Job Alert| Researcher For Horizon Europe Projects On Agroecology| Agroecology Europe

Deadline: 07 July 2023

Agroecology Europe is looking for a Researcher for Horizon Europe projects on agroecology, agroforestry, soil health and digitalisation!

The AGROMIX project (AGROforestry and MIXed farming systems - Participatory research to drive the transition to a resilient and efficient land use in Europe) aims to deliver participatory research to drive the transition to a resilient and efficient land use in Europe. It focuses on practical agroecological solutions for farm and land management and related value chains. AGROMIX makes
use of a network of 83 sites with Mixed Farming (MF), Agroforestry (AF) or value chain stakeholder networks, which are used to measure, design, model, test and improve these systems.

The AE4EU (Agroecology for Europe) project contributes to agroecology research and innovation development through different strategic objectives. AE4EU with its 12 partners and associate stakeholders in developing a roadmap and framework for a European network of agroecological living labs (LL) and research infrastructure (RI), and other relevant actors.

The project Soils for Europe (SOLO) was funded by the call of the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’. Think tanks are at the core of SOLO , one for each Soil Mission objective, with the aim of co-creating knowledge and identifying the knowledge gaps, drivers, bottlenecks, and novel approaches, while proposing key performance indicators to monitor the progress of the Mission R&I related activities. Together with an open digital platform, the Think Tanks will function as an operational tool for implementing a participatory process that will last beyond SOLO's lifespan. The Think Tanks will be co-creating Mission objective roadmaps, which will be integrated into an overarching roadmap providing an overview of the research and innovation priorities and other actions to reach the goal of improving soil health across Europe.

PATH2DEA is committed to unlocking digitalisation’s catalysing power to foster European agriculture’s transition towards enhanced sustainability. THe project builds on farmers’ competencies and views and match them with the rich repertoire of digital solutions already available for agriculture. It will aim to tailor digital technologies to users’ needs and foster wide-range adoption of digital agroecological farming in the EU and associated countries. PATH2DEA’s general objective is to achieve
that digitalisation may act as an enabler of agroecology, thus catalysing farming systems' transition to sustainability in line with global commitments by the EU.

I. ROLE:

The selected candidate will work on policy analysis and policy development for agroforestry and agroecology in the European context. The overall aim is to contribute to policy development to support national and EU policies to overcome trade-offs and conflicts of present agricultural and food systems. This will support agroecological transition for more sustainable practices in agriculture and food systems, including mitigation of climate change and improve adaptability, and suggest new
policies at regional, national and EU level for policy makers, but also farmers, advisers, processors and other stakeholders.

This should be achieved through (i) providing an assessment of EU existing policies and their role in national and regional implementation to support agroecological systems; (ii) identify strategies for policy improvement; (iii) identifying new and improved policy design and implementation options; (iv) writing policy briefs, and participate on workshops with national and/or EU policy makers to develop co-designed policy recommendations. Moreover, the selected candidate will participate in dissemination activities and support elaboration of newsletters, website information, and other materials. Specific tasks that are coming up:

● AGROMIX

○ Writing an extensive policy white paper on agroforestry and mixed farming in Europe
○ Organising a European summit gathering policy makers, NGO representatives,
farmers and researchers to present the findings

● AE4EU

○ Editing reports on AE4EU’s mapping activities (advanced English is preferred)
○ Writing policy briefs on relevant work happening within the project
○ Helping to organise webinars and conferences

● SOLO

○ Active participant and organiser of two Think Tanks, one on Europe’s footprint on soil
and one on carbon

○ Stakeholder communication and engagement

● Path2Dea

○ Assist the other partners in the development exploring barriers and drivers of
digitalisation of agroecology

○ Supporting the co-creation of digital agroecology transformation

II. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE (minimum requirements):

A Master degree in Agronomy, Agroecology or Political Science;
A minimum of 3 years past work experience in agricultural policy analysis;
Prior knowledge and interest in agroecology and sustainable food systems
Good knowledge on sustainable agriculture and food systems
Good knowledge and experience on the European policy context
Good analytical skills on EU farming and food policy
Good organization skills,
Flexibility and open-mindedness;
Good IT skills (Office suite, Google Drive, Zoom);
Strategic and creative mindset;
Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills;
Ability to work independently and autonomously;
Excellent spoken and written English
Good team player

III. CONTRACT INFORMATION:

Part-time or full-time position depending on qualification and profile;
Starting mid-July 2023;
2 years contract under Belgium law with possibility of renewal;
Salary depending qualifications plus additional benefits (meal vouchers, extra-legal holidays);
Working in an international context with motivated and dedicated staff;
Flexibility in homeworking;
Based in Belgium;
The candidate must hold valid authorization to work in Belgium.

IV. How to Apply?

Please send your application (CV & motivation letter, list of publications and/or other achievements) before Friday 7th June 2023, 23:59 (CET) to: [email protected] and [email protected]
Agroecology Europe is dedicated to achieving workplace diversity in all its forms, including in gender, race, sexual orientation, class, age, physical ability, culture and ethno-religious affiliation. We encourage female and non-binary applicants, as well as underrepresented members to become part of our team

V. About Agroecology Europe

Agroecology Europe is an international non-profit organisation founded in 2016 in Belgium, who in a short time has created a rich membership of over 200 individuals and organisations which include farmers, NGOs, students (including PhD students) and individual persons. It aims to analyse, design, develop and promote the transition towards agroecology-based farming and food systems in Europe and throughout the world. It intends to place agroecology high on the European agenda of sustainable farming and food systems development. One of our most important goals is to foster interactions between actors in science, practice and social movements, by facilitating knowledge sharing and action. It also aims to create an inclusive European community of professionals, practitioners and citizens engaged in agroecology.

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