JPI Oceans is looking for a Communications Officer

The JPI Oceans secretariat is looking for a science Communications Officer in support of all our communication-related tasks and activities, with a focus on Horizon Europe initiatives.

Job setting

The Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) is a pan-European intergovernmental platform that strives to increase efficiency and impact of national investments in marine and maritime research and innovation. JPI Oceans focuses on long-term collaboration between EU Member States, Associated Countries and international partners and adds to the value of national research and innovation investments by aligning national priorities, addressing them with Joint Actions and amplifying impact through Strategic Engagements.

JPI Oceans is involved in several initiatives of the EU Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. In the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, JPI Oceans is a partner with responsibilities in communication, outreach, community building, capacity enhancement and ocean literacy. JPI Oceans also leads the Communication Work Package in MMinE-SwEEPER, a European Research and Innovation Action which aims to enhance the maritime safety and environmental protection from munitions-related threats. JPI Oceans further runs its own set of Joint Actions on a range of different topics from sea level rise and Blue Carbon, over ecological aspects of deep-sea mining, to the consequences of light changes and acoustic pollution.

The JPI Oceans secretariat is looking for a communications officer in support of its tasks and activities, with a focus on the abovementioned Horizon Europe initiatives.

Dynamic working environment

The JPI Oceans secretariat is based in the heart of Brussels and amidst many of the key EU institutions. The position offers the opportunity to work in a multicultural European environment and be part of a dynamic constellation engaging with policy-makers, ministries, research funders, academics and other stakeholders. There will be ample opportunities to attend international conferences and meetings and build networks with colleagues from across Europe and beyond.

Are you looking for an opportunity to join our lively international secretariat team that works towards sustainable seas and oceans, and be immersed in the European research and innovation sphere? We would love to hear from you!

Photo caption: ’Small particles, big concerns: Marine microplastics revisited’ Parliamentary event, organised by JPI Oceans and EP Intergroup Climate Change, Biodiversity & Sustainable Development.

Photo caption: Group discussion at the JPI Oceans Strategic Navigation Forum

Key responsibilities

The design of your portfolio of responsibilities will include a broad range of aspects, which may evolve over time along with JPI Oceans’ array of changing Joint Actions and project involvements.

Support the implementation of the communication responsibilities in the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership and MMinE-SwEEPER project. Your main roles will be to:

• implement the communication, dissemination and outreach strategy;
• manage the website and social media channels;
• prepare presentations, brochures, policy briefs, and content for traditional and social media;
• organise events, symposia, webinars and other activities;
• explore the use of innovative communication tools to generate and maintain a high level of interest and engagement;
• develop and organise activities to build the ocean literacy capacity in projects.

Support the communication and outreach of JPI Oceans’ thematic Joint Actions and Strategic Engagements. Your roles will be to:

• transfer key outputs into an appealing and impactful design in line with the JPI Oceans branding;
• prepare communication items such as announcements, news releases, annual reports, brochures, briefs, graphics, and content for traditional and social media;
• target communication to policy-makers at different levels, expert communities, and other stakeholders;
• create individual communication plans for specific initiatives;
• organise policy briefing events and conferences.

Requirements

• A degree or relevant experience in communication, graphic design, or related fields;
• Demonstrated communication or marketing skills;
• At least 2-5 years working experience;
• Demonstrated graphic design and or desktop publishing experience with the Adobe suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and Canva;
• Experience with the content management systems (E.g.: Drupal, WordPress, Squarespace etc);
• Strong interest in research policy and marine and maritime research;
• Excellent written and verbal language skills in English. Knowledge of French and/or other European languages is an asset;
• Inter-personal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations within a multi-cultural environment.

JPI Oceans offers

• The opportunity to be part of a small, dynamic, and diverse Brussels-based team;
• Immersion into European research and innovation and in science policy;
• A competitive salary based on public sector remuneration scales between €3800 and 5500 Euro gross per month depending on experience;
• Meal voucher contribution at 6.91 EUR per work day, hospitalisation insurance, internet allowance and public transport within Brussels or bike allowance are provided;
• 30 days of annual holidays.

Photo caption: Q&A session during the first Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Symposium highlighting examples of Partnership’s First Call projects from each priority area.

Conditions

• Starting date: as soon as possible
• Occasional travelling will be required
• Location: Rue du Trône 4, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

To apply

Please send your application by 22 November 2024 to info@jpi-oceans.eu as one pdf file including a cover letter and your CV. Supporting documents can be added as considered relevant (e.g.: website, design portfolio etc).