Application Deadline: 31 December 2023

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Press freedom in Europe needs to be defended. Join the mission of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), based in Germany to champion this cause.

ECPMF, in collaboration with its partners, is actively implementing the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide initiative that tracks, monitors, and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. Advocacy plays a pivotal role in this project, as well as in other ongoing initiatives.

We are seeking an Advocacy Officer to commence duties as soon as possible. As Advocacy Officer at ECPMF, you will be at the forefront of all advocacy activities, representing ECPMF’s mission in public and political debates. This role requires a self-starter and a reliable team player, collaborating closely with the communications team, international partners, and their communications teams. Responding to threats identified through monitoring activities, the Advocacy Officer engages in direct communication, awareness-raising, and on-the-ground missions.

Given the project-funded nature of ECPMF, the employment contract is set to conclude on 31 October 2025, with the potential for continued employment.

Responsibilities:

• Set advocacy and policy priorities for ECPMF, both at national and international levels (including European level).
• Coordinate advocacy activities within the Media Freedom Rapid Response consortium, including setting priorities, leading monthly meetings, and coordinating outputs.
• Maintain a comprehensive overview of media freedom developments in Europe, utilising MapMF data to identify focus areas for advocacy work.
• Lead and participate in fact-finding missions.
• Write and edit mission reports, coordinating their launch in collaboration with the communications team.
• Lead and contribute to the production of advocacy outputs, such as statements, open letters, and submissions to international and intergovernmental organisations, in collaboration with the MFRR consortium and other partners.
• Coordinate and implement advocacy initiatives for media freedom and journalists at risk across Europe within ECPMF’s advocacy objectives.
• Conceptualise and implement international advocacy events.
• Build and maintain networks of European institutions, political stakeholders, and partners in the freedom of expression community.
• Represent the organisation to promote its advocacy agenda and priorities.
• Cooperate with the management and the communications department to ensure ECPMF’s messaging and strategic approach align with advocacy goals.

What We Expect from You:

• A degree in a socio-political subject (political science, communication science, media studies, law, human rights) or equivalent educational programme.
• 3-5 years of professional experience in advocacy or policy work, ideally in Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) or human rights campaigning.
• Demonstrable understanding and knowledge of EU institutions, media freedom or journalism, and politics. A strong network of contacts in this field is desirable.
• Experience in advocating for and communicating complex policy issues (desirable).
• Experience in handling multiple activities at once, ability to work under pressure.
• Fluency in English, knowledge of German desirable. Additional languages are a bonus.
• Excellent written and verbal skills, particularly in drafting strategic advocacy materials for a diverse audience.
• Professionalism, reliability, willingness to take on responsibilities, and excellent coordination skills.

What You Can Expect from Us:

• Full-time position (38 hours per week) with travel within Europe.
• Remote work.
• Work in a team with a collegial atmosphere in an international environment.
• Annual salary between €40,000-45,000, depending on your experience.
• Additional benefits: holiday pay, year-end bonus, home office allowance (€100 per month), Ecochèque (circa €250 per year)
• Laptop and mobile phone.
• Annual indexation according to Belgian law.
• Possibility of continued employment.

Please send your application letter, together with your CV, certificates, and references by email to application@ecpmf.eu. You must be entitled to live and work in the European Union. Please note that we can only notify successful candidates for the next round of the selection process.