Policy Assistant

About us

The Directorate-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the Common Fisheries Policy and the development and implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy. 

The DG has around 380 staff, distributed over 5 Directorates and 21 Units. The wide variety of responsibilities creates an interesting and challenging work environment. Hierarchical circuits are short and working efforts translate into tangible results with a direct impact on the ground and on stakeholders. Unit C5 was created in 2021, after the UK withdrawal from the EU, to contribute to the sustainable management of fisheries in the North Sea and Northeast Atlantic. 

The unit is in charge of: 

a. Negotiating, on behalf of the European Union, the fishing opportunities and other joint measures to ensure that fisheries conducted are in line with the Common Fisheries Policy and the agreements between the EU and these countries (in particular the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the EU Norway agreements, and the EU-UK-Norway arrangement);

b. Monitoring, applying and implementing the relevant obligations under the TCA, such as the management and the co-chairing of the Specialized Committee for Fisheries and its Working Group. In addition, the unit ensures the management and monitoring of all aspects related to fishing opportunities in the relevant geographic area. The unit also works with the Member States and relevant stakeholders on how to best ensure the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy and its sustainability goals, in the context of the European Green Deal. 

It works closely with the Secretariat General, the Legal Service, DG ENV and DG TRADE. 

We are a diverse, friendly and dynamic team of 15 persons, all highly qualified and dedicated. We look forward to welcoming a policy officer who is in search of an exciting career in a Unit which offers a unique mix of policy and political challenges.

About the role

A policy officer position with the task to contribute to specific files related to implementing the common fisheries policy (CFP) in the North-East Atlantic and the North Sea and existing international agreements and arrangements in the region, as well as to support the bilateral and multilateral negotiations with the UK and Norway on fishing opportunities and fisheries management related topics. 

The position entails:

• Assist chief negotiators in UK, Norway, Iceland and other negotiations (internal and external coordination, preparation and planning of the negotiations). 

• Assist in presenting and defending the EU position (under direction of chief negotiators), providing input when relevant and following up.

• Participate and report on negotiations/meetings/missions.

• Contribute and draft follow up responses/reports and to help coordinate impact assessments to documents notified to the EU by Northeast Atlantic third countries.

• Maintain contacts with national and international authorities, particularly those concerned with fisheries management.

• Facilitate engagement with Northeast Atlantic third countries, Member States and other stakeholders (industry and NGOs) on transboundary marine management.

• Liaise with the Data Management Unit on data analytics queries and provide data analysis support, using software such as R, Python and QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System) as required.

• Provide technical and scientific support for fisheries management initiatives involving Northeast Atlantic third countries.

• Assist with input on marine nature conservation files relevant to the Unit.

• Carry out any other assignments as decided by Head of Unit. 

Qualifications, experience and skills

We look for an enthusiastic and dynamic colleague, with experience of having worked on international affairs or on EU-related matters. 

The colleague is a team player with interpersonal and cooperation skills, is proactive, takes initiatives and is able to work independently in the context of the team and DG MARE. 

A technical or scientific background, or prior experience in fisheries policy and marine protected area management at UK and EU level, is an asset. 

Experience in using data and analytical tools to generate evidence and support evidence-based policy development and decision-making would be an asset. 

Capacity to use fisheries data analytics tools such as R or Python - e.g.: VMS (Vessel Monitoring System), FDI (Fisheries Dependent Information) and logbook data, as well as spatial analysis and mapping using QGIS, would be an advantage. 

She/he is equally able to quickly grasp technical matters as well as connecting the dots to the more political issues leading to a global view of the political issues at stake. (Inter-) institutional expertise is an asset. 

Very good coordination and communication skills (oral, written) are essential, as well as ability to work with Member States and main stakeholders. Fluent English is a necessity. 

We seek commitment to quality of work, with readiness to work irregular hours at times, to participate in missions, and with ability to meet tight deadlines. 

The role and task of the Unit, the combination of responsibilities of the Unit provide a unique opportunity to work on the further development and implementation of European values and ambitions, both within the EU and in the broader European context.