Euroseeds (www.euroseeds.eu) is inviting applications for the position of a (Technical) Manager, Development Cooperation and Genetic Resources to join the Euroseeds General Secretariat team in Brussels, Belgium.

About Euroseeds

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector, representing the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. With more than 70 direct company members, including from seed related industries, and 37 national member associations from EU Members States and beyond, we represent several thousand seed businesses, from family-owned SMEs to global corporations.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat is based in Brussels, Belgium, and currently consists of 14 employees with 9 different nationalities and a broad and diverse set of educational backgrounds, work experiences and skillsets.

What unites us is a shared passion to support a thriving European agri-food chain through plant breeding innovations and quality seed.

Background

The EU’s seed sector is highly globalised with companies generally active not only across the European Union but also internationally. Based on research, production and marketing stations in multiple locations across the world and a strong relevance of collaboration between companies, Europe’s seed companies are amongst the world leaders in seed exports but also increasingly focus on opportunities to establish themselves in third countries. Appropriate framework conditions such as seed production and marketing legislation, intellectual property protection and phytosanitary rules, aligned with international conventions and standards, are key enablers for the success of investment, market access, international trade and development cooperation. This also includes the highly complex regulatory approaches to the sustainable preservation, utilisation and valorisation of plant genetic resources under the Convention on Biodiversity CBD and the FAO’s International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It is Euroseeds aim to contribute to the establishment of such framework conditions by supporting the development of respective legislation, infrastructures, expertise and processes both in the EU and in developing countries, including the engagement in dedicated collaborative projects and programmes funded through the EU budget or other means. Given the complexity of the challenges, a wide range of stakeholders need to be successfully brought together in such efforts. Euroseeds wishes to contribute to this by developing successful engagement with partners and key stakeholders in a collaborative manner and with dedicated expertise at all relevant levels.

Job description

The “Manager Development Cooperation and Genetic Resources” will work closely with the Euroseeds membership and, as member of the Secretariat’s International Trade Coordination Group, under the guidance of Coordinator and Secretary General to whom he/she will report.

The Manager represents Euroseeds on all relevant matters towards the responsible EU institutions, specifically the EU Commission (DG NEAR, DG INTPA) and the European Parliament (COMDEVE), be the spokesperson of the EU seed sector on these subjects, and assure multiplication of European activities at international level as required. Close collaboration shall be sought with other seed sector organisations, specifically with the African Seed Trade Association and its national seed associations, and the International Seed Federation, as well as relevant seed-related authorities and institutions like ISTA, UPOV, OECD, FAO, CBD.

The Manager will also be responsible for the management, support and animation of Euroseeds’ Committee Plant Genetic Resources as well as some of its crop specific Sections and/or related Working Groups. Further tasks may be assigned in line with the association’s needs and individual expertise and experience. Within the General Secretariat, the Manager will collaborate closely with the colleagues of its International Trade Coordination Group.

Euroseeds welcomes applications of experienced professionals with proven track record in the relevant fields and with a respective academic background. Specific additional training on individual aspects may be provided. The position is based at the association’s office in Brussels, Belgium, but requires regular travel, including internationally.

Specific tasks

• Monitoring and assessment of EU policies and programmes with relevance for seed sector development and cooperation in developing countries; specific responsibility for developing project proposals in cooperation with members, third country partners and stakeholders
• Regular contact with relevant EU Commission services, European Parliament, EU/national  agencies and international organisations active in the field, building a high-quality network of professionals and reliable, continuous engagement; creating awareness and support for seed-sector specific requirements for effective development cooperation and projects on the base of membership and partner consultations
• Representing Euroseeds towards relevant EU and international bodies such as the EU Commission, EU Parliament, OECD, UPOV, OECD etc. on relevant seed sector issues in the area of agricultural development cooperation
• Management and animation of Euroseeds Committee on Plant Genetic Resources and assigned crop Sections and Working Groups, including preparation of meetings, minuting and independent, pro-active follow-up
• Collaboration with seed sector organisations and representatives from third sector with a view to developing joint policy or programme initiatives and concrete projects

Qualifications

• University degree (Master level) education in a relevant field
• Proven practical experience and understanding of agricultural development projects, ideally including seed / plant breeding related elements (minimum 3 to 5 years)
• Familiarity with the EU’s institutional framework, principal policy making processes, ideally also with knowledge of dedicated cooperation programmes and funding opportunities 
• Able to explain technical issues to laymen and to communicate with authority to experts
• Very strong written and spoken EN (working language); other languages considered an asset
• Computer literate

Personality and skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, service oriented, collegial
• Tactful in dealing with people, also under pressure
• Discretion, good judgment ability, flexibility and versatility
• Organizational skills, management ability
• Team player with pro-active initiative and ability to work independently
   

Application

Interested, qualified candidates should send their CV and motivation letter, including an indication of their salary expectations, to: secretariat@euroseeds.eu  with the reference “Manager Development Cooperation”.

Process

Application deadline: 07.10.2024

First selection round (online): 28.10. - 31.10.2024

Second selection round (Brussels) with oral interview and written test: 18.11. - 21.11.2024

Starting date: earliest possible date