Communications Officer

Reports to: Director

Type of Contract: Full-time, permanent CDI contract

Deadline for applications: 16 October 2022

Starting date:  Q4 2022/ Q1 2023

 

About ECL:

The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) is one of the most prominent civil society organisations active in health policy at the European level.

ECL is the umbrella organisation of cancer leagues across the WHO European region and a driving force to advance cancer prevention, access to medicines and patient empowerment, as well as to influence EU health policies. Founded in 1980, ECL is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation with a secretariat based in Brussels.

ECL currently unites, supports and represents 30 members, which are national and regional cancer societies, who together employ more than 8,000 people and over 300,000 volunteers. They spend more than €750 million every year to fight cancer and represent over 570 million citizens. ECL engages in advocacy and lobbying and participates in several EU-funded projects. We also organise educational and policy events, and capacity-building initiatives. We invite you to read our latest Membership Booklet and Annual Report, visit cancer.eu and follow @CancerLeagues on Twitter and Facebook.

 

About the position:

ECL is seeking to hire a proactive, creative and detail-oriented professional to join our tight-knit team in Brussels to coordinate our wide-ranging communication activities.

The purpose of this role is to provide expert input to strategise, implement and monitor all ECL communications in alignment with our vision, mission and strategy.

You will lead on ECL’s day-to-day communications activities, including developing and implementing effective communication strategies, creating digital content, populating social media accounts and the ECL website, preparing publications, maintaining our database of contacts, and monitoring European and international news. You will join ECL at a time of change, and have the opportunity to make your mark as we launch a new strategic direction.

The Communications Officer is a pivotal position, providing horizontal support to the ECL secretariat, contributing to the strategic alignment of ECL’s communications with ECL’s advocacy activities for enhanced impact. The position reports directly to the Director and works in close collaboration with the entire ECL Secretariat.

 

What will you do?

You will be leading ECL’s communications and public relations efforts during an exciting period for EU cancer policy in the context of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and Horizon Europe’s Mission on Cancer. You will be responsible for the following tasks:

 

Organisational development  

• Contribute to developing and implementing ECL’s overall organisational strategy;
• Analyse communication processes, tools and procedures and optimise the use of resources and communication-related initiatives;
• Contribute to the finalisation of high-quality deliverables for EU projects and actions in good time;
• Support ECL in meeting its reporting obligations on communications activities for EU projects and actions;
• Ensure ECL members are informed about EU news, enabling them to play an active role in the EU policy-making processes;
• Help foster a continuous learning environment at ECL.

 

Communications strategy and narrative development

• Take the lead in developing and implementing ECL’s internal and external communication plans, including the framing of messages and narratives on cancer prevention, patient support and access to medicines, in collaboration with Policy Officers and ECL members;
• Act as the guardian of ECL’s branding; maintain and implement a coherent editorial style and tone, and strengthen the public image of ECL;
• Increase ECL’s visibility and profile, and promote key messages towards our external stakeholders (e.g. EU institutions, media and journalists, partners and allies);
• Develop and manage ECL’s online presence; prepare and/or supervise all communication outputs (including newsletters, social media updates, press releases, news articles, and campaigns);
• Coordinate the development of publications, including the Annual Report;
• Coordinate the production of other print and digital materials and communication tools;
• Monitor the impact of ECL’s communications actions and campaigns.

 

Content creation

• Create high-quality written and visual content for ECL’s online communication channels (i.e. website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram) and for the MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) Interest Group’s channels (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, webpage);
• Support the preparation of advocacy communication collateral (e.g. position papers, statements, op-eds, consultation responses etc.) in collaboration with Policy Officers;
• Review and edit digital content, papers and reports created by the ECL team and/or partners effectively translating technical and scientific evidence into accessible policy and public messages;
• Support public speaking engagements of the Director, Board members and Policy Officers;
• Monitor emerging trends and identify opportunities and best practices in digital communication;
• Keep abreast of the latest innovations in storytelling and take the lead in sharing content innovatively.

 

Event management

• Take the lead in planning, implementing and evaluating ECL’s flagship campaign, the European Week Against Cancer (every year on 25-31 May), as well as engagement in other organisations’ campaigns, awareness days and observances (e.g. World Cancer Day);
• Take the lead in planning, implementing and evaluating internal meetings and events (e.g. Annual Conference, General Assembly);
• Support preparations, presentation drafting and report-writing for the ECL Annual Meetings, the ECL Executive Board meetings and other internal and external events;
• Support the organisation of meetings and conferences in collaboration with other ECL staff, members and partners and provide logistical assistance as assigned;
• Attend relevant events and meetings and produce brief reports as necessary.

 

Press and media outreach

• Identify opportunities for the promotion of ECL’s work to a wide range of audiences;
• Lead in obtaining ambitious coverage of ECL’s activities by identifying opportunities for media visibility, responding to media enquiries, pitching stories, and soliciting interviews with the ECL team and Board members;
• Monitor, record and report on ECL’s media coverage;
• Develop and maintain a robust network of media contacts.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate will understand and be committed to ECL’s vision and goals. You will contribute to our ambition to pursue a transformational agenda at the EU level.

 

Required education and experience

• University degree (Master’s level) preferably in a relevant field, such as Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism;
• At least 2 years of professional work experience in communications-related roles;
• Proven ability to successfully deliver communications strategies and publication plans targeting a range of audiences;
• Proven ability to deliver creative content (text, image and video);
• Proven ability to plan workload, meet tight deadlines, and handle multiple projects;
• Strong understanding of and experience with Wordpress, Mailchimp and graphic design tools (Canva, Venngage and/or Adobe Creative Cloud applications);
• Experience in forging collaborative working relationships with relevant stakeholders;
• Experience in drafting communication and advocacy collateral;
• Strong understanding of and experience managing social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn);
• Demonstrable interest in cancer and international public health issues.

