Programme Manager for Peace, Security & Defence (full-time)
Do you want to work at the heart of European and global peace, security and defence policy discussions, keeping the pulse of developments and innovations in the field? Are you interested in running high-quality security simulation exercises with senior decision-makers and planning one of Europe’s most influential annual peace, security and defence summits? Are you eager to foster relationships with top officials and industry representatives to bring multistakeholder perspectives on key issues to the fore? Are you committed to ensuring diverse and inclusive representation on debate panels and in audiences? If so, you might be the right person to become Friends of Europe’s next Programme Manager for Peace, Security & Defence.
The purpose of this role is to reinforce Friends of Europe’s (FoE) Peace, Security & Defence programme, which helps to think through implications of a complex geopolitical environment as well as how to strengthen the partnerships that are vital to Europe's stability and security. FoE has established networks and partners in this domain, and this role will be key to taking its policy and programming impact to the next level. Delivering quality activities is key to FoE’s role as an opinion leader and partner of choice for organisations in both Brussels and beyond.
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?
As Peace, Security & Defence Programme Manager you will be responsible for:
- Overseeing all of FoE’s activities on peace, security & defence in coordination with a small programme area team, as well as with multiple teams across the organisation, including events management, communications and business development teams.
- Keeping abreast of policy developments in the domain of peace, security & defence across Europe and the world, and identifying opportunities to add value, innovate, and build opportunities to enhance FoE’s reputation.
- Developing, coordinating and delivering multiple projects – including a yearly programme of events, working groups, surveys, policy briefings and analyses with the support of the programme area Director and Head of Programme Performance and Operations.
- Proactively developing Friends of Europe’s emerging work on peace, security & defence, including by seeking and identifying opportunities to build partnerships and engage in outreach.
- Ensuring effective monitoring and gathering of contents and data which can capture and communicate impact.
- Championing this programme by involving and maintaining effective communication with peers, stakeholders and the wider business community to ensure engagement, support and delivery of programme outcomes – including by consistently working horizontally within the organisation to identify commonalities and opportunities for cross-working.
- Ensuring that all activities undertaken within the framework of this programme are designed with the aim of developing a new social contract for Europe, and are aligned with FoE’s strategic objectives of: promoting new leadership, regenerating democracy, challenging inequalities of opportunity, bolstering a green transformation and reframing Europe’s role in the world.
- Gaining a good understanding of any given topic/issue related to the current European Commission and NATO work programmes and their strategic plans as well as to their ecosystem of stakeholders.
- Event programme management including identification and invitation of speakers and participants, scenario/running order, briefing speakers and rapporteur, follow-up, and so on.
- Effective liaison with key partners and relationship management including identifying and supporting business development opportunities.
- Performing any additional responsibilities and tasks commensurate with this position as required by the organisation.
WHAT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED TO HAVE?
Education, experience & knowledge
- 3-5 years’ experience in policy analysis, including in project management, ideally in complex projects with a multitude of stakeholders.
- Relevant university degree in relation to peace, security & defence.
- A good understanding of the political environment in Europe today and of NATO and the EU institutions.
- An interest in working for a think tank and commitment to the work of the non-profit and civil society sector.
- Event management experience combined with good analytical skills.
Competencies & skills
- Fluency in spoken and written English; other languages are an asset
- Excellent writing, editing and communication skills and ability to make complex topics accessible and relevant to different audiences
- Excellent organisational skills as well as the ability to prioritise and work independently
- Team player with good interpersonal skills for working in a small, multi-cultural team
- A highly motivated, creative and enthusiastic personality
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
WHO CAN APPLY?
All candidates with a valid work permit in Belgium.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Friends of Europe is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants, by providing equal treatment of all job applications received, independently of applicants’ ethnic origins, gender, sexual orientation, disability or chronic illness. We especially encourage applications from those who have been historically excluded or not had fair and equal opportunities to apply.
HOW DO YOU APPLY?
To apply, please upload your CV and a cover letter – each no more than 1 page –on our website in the CV WAREHOUSE System.
The closing date for applications is 25 March at midnight CET.
