The new coordinator will work to coordinate the Network's activities, internal exchanges and development so as to consolidate land organisations in Europe and advance access to farmland for agroecology on the political agenda.
Date Posted : 07/07/2022 - Closing Date : 06/09/2022
Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.
Contract Type : French employment contract – Permanent contract (CDI)
Salary : In line with Terre de Liens pay grid gross monthly salary of €3000 (variable according to degree and experience)
Hours : Full time equivalent – Forfait jours
Status : Manager (Cadre)
Start Date : 1st November 2022 (or earlier)
Location : France (Paris, Crest, home office possible)
PRESENTATION
The Access to Land Network unites grassroots organisations from across Europe to share experiences and promote the significance of access to land for agroecological transition and generational renewal in agriculture. Established in 2012, the Network functions as an informal gathering of 15 organisations. Member organisations bring together citizens, farmers, and communities to preserve farmland and ecosystems, develop local food systems, address the climate and biodiversity urgencies, create rural jobs and expand vibrant rural areas. We are confident in our collective capacity to change the food and farming systems towards agroecology.
Since 2012, the French civic movement Terre de Liens has acted as coordinator of the Network. The Network’s coordination will now be shared with the Belgium organisation Terre-en-vue.
Stopping the decline of agricultural land, supporting farmers seeking to enter farming and developing organic and peasant farming : these are the commitments that have mobilised the Terre de Liens (www.terredeliens.org) for almost 20 years. Our popular education movement is based on a membership and civic dynamic to preserve land and act concretely towards managing land as commons.
Terre de Liens brings together more than 1,300 volunteers and 120 employees in France, it has acquired nearly 300 farms and supports over 2,000 farmers and aspiring farmers as well as around a hundred local authorities. The Access to Land Network Coordinator will join the team of the national federation Terre de Liens, made up of about twenty people.
JOB PURPOSE :
To coordinate the Network’s activities, internal exchanges and development so as to consolidate land organisations in Europe and advance access to farmland for agroecology on the political agenda.
The post-holder will achieve this objective together with the Network’s coordination team and through close working relationships with the Steering Group, members and key partners of the Network, as well as with Terre de Liens and Terre-en-vue team members.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :
Organise strategic planning, monitor progress, and report to the Steering Group and to all members
Mobilise and manage funding (approx. €180,000/ year) to enable the Network’s activities (EU programmes and private foundations) and report to funders
Coordinate the Network’s coordination team (2 persons - 1 FTE + temporary contributions of members, temporary contracts or subcontractors)
Facilitate exchanges of information and practices among Network members and with close partners (annual meeting, study visits, webinars, mentoring…)
Organise campaigning and advocacy activities in favour of better regulations for access to farmland in Europe, good land use, food sovereignty, peasant farming, the preservation of ecosystems and climate protection. Develop alliances with civil society organisations to develop and consolidate these activities.
Provide expertise and leadership for the production of educational resources – toolkits, case studies, on-line materials – for grassroots access to land initiatives
Lead and contribute to developing communication tools – e.g. the Network’s website (www.accesstoland.eu), newsletters, infographics, videos
Support the development of new access to land initiatives, in particular in Central and Eastern Europe
Serve as the main contact for existing and new members : provide bilateral support to members, facilitate new membership applications, etc.
As a staff member of Terre de Liens, the Coordinator of the Access to Land Network reports to the Director of Terre de Liens Federation, as well as to the Board member in charge of European affairs. S/he is also accountable to the Steering Group of the Access to Land Network.
QUALIFICATIONS :
Essential criteria :
At least 10-year experience facilitating networks and international cooperation work.
At least 5-year strategic planning and coordination.
Strong capacity to mobilise both public and private funding. At least 5-year experience coordinating and managing EU-projects, with multiple partners.
Flexibility and ability to work with autonomy.
Ability to combine multiple threads of work, projects, and areas of work (networking, experience-sharing, campaigning…).
Ability to work cooperatively both as part of a French or Belgium team and in a cross-cultural setting.
Experience managing teams
Fluency in written and spoken English and French (C1 or above). Other European language(s), an advantage.
Willingness to travel up to 8-10 weeks/year.
Desirable criteria :
Knowledge of food and farming issues
Experience of conducting campaigns and advocacy
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Experience of successfully working with partners and allies
Experience of working with Central and Eastern European organisations
Note : This job description is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as a definitive specification as it may be adjusted in the light of strategic developments following discussions with the post-holder.
Please submit an application to federation@terredeliens.org, including your resume and a cover letter – either one should be in English, the other one in French. Applications which do not meet the stated essential criteria will not be examined. Closing date : 06/09/2022
Job interviews will take place on 20/09/2022.
