Job description – Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer

Reporting to: Programme Lead, Health and Chemicals

Purpose of the role: As a member of the Health and Chemicals team, the Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer develops and implements effective advocacy strategies to promote HEAL’s health-protective policy recommendations, with the support of the Advocacy and Campaigns Officer. They monitor EU chemical policy files, scientific studies and research on topics that are relevant to HEAL’s regulatory priorities, identify strategic opportunities and advise the Programme Lead on the development of science-based policy positions. They also contribute to capacity-building and health engagement efforts with HEAL members and other health actors.

Salary range: C

Key duties:

Advocacy and external representation

• Work with the Programme Lead to develop advocacy and campaigns strategies to promote and secure HEAL’s health and chemicals priorities, including by reaching out to key decision makers and stakeholders, in particular at EU levels, in collaboration with HEAL members and partners
• Lead the implementation of the advocacy and campaign strategy with support from the Health and Chemicals team
• Draft position papers, articles, letters, reports and other materials on Health and Chemicals topics
• Build and maintain relationships with key officials and stakeholders, setting up and attending external meetings, collecting intelligence, and building alliances relevant to the different policy areas
• Represent HEAL in events and take up speaking engagements in order to disseminate HEAL’s policy positions in different settings, as required
  Policy monitoring and technical support
• Provide support to the Programme Lead, Health and Chemicals in analysis, research and scoping on EU chemicals policy files and identify strategic opportunities
• Provide technical input into the regulatory processes of chemicals to secure/promote HEAL positions, in areas such as the implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, REACH, including responses to public consultations in the context of proposals for chemicals’ hazard identifications and restrictions. This will include meetings organised by ECHA or other agencies, the European Commission, or for stakeholders and national competent authorities
• Monitor studies and research on chemicals and health as relevant in relation to HEAL’s regulatory priorities
• Develop policy briefs, communication and stakeholder engagement tools, and science policy news in close collaboration with the Health and Chemicals team as well as with HEAL members, scientific network, and partner organisations

Health engagement and capacity-building

• Contribute to HEAL’s engagement of existing (and new) member organisations on chemicals’ priorities, facilitate their interactions and cooperation on such priorities
• Contribute to the capacity-building of HEAL members through webinars and other opportunities
• Support the organisation’s strategic engagement of health constituencies (reaching out to new health partners and strengthening existing cooperations, including at national level)

Organisational development

• Contribute to HEAL chemicals programme reporting obligations to funders and development
• Participate in HEAL Annual General Assembly, HEAL relevant internal working groups
• Undertake any other relevant duties and projects delegated by the Programme Lead in line with the responsibilities of the post

Person specification

Required skills, knowledge and experience

• Master’s degree in European public policy, political science, public health, public affairs or related subjects, or comparable professional experience
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience, including:
  o Working on policy and advocacy at EU level, in an advocacy or campaigning civil society organisation
  o Research and analysis for advocacy purposes, such as writing briefings or reports on health and environmental issues, ideally on chemical pollution and its impacts on health
  o Making complex topics accessible and relevant to policy audiences, including writing succinct and well-structured summaries, articles, and briefings
• Excellent, persuasive oral and written communication skills in English
• Good understanding of EU policy-making processes and interest in politics and policy-making
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including tactful but effective facilitation to develop consensus and agree joint coalition objectives, strategies and implementation plans
• Sharp analytic and strategic policy skills, including an ability to analyse political developments, develop strategic advocacy positions, and implement them using a variety of civil society tactics
• Strong planning and organisational skills, particularly the ability to plan and execute policy analysis, research and advocacy strategies
• Ability to prioritise, use own initiative and work independently
• Commitment to HEAL’s values and mission

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• Tertiary qualification in chemistry, toxicology or epidemiology
• Experience in pesticides and/or chemicals policy
• Knowledge of additional European languages