JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
Senior Policy Advisor Sustainable Food Systems
JOB FAMILY
External Affairs
JOB NUMBER
200070
SALARY GRADE
9
STATUS
Salaried
DATE
June 2023
A LITTLE ABOUT US
Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Senior Policy Advisor Sustainable Food Systems develops, leads and implements one or more strategies to achieve the Conservancy’s goals through interaction with governments, multilateral agencies, and/or the corporate sector. The position is based in Brussels, with a pan-European remit, and will report to the Europe Director of Global Policy and Institutional Partnerships.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Senior Policy Advisor Sustainable Food Systems furthers the work of The Nature Conservancy and its conservation partners through direct interaction with governments, multilateral agencies, and/or businesses focusing on policy, practice, and funding initiatives that provide conservation opportunities and/or impact our conservation programs. This position is focused on policy relevant to agriculture, sustainable food systems and related financing mechanisms. This role focuses on the geographical scope of policymaking in the EU, the UK and Norway, with a global outlook, recognising that policies in Europe can and do influence the development of international policies and systems in other countries and regions. The role also covers financing and trade-related aspects of European policies that impact the development of sustainable food systems. The successful candidate would collaborate closely with our Head of Biodiversity Policy Europe, Head of Climate Policy Europe, Senior Policy Advisor Deforestation and Trade and Head of Public Partnerships Europe, as well as other colleagues driving forward our work on climate, biodiversity and sustainable financing policies.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Represents the Conservancy in discussions with EU institutions and national governments around sustainable food systems, seeking to inform key policy decisions in line with Conservancy priorities.
- Develops and implements a European wide strategy towards achieving effective sustainable food systems policies that contribute towards TNC’s 2030 Goals.
- Maps and analyses relevant European policies and stakeholders and coordinates with strategy colleagues in the global Provide team, policy and finance teams, as well as in key regions, to share information across our relevant networks and ensure joined-up ‘One Conservancy’ approaches to securing sustainable food systems policies.
- Represents the Conservancy in public events and media in Europe and beyond, laying out the Conservancy’s position on sustainable food systems policies in relation to the EU, UK and Norway.
- Works with diverse sets of stakeholders including civil society, research partners, industry associations and leading businesses in EU, UK and Norway to form and support coalitions to advance strategic priorities around sustainable food systems.
- Supports colleagues in fundraising efforts around sustainable food systems, as required, including leveraging funding from EU, UK and Norwegian institutions to Conservancy priorities over and above direct funding to the Conservancy.
- May supervise administrative and/or professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
- Responsible for meeting departmental strategic goals and objectives.
- Communicates professionally with a wide variety of people from different cultures.
- Prepares and presents project proposals and negotiates with federal, bilateral and multilateral agencies and/or the business and corporate sector, to achieve program goals.
- Accountable to persuasively convey the mission of The Nature Conservancy to diverse groups including key legislators, government officials and others who are critical to the Conservancy’s overall public funding strategies.
- Develops constructive and effective working relationships inside and outside the Conservancy.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, business or related field and 6 years of senior management level experience in policy advocacy, government relations or equivalent combination of education/experience.
- Fluency in English required; other language skills an advantage (see below).
- Direct experience in working on issues relevant to agriculture, relevant agriculture subsidies and/or financing schemes,
- Direct experience working with partners and government agencies relevant to agriculture, particularly EU institutions in Brussels.
- Direct experience working with European platforms and sectoral organizations relevant to agriculture and/or with links to sustainable food systems policy stakeholders.
- Demonstrated relationship building skills.
- Experience negotiating complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Proven written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated. Competence in one or more of the following languages is an advantage: French, German, Spanish, Portuguese.
- Master’s degree appreciated.
- Familiarity navigating and working across linkages between agriculture (including regenerative agriculture), relevant finance and trade sector policies.
- Experience and familiarity working with government departments in Europe countries (in particular Berlin, Paris, Oslo, London, The Hague and/or Rome).
- Good team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, partners and all levels of staff.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES
Builds Relationships
Builds productive relationships by interacting with others in ways that enhance mutual trust and commitment.
Collaboration & Teamwork
Works collaboratively with stakeholders across levels, geographies, backgrounds, and cultures to improve decisions, strengthen commitment, and be more effective.
Communicates Authentically
Communicates proactively and in a timely manner to share information, persuade, and influence with the appropriate level of detail, tone, and opportunities for feedback.
Develops
Others
Takes ownership to help develop others’ skills, behaviors, and mindsets to help them maximize their workplace contributions.
Drives for
Results
Sets challenging goals and objectives based on a strong sense of purpose and high-performance standards and steadfastly pushes self and others for tangible results, while ensuring work-life balance.
Leverages Difference
Demonstrates commitment to harnessing the power of differences strategically; consistently sees, learns from, and takes strategic action related to difference; and demonstrates the self-awareness and behaviors to work across differences of identity and power respectfully and effectively with all stakeholders. Actively seeks to build and retain a diverse workforce and fosters an equitable inclusive workplace by drawing upon diverse perspectives.
Systems
Leadership
Thinks and acts from a broad perspective with a long-term view and an understanding of 1) the dynamic nature of large-scale challenges and 2) the need for integrating five key practices: skillfully engaging appropriate people; providing a clear process for change; taking a holistic view of situations; focusing on a small number of strategic actions, while learning from and adapting them over time; and being aware of how one’s own thinking or patterns of behavior may be limiting change.
This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent contract
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Supplemental pay types:
- Vacation money
Work Location: In person
Application Deadline: 10/07/2023
