Forest Policy Officer

Are you ready to be part of something great?

WWF-Belgium is looking for a Forest Policy Officer to 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 on forest protection, sustainable management and restoration, with a current emphasis on deforestation-free supply chains and 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 the Policy & 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 the Programme Manager Forest (business engagement) and report to the Policy & Business Director. 

This is a good match for you if

• You have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in (political) sciences or another relevant field, and at least 3 years of experience in policy and political advocacy on a related topic. You understand how the Belgian political system works and how to influence it.
• Languages are key in this role: You are fluent in Dutch, you have a good working level in French and you have full professional proficiency in English.
• You are genuinely motivated by WWF’s mission and values and 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

• A full-time, permanent contract 
• An attractive salary package for the sector including meal vouchers, group insurance, health insurance, 100% reimbursement of the costs of public transport, homeworking allowance,...
• A flexible working environment: either from home with all the ad hoc IT equipment, or in our pleasant office in the heart of Brussels, easily accessible by public transport
• Our policies and benefits reflect the importance of people being able to have a good work-life balance and being able to bring their ‘full self’ to work
• The opportunity to contribute to the mission of WWF and to share our values that will be embedded in your work and behaviours.