looking for a strategically minded colleague who can support our political work across all topics and teams. As part of a motivated and impact-driven team you will carry out a variety of tasks, including:

• Coordinate and manage stakeholder engagement: Map and manage relationships within our partner organizations and policy-makers networks strategically and coordinate across our teams.
• Coordination of policy engagement: coordinate across ZOE’s teams in implementing, adapting and aligning policy engagement strategies, ensuring a unified approach for effective implementation and impact.
• Policy engagement and relationship building: cultivate relationships with EU and Member State policymakers to advocate for our key priority areas.
• Policy process monitoring and coordination: monitor key policy process across the Commission, Parliament, Council, and Member States related to our key priority areas.
• Strategic planning and support across teams: offer strategic guidance, foresight planning, and advise to ZOE’s teams, ensuring alignment with our organizational objectives.

The specific set of priority tasks and responsibilities will be decided together based on the list above and the selected candidate’s specific background and skills.