Public Affairs

Position Profile – Public Affairs & Communications Officer

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Reports to: Secretary General

Type: Full-time

About ECF

The European Coffee Federation (ECF) represents the interests of the European coffee trade and industry, covering 90% of all coffee imported and manufactured in the EU. ECF's mission is to anticipate and engage on EU legislation affecting the coffee sector, ensuring regulatory coherence while promoting a sustainable, competitive, and responsible coffee value chain.

The Role

ECF is seeking a strategic and proactive Public Affairs & Communications Officer to enhance our presence and influence in Brussels. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of EU policy, industry advocacy, and international trade relations.

The role is hands-on and highly visible, with a primary focus on arranging meetings with EU policymakers across the Commission, Parliament, and Council; organising advocacy events such as breakfast briefings and panel discussions; and facilitating visits from ECF's national coffee associations, ensuring productive engagement with MEPs and Permanent Representations.

Beyond these priorities, the officer will support ECF's broader public affairs and communications portfolio, including policy monitoring, drafting advocacy materials, stakeholder engagement, event coordination, and—over time—managing ECF's presence on LinkedIn and X, as well as keeping members updated on EU developments.

The candidate must be self-motivated and capable of working on her/his own initiative whilst maintaining and promoting excellent relations with the team and all ECF members.

Main responsibilities

Strategic Public Affairs

• Arrange and coordinate meetings with policymakers across the EU institutions, ensuring alignment with ECF's advocacy priorities.
• Support national association visits, including tailored meetings with MEPs and Permanent Representations.
• Represent ECF at producing country missions, strengthening visibility and partnerships.
• Monitor EU legislative and policy developments and prepare concise, actionable briefings.
• Contribute to drafting policy positions, consultation responses, and advocacy materials.

Event Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Organise high-profile advocacy events (e.g., panel discussions, breakfast briefings, roundtables).
• Coordinate event logistics, invitations, and follow-up to maximise impact.
• Maintain stakeholder mapping and engagement plans, ensuring proactive relationship management.

Communications & Member Support

• Contribute to ECF's communications strategy, including social media, newsletters, and member updates.
• Prepare presentations, infographics, and advocacy tools to support policy engagement.
• Assist in coordinating working groups, committees, and member-focused initiatives.

Profile

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; other EU languages are an asset.
• 2–3 years' experience in Brussels, e.g., as an MEP assistant, Blue Book trainee, or in EU public affairs.
• University degree in EU affairs, political science, communications, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of EU decision-making processes and stakeholder landscape.
• Proven ability to engage with policymakers and manage high-level advocacy activities.
• Right to work in Belgium; based in Brussels or willing to relocate.

Desirable

• Knowledge of agri-food, trade, or sustainability policy.
• Experience in member-driven organisations or trade associations.
• Familiarity with social media management and visual communication tools (Canva, Adobe).

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, solution-oriented, and confident in high-visibility settings.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills; diplomatic and persuasive.
• Comfortable in a small, dynamic team and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Adaptable, resourceful, and capable of working independently to achieve strategic goals.

Why Join ECF?

• Permanent full time contract under Belgian law.
• Work at the heart of EU policy-making in Brussels, shaping advocacy in a globally connected sector.
• Direct engagement with senior policymakers, industry leaders, and international stakeholders.
• Lead and participate in high-profile advocacy initiatives and public affairs projects.
• Be part of a dynamic team advancing sustainability, trade, and competitiveness in the coffee value chain.
• An interesting remuneration package, including benefits such as meal vouchers and public transport ticket.

The jobholder will start as soon as possible.

How to apply

Please send your application to Eileen Gordon (-), ECF Secretary General, with "Public Affairs & Communications Officer + name" in the subject line.

Your application should include the following documents (with your name as the title):

• A short motivation letter. The letter (maximum two pages) should outline your suitability and motivation for the post. It should explicitly reference how your profile matches the different job requirements described above. Please also include with your application the names and contact details of two people (ideally a current or former line manager or supervisor) who could provide a reference in case you are short-listed for an interview.
• A detailed curriculum vitae.

Application deadline: 31 October PM, CET. Applications will be accepted until a qualified candidate is selected, at which time the recruitment will be closed.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Further Information

In case you have questions, please send them to - More information about the European Coffee Federation (ECF) can be found