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WWF International - 24 October 2009

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Job Description

Position title: WWF EPO Economist
Reports to: EPO Programme Director
Supervises: Contractual: consultants at any one time
Grade: F (senior professional staff)
Date: 1 January 2010

I. General description:
European policies and resource allocation will in future be heavily influenced by the global economic crisis. But this crisis will soon be exceeded by an ecological one if adequate measures will not be taken soon. The recent attempts by the European Commission to change patterns of sustainable consumption and production, develop new indicators for measuring progress and wellbeing and moving to become a low carbon economy show first steps in a new direction. This is set also in the context of the Swedish EU Presidency in 2009 emphasizing clean technologies and the OECD moving towards defining Green Economies and a shift away from narrow economic growth thinking.

These new directions will need to be reflected not only in words but in the highest level political directions and budgetary decisions. To this end, the opportunity of the once in a seven years debate on EU financial frameworks, to come into operation for the 2014-2020 period, must be used to press for overhauls in key expenditure areas (e.g. agriculture, regional policy, development assistance, subsidies). These expenditures must be in line with sustainability imperatives and align with moves for new financial architecture for adapting to new challenges. The WWF EPO strategy plan 2010-2014 has defined the work on the budget review as one of the major strategic priorities for the next period.

II. Major functions:
The postholder will develop the strategy for and oversee the implementation of the budget review project. Major functions will be
- develop a strategy and implementation plan together with relevant partners in the WWF network
- coordinate and steer the implementation of the strategy in an effective consortium of at least 8-10 WWF national organizations and programme offices to ensure coordinated lobbying in the national capitals
- link the EU budget reform policy asks with the ongoing work and priorities in the WWF network and EPO in particular (e. g. climate change, energy efficiency, biodiversity, freshwater, forests, regional development, development policies)
- coordinate activities with a consortium of NGOs in the Civil Society Contact group
- ensure good joint coordination of reports, major events and good interaction between NOs and POs for the working sessions with budget experts
- link the various levels and processes of the EU budget review to a policy and communications approach for WWF together with communications staff
- represent WWF in external fora and meetings

III. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop the WWF strategy for the EU Budget Reform project
- Produce reports focusing on distinct budget reform issues that highlight the long-run implications of failing to address future challenges related to Climate Change, pollution and natural resources use. The reports will be targeted for a general audience and written in a reader-friendly style
- Follow up on the existing work on recovery/ stimulus packages and press for their contribution to a low carbon/ green new economy and sustainable development
- Construct and implement a robust communications strategy together with the EPO communications department to ensure that the project's reports are disseminated widely to the public and policy makers
- Be responsible for building and maintaining a network of key contacts in the European institutions
- Organize at least three major public events in 2010-2012 period aimed at communicating the aims of EPO’s budget reform work broadly through the international and national media;
- Convene a series of working sessions with budget experts to help inform the project's analysis and development
- Represent the project and WWF at selected conferences, meetings, and other events; prepare materials for distribution and make presentations that effectively communicate the project's goals and progress
- Identify, develop and maintain strong collegial relationships with project partners, as well as other lead organizations and constituencies in the budget reform field

IV. Desired Qualifications:
- At least 7 years of substantial professional experience with economic and budget issues - Proven experience as an effective spokesperson and successful lobbyist preferably with European institutions
- Experience with agriculture economics, natural resources conservation, development and the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity
- Substantial experience in designing, conducting and managing network based projects aimed at informing and advancing effective public policy
- Excellent written and oral communications skills. Clear effective writing style.
- Ability to develop productive and collaborative relationships both internally and externally
- Ability to think strategically and creatively, juggle multiple priorities, adjust to changing circumstances, organize time efficiently
- familiarity with a wide range of communication tools and approaches
- Fluent English and ideally either Spanish or French; other languages an advantage
- Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Passionate & Optimistic, Challenging & Inspiring, Credible & Accountable, Persevering & Delivering Results

V. Working Relationships:

Internal:
This post is located in Brussels and reports to the Programme director of the European Policy office.
Working closely and maintaining regular contact with WWF’s European and international staff working on related issues will be essential for the development and implementation of the budget
reform strategy

External:
The postholder interacts with EU institutions, national governmental entities in accordance with the WWF national organizations and programme offices, the corporate sector, other NGOs and the media.

The post will be offered under a Belgian contract.

Application letter and CV should reach WWF-EPO no later than 23 October 2009 and be sent to recruitments@wwfepo.org
 
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