 

Required skills and personal qualities

• Near native or full professional proficiency in spoken and written English;
• A positive, ‘can-do’ attitude and the ability to work autonomously;
• Well-organised, practical-minded and able to prioritise a busy and varied workload;
• Ability to convey information in a compelling and concise way and to re-package complex content in an accessible format;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including tactful and effective facilitation skills to build consensus across teams;
• Strong IT skills (including MS Office applications and Zoom);
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail.

 

Desirable

• Good knowledge of the civil society sector and/or public health sector;
• Experience working for a membership or other purpose-driven organisation;
• Good understanding of the functioning of EU institutions and EU policy-making and influencing processes and strategies;
• Experience working in the pan-European context, preferably with EU institutions;
• Experience working on and monitoring international campaigns;
• Experience in publication and design;
• Experience in video editing;
• Fluent in one or more additional European languages.

What do we offer?

• A permanent, full-time contract and competitive salary;
• A friendly and flexible work environment, with the opportunity to take initiative and drive communication work;
• A hybrid work environment, with a pleasant office space in an ethical building located in the heart of Brussels;
• A challenging international job in a young, dynamic, supportive and multinational team;
• Working with a network of 31 members and access to experts and a large diverse network of partners across Europe and beyond;
• Opportunities to meet and work with EU institutions and leading European and global cancer organisations;
• Experience in EU-oriented communication and advocacy work and exposure to a broad range of cancer-related issues;
• Learning and training opportunities;
• Benefits package (e.g. meal vouchers, 5 additional extra-legal vacation days).

Terms of Employment:

• This position is offered on a full-time basis with a permanent CDI contract according to Belgian national legislation;
• Salary offered will be commensurate with experience and be supplemented with extra benefits;
• All applicants must be qualified, eligible, and able to work in Belgium without requiring a work visa. We are not able to provide financial assistance to relocate to Brussels;
• ECL is a tobacco-free workplace, compliant with Belgian regulations.

How do I apply?

Send an email to Director@cancer.eu (no telephone calls accepted) with the subject line: Application for ECL Communications Officer – [Your name & surname], with attachments:

1. Curriculum vitae, no longer than two A4 pages, with two professional references;
2. Letter of Motivation, maximum two A4 pages, which includes your a) salary expectations and b) earliest availability;
3. Up to two writing samples, published by you, in any realm of communication and/or policy (e.g. reports, news articles, blog posts, op-eds, position papers) (optional).

Applications that do not follow these instructions will be disregarded.

Deadline for applications: 16 October 2022 – 23:59 (CEST)

Short-listed candidates will be informed within 2 weeks of the deadline for applications. Online interviews will take place during the first two weeks of November.

Due to the high volume of applications anticipated, please note that we are unable to provide individual feedback and that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The successful candidate is expected to be based in Brussels. The position will involve a combination of teleworking and working in the ECL offices.

 

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Financial Officer – 50% to 100%

Applications accepted on rolling basis

 

Reports To:       ECL Director

Conditions:       Part- or Full-Time

Start Date:        ASAP

The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), a pan-European NGO, has a need for onsite (with some remote possibilities) financial support. 

Are you a dynamic, positive and intelligent person who thrives on working in a small team?  If so, we would love for you to join us!  You will support the ECL Secretariat and Board, and work with the ECL Treasurer, external Accountant and Auditor to ensure that we meet financial requirements.  This may also include administrative and HR legal tasks.

Financial Responsibilities

• Prepare and monitor financial reporting and requirements for EU-funded projects;
• Track income and expenditure on a weekly basis;
• Issue invoices and follow up with members in a timely manner;
• Keep track of and pay bills;
• Manage reimbursements to staff and meeting participants;
• Prepare quarterly reports to Treasurer;
• Prepare budgets and other financial reports and present at Board meetings and to General Assembly;
• Liaise closely with Board Treasurer, external Auditor and external Accountant;
• Prepare quarterly finance reports, including budget vs actuals;
• Liaise with bank; and
• Other financial duties as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• ORGANISED and attention to detail;
• Fluent in spoken and written French and English;
• Formal education in a related field;
• Experienced working in the European context;
• Some experience in financial reporting, preferably for EU-funded projects;
• Available to travel at least once a year to our General Assembly meeting in Europe;
• Excellent PC skills;
• Excellent prioritisation skills; and
• Authorised to work in Belgium.

 Highly Desirable:

• Fluency in Flemish;
• Specialised degree or certificate in accounting and/or administration;
• Experience with Sage BOB50.

Terms of Employment: Salary offered will commensurate with experience.  Office is in 1030 Brussels.

Starting date:  negotiable

Send an email to Director@cancer.eu (no telephone calls accepted) with the subject line: Application for ECL Financial Officer:  [Your name & surname], with attachments:

1. Cover letter no more than one A4 page on your a) motivations, b) qualifications, c) preference for % time, d) earliest availability, and e) salary requirement;
2. Full curriculum vitae with 3 recent professional references.

Please note that applications with missing information will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No telephone calls accepted. ECL is a smoke-free workplace, compliant with Belgian regulations. 

 

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ECL YOUTH AMBASSADORS FOR THE EUROPEAN CODE AGAINST CANCER

Applications for our Youth Ambassadors programme are now closed. 

Are you a youth leader, passionate about public health and willing to make a change in cancer prevention? Email us to let us know whether you’d like to be notified about the 2023 call at ECL(at)cancer.eu