Forest Policy Officer (Dutch- and French-speaking)

WWF-Belgium is looking for aForest Policy Officerto lead its policy and advocacy work on forests, with a strong focus on reducing Belgium’s footprint on forests and ecosystems worldwide and supporting deforestation-free supply chains.

Deep dive into the role

You drive WWF-Belgium’s policy and advocacy onforest protection, sustainable management and restoration, with a current emphasis ondeforestation-free supply chainsand the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

• Develop and implement policy and advocacy strategies on forests and deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) supply chains.

• Co-develop the policy strategy for forests and DCF supply chains, defining priorities and intervention approaches.

• Analyse Belgian and EU legislation and international trends and identify where laws and policies need to be strengthened.

• Follow legislative processes and the implementation of EU forest-related laws at Belgian level, and monitor related policy files.

• Draft positions, briefings and other materials based on the latest science and expertise from the WWF network.

• Stay on top of research on sustainable supply chains, deforestation and key commodities (e.g. cocoa, soy, palm oil).

• Commission research to inform and influence policy and strengthen its uptake by decision-makers.

• Act as WWF-Belgium’s in-house expert on forests and DCF supply chains, responding to internal and external requests.

• Represent WWF-Belgium in coalitions, working groups and conferences and present WWF’s positions.

• Engage with politicians, public authorities, businesses, civil society, producer countries and other stakeholders, and build a strong professional network.

• Deliver on the project “Transition to deforestation-free supply chains in Belgium” funded by the Belgian Development Cooperation, including planning and budgeting, monitoring progress and contributing to reporting.

• Coordinate with the project team, including the Sustainable Supply Chains Officer and colleagues from Education & Youth.

Who will you collaborate with

• You’ll join thePolicy & Business Department, a team of experts engaging policymakers and businesses to protect and restore nature and reduce human impact on the planet.

• You’ll work closely with theProgramme Manager Forest(business engagement) and report to thePolicy & Business Director.

This is a good match for you if

• You have aMaster’s degree (or equivalent)in (political) sciences or another relevant field, andbetween 5 and 9years of experience in policy and political advocacy on a related topic. You understand how theBelgian political systemworks and how to influence it.

• Languages are key in this role: You arefluent in Dutch, you have a good working level inFrenchand you have full professional proficiency inEnglish.

• You are genuinely motivated byWWF’s mission and valuesand ideally bring knowledge of forest and forestry policies, as well as sustainability in global supply chains, especially in agri-food commodities (such as cocoa, soy, palm oil). Experience with policy implementation tools (e.g. litigation, investigations) and with media interviews or acting as a spokesperson is a plus.

• You communicate clearly and confidently and enjoy working in a team.

• You are comfortable engaging with many different stakeholders and building relationships.

• You think strategically and analytically, seeing the bigger picture and identifying risks and opportunities.

• You have excellent redaction skills (briefings, articles, reports…).

• You stay calm under pressure and can handle tight deadlines.

• You work proactively and autonomously, managing your own workload.

• You know how to prioritise and adapt in a fast-moving context.

Ready to join us in our mission? Here is what’s in it for YOU

• Afull-time, permanentcontract

• An attractive salary packagefor the sector including meal vouchers, group insurance, health insurance, 100% reimbursement of the costs of public transport, homeworking allowance,...

• A flexible working environment: eitherf  rom home with all the ad hoc IT equipment, or in our pleasant officein the heart of Brussels, easily accessible by public transport

• Our policies and benefits reflect the importance of people being able tohave a good work-life balance and being able to bring their ‘full self’ to work

• The opportunity tocontribute to the mission of WWFand toshare our valuesthat will be embedded in your work and behaviours.

Over ons

WWF believes in a future where people and nature thrive, so we are committed to safeguarding the natural world. WWF has teams of experts working in over 100 countries to protect the natural resources that sustain and inspire us: our forests, rivers, oceans, climate, food, and wildlife. WWF harnesses the collective power of supporters around the world, communities, companies, and governments to create real solutions for people and the planet.

We are looking for knowledgeable, talented people who arepassionate about engaging and inspiring others. People who share ouroptimismthat it is possible to change the world. People who aredetermined to make a difference.

If you consider joining our team, we invite you to imagine a workplace where people come first - wherecollaboration is built on trust and the pursuit of fulfillment. At WWF, we believe that when weempower each otherto be ourauthentic selves, we unlock the potential for incredibleprogress and impact. So, if you're looking for acommunitythat values yourunique strengthsand encourages you to bring your best self to the table, look no further than thePanda Team.