• We are the single European umbrella federation of member-based civil society organisations advocating and working for more and better cycling.
• We promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy means of transport and leisure.
• With more than 60 member organisations from over 40 countries, we harness the power of European cycling movements as the only civil society advocacy voice at the pan-European level.
• We are based in Brussels and our roots are in Europe, but the challenges we face are global, and we are ready to meet them as the world’s largest and best-known cyclists’ advocacy federation.

Job description

The Policy and Projects Coordinator will have an opportunity to assist the ECF team with delivering results on a groundbreaking project that is sure to have a strong impact on integrating cycling into European Union (EU) transport policies such as the historic European Declaration on Cycling over the coming years. This person will also have the chance to work with the ECF team on various topics related to our policy and advocacy goals. 

Main responsibilities:

Working on a cross-border cycling infrastructure project:

ECF is working with a dynamic consortium to implement a study on cross-border cycling infrastructure in the EU. The aim of this project is to establish a data baseline on cycling infrastructure, usage, road safety and other relevant indicators in the EU that would enable EU authorities and national governments to collect meaningful data on cycle route networks and other aspects of cycling infrastructure, usage and services. This is a project that will greatly empower ECF’s ability to advocate for high-quality cycling infrastructure that contributes to getting more people to cycle for transport and leisure.

The Policy and Projects Coordinator will work under the supervision of our Director for Intellectual Property and Data Collection, and with a team of cycling infrastructure and data experts, to support ECF with delivering on its project commitments. This includes, for example, contributions to analyses of cycle infrastructure and usage across Europe and the collection of data from national authorities, as well as providing assistance on project management.

Assisting ECF with delivering on its other projects:

Though the cross-border cycling infrastructure project will be this person’s main task, they will have an opportunity to work on one or more other EU-funded projects that ECF is involved in. This includes providing administrative and project management support, to helping produce content for our project deliverables and supporting the organisation of public outreach activities and events.

Contributing to policy and advocacy activities:

Depending on the chosen candidate’s profile, there may be opportunities to contribute to tasks on an ad-hoc basis on ECF’s general advocacy work programme. For example, this might include desk research and collecting input from our members to broaden the evidence base for our advocacy work, for example through ECF’s policy trackers and tools, and assisting the ECF team with outreach to decision-makers and other advocacy stakeholders.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a candidate who is motivated about cycling for transport and leisure, has at least basic knowledge of cycling infrastructure terminology and is able to open and understand GIS data files. Ideally, the candidate would also have experience with EU-funded projects and sustainable mobility and is willing to develop their skills in this area further.

Essential skills:

• An ability to open and understand the structure of GIS datasets in different formats, for example, ESRI shapefiles, geopackages, geoJSON and CSV files (very essential)
• Proven experience and skills on tasks related to policy and advocacy (researching policies, contributing to policy analyses and drafting policy recommendations)
• At least a basic understanding of cycling infrastructure terminology, and a willingness to learn more
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to analyse and summarise complex sets of data and information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft SharePoint systems
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Dynamic, proactive and outcome-oriented personality
• Organised, well-structured, resilient and with strong prioritisation skills
• Eligibility to work in the EU and to live and work in Belgium

Desirable skills:

• Experience working on EU-funded projects (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Interreg, or European Commission tenders, for example)
• Proven experience and skills in project management and administration, which includes overseeing implementation of key deliverables as well managing our engagement as a partner in projects (finances, person-months allocation, project timelines, project reporting, etc.)
• Knowledge of additional EU languages
• Proficiency with using automatic translation to find information
• Experience with sustainable mobility topics at the EU and/or national level
• Experience with road infrastructure safety management procedures, trans-European transport network and/or infrastructure investments
• An interest to passionately advocate for more cycling in Europe

What do we offer?

You will have a place in the world’s largest and best-known cyclists’ federation promoting cycling as the healthiest, most climate-friendly and efficient means of transport and leisure.

You will be a part of an international team located in Brussels full of friendly and passionate colleagues.

This position is offered for a 12-month temporary contract on a full-time basis, starting in February 2025 or as soon as possible. There is the possibility of an extended contract based on the person’s work performance and on ECF’s organisational resources.

ECF offers an employment package in line with similar non-governmental organisations based in Brussels. Our package includes flexible working hours with a good work-life balance, 20 legal vacation and 10 extra-legal vacation days per year, holiday pay and 13th salary, cycling to work allowance, lunch vouchers and an extra-legal pension scheme.

How to apply?

Please submit your CV and a one-page cover letter in English as one PDF document to hr@ecf.com with the subject line, “First name Last name – Policy and Projects Coordinator”. The deadline for applications is 18 January 2025.

Interviews will be conducted online on a rolling basis until we find a suitable candidate. We encourage you to apply right away if you think you are a good fit for the role. The interviews will consist of two parts:

• A technical exercise of approximately one hour, replicating a work experience during the study on cross-border cycling infrastructure, which we will use to determine a candidate’s technical qualifications.
• A traditional 30-minute interview to inquire further about a candidate’s experience and qualifications, and to determine whether a candidate is a good fit for ECF.

Due to the high number of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal opportunity

ECF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

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