Rural Youth Europe is looking for a Project Officer

Rural Youth Europe is recruiting a Project Officer. The Project Officer will be responsible for the implementation of RYE projects, from their designing stage to their implementation and their reporting. These projects will be around diverse rural youth issues, mostly with a European scope.

The Project Officer reports to the Secretary General of Rural Youth Europe. The position is based in the Brussels office of Rural Youth Europe, with possibility of remote working occasionally and it includes occasional travels outside of Belgium.

What is Rural Youth Europe?

Rural Youth Europe (RYE) is a European non-governmental umbrella organisation, whose aim is to unite rural youth organisations across Europe to promote rural development and youth participation. It is an umbrella for rural youth organisations working to promote and activate young people in rural areas. Today, 24 member organisations from 20 nations and more than 500,000 young people are part of Rural Youth Europe. RYE works to enhance the lives of rural young people by providing intercultural learning opportunities through mobility, volunteering and youth work, while also advocating for rural youth issues. It has an elected board of seven rural youth leaders from around Europe, and a European secretariat with its head office in Brussels.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Working together with the rest of the secretariat and the board to ensure the smooth implementation of projects and activities, both online and face-to-face.

• Developing and monitoring the budget aspect of the projects, with the support of the Secretary General.

• Organisation of activities and workshops in the frameworks of projects, both online and face-to-face, in particular utilising non-formal education methods.

• Development of intellectual outputs (studies, toolkits, policy contributions/papers).

• Attending project meetings, including meetings abroad.

• Drafting new projects and funding applications in co-operation with the rest of the secretariat members, the board, the members and other partner organisations.

• Contributing to the advocacy of the organisation in relevant spaces, including representation of the organisation in a variety of events in Brussels and beyond.

• Building and maintaining relationships with similar organisations with similar objectives to Rural Youth Europe.

• Undertaking other day-to-day tasks within the organisation, depending on the shifting needs.

Applicant profile

We are looking for a motivated applicant who has:

• Experience in international youth work/NGO work and project management (either as a paid staff member or as a volunteer).

• Experience in funding applications and reporting.

• Experience in managing finances and budgets of projects.

• Experience or strong interest in rural youth issues.

• Very good knowledge of English (both written and oral).

• Computer literacy (including experience of Microsoft Office365).

• Flexibility and willingness to travel and work occasionally during weekends and evenings.

• Knowledge, experience and/or strong interest in non-formal education.

• Strong communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Ability to work under pressure, independently and responsibly, and with good organisational skills.

• Willingness to support and work with a team of volunteers and other employees.

The ideal candidate shall:

• Have excellent time management and organisational skills, able to work under pressure and willing to work with rural youth, volunteers, staff and experts from across Europe.

• Be committed, motivated, driven and passionate about rural issues, intercultural exchange and non-formal education.

• Have the ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and delegate effectively.

• Have a good understanding of budgeting and finances.

• Have the ability to facilitate webinars and workshops.

What we offer

• A fixed term full-time contract (38 hours per week) under Belgian law, to start from early February 2025 until December 2026, with the possibility of extension.

• A starting gross salary ranging between 2100 and 2300 EUR (subject to experience), which can include additional benefits (such as meal vouchers, public transportation pass, frais forfaitaires).

• 20 days of holidays plus additional days when the office is closed between Christmas and New Year for approximately two weeks.

• Days in lieu of working outside of regular working days.

• An amount of annual training days per year, and other developmental and travelling opportunities in the framework of work.

• Working with a dynamic and diverse team of secretariat and board members, member and partner organisations and their dedication to rural youth issues.

• An open, positive, international and flexible working environment with the possibility of working remotely, in accordance with the policies of the organisation.

Applicants are asked to send a CV and motivation letter by Tuesday 26th of November 2024, 23:59 CET to office@ruralyoutheurope.com. 

The candidate should have the right to work and live in Belgium and should be able to be in Brussels by the starting date of the contract. 

 It is anticipated currently that interviews will be held online the week starting on the 9th of December 2024. Successful candidates may be invited to carry out a relevant task before their interview. 

 We reserve the right to extend the deadline or to not select any applicant, should they not fit the profile provided. 

For any questions, you may approach the RYE Secretary General, Spyros Papadatos, at office@ruralyoutheurope.com.