Research & Innovation Intern

IFOAM Organics Europe is looking for a Research & Innovation volunteer (fully funded) to join the team in Brussels for 11 months. The volunteer would ideally start from September 2021 until July 2022, providing we receive the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) grant – we will know this before the end of July and we will inform the selected candidates.

About IFOAM Organics Europe

The EU Group of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM Organics Europe) is a non-profit organisation based in Brussels that represents more than 200 member organisations from all EU-27, EFTA and candidate countries (in total 34 different countries). We fight for the adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound farming systems in Europe and the world. IFOAM Organics Europe itself is embedded in the IFOAM Organics International movement with 800 affiliates in more than 100 countries.

About the European Solidarity Corps

Volunteering as part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) provides young people with the unique chance to express their personal commitment through a full-time volunteering activity in a foreign country for up to one year. Young volunteers can develop new skills and improve their personal, educational and professional development. More information about ESC is available on the European Solidarity Corps website.

Please note that financial support is provided to the volunteer to cover their costs of living.

• You will receive an allowance of €515 per month,
• You will be granted accommodation in shared apartments,
• You will be granted a public transport pass,
• You will also be reimbursed for your travel expenses from/to your home countries and will have a full insurance.

You will be trained and get the chance to learn more about the organic movement while working as part of our Research & Innovation team.

PROFILE

To be eligible, you only need :

• to be between 18 and 30 years old
• to be legally residing in a European country other than Belgium
• never to have been an ESC volunteer before.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research & Innovation team has two main areas of work:

• “Research & Innovation Advocacy” : The advocacy activities are implemented through TP Organics, the European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming. TP Organics focuses on EU R&I policies: Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Partnership for agriculture (EIP-AGRI). TP Organics also provides information on funding opportunities and helps its members join research consortia
• “Knowledge for Organic.” : IFOAM Organics Europe coordinates or is partner in several EU research projects such as RELACS and BioFuitNet. In order to disseminate the outcomes of these projects, IFOAM Organics Europe and partners have set up the Organic Farm Knowledge platform which provides access to a wide range of tools and resources about organic farming.

The ESC volunteer in the Research &Innovation team would support the secretariat of TP Organics and the development of Organic Farm Knowledge. The ESC volunteer would engage in the following tasks:

TP Organics(50%)

• Acquire event organisation skills: Contribute to the organisation of Organic Innovation Days(Nov 2021) and BIOFACH Science Day (Feb 2022)
• Acquire member management skills: Communicate with members and supporters of TP Organics; Update contact database of TP Organic; Collect donations

Organic Farm Knowledge (50%)

• Acquire fundraising skills: Contribute to applications for foundations and agencies (concept development, writing of the applications)
• Acquire coordination skills: Arrange and follow-up on meetings of the Executive and Editorial Board
• Acquire promotion and dissemination skills: Contribute to the preparation of a communication & dissemination plan; Contribute to online promotion of Organic Farm Knowledge
• Acquire IT skills: Upload tools on Organic Farm Knowledge

TO APPLY

To learn more about the positions available and volunteering conditions, please read the Guide for ESC candidates at IFOAM Organics Europe.

If you want to be our next Research & Innovation volunteer, please fill in the Online Application Form by Sunday 13 June 2021 – 11.59 pm.