ICFG – International Center for Future Generations

Public Affairs Manager

ICFG – International Center for Future Generations

Brussels, Belgium

Range gross salary/year: €90K – €110K (actual salary will depend on experience)
Contract: Indefinite
Working hours: Fulltime
Closing date: April 27^th 2024

In summary

• We’re a start up think-and-do tank in Brussels. We want to prove ourselves as a trustworthy and collaborative partner;
• Our focus is on helping the EU institutions get ready now for the benefits and possible risks of powerful emerging technologies;
• We see ourselves as lobbyists for science – we serve the general public interest alone;
• Rowan Emslie is our Head of Communications & Public Affairs. This position will be part of a team including an events manager and digital communications manager (hiring still in progress);
• As the first holder of this role, we expect you to start building and shaping public affairs at ICFG. Since we’re still small, this role covers the whole range: from strategy to the operational work. It will take experience and an entrepreneurial attitude to keep up with the fast pace and ambition we aim for.

In detail

Established in 2023, ICFG is dedicated to shaping a future where decision-makers anticipate and responsibly govern the societal impacts of rapid technological change, ensuring that emerging technologies are harnessed to serve the best interests of humanity. The ambition of ICFG is to become the most impactful think-and-do-tank in the European Union by working with stakeholders within the EU, as well as national governments, and providing them with expertise and concrete policy suggestions. ICFG executes rigorous, independent, and policy-oriented research to create awareness about emerging technologies that require the urgent attention of political decision-makers.

With 2024 being an important election year, we are poised to make a significant impact and we want you to be part of it!

About ICFG

• Our technology programs revolve around the following focus areas: advanced artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, biotechnology, quantum technology, and Climate Interventions. In addition, there are two cross-cutting programs – Foresight and Governance – that dig into the bigger picture challenges of effective policymaking;
• We are funded by private philanthropists and we do not accept funding from government or commercial interests. Our funders don’t gain from our activities. Independence in the research and outreach of ICFG is of the utmost importance;
• We’re a start-up organization of about 20 people at the moment and growing fast. Some are working from Brussels, some remotely.

The role

Your guidance and strategy will help us move the needle. Thanks to you opening doors (literally sometimes) our message gets to the right people, the right way at the right time. In this role you functionally lead all colleagues on public affairs. You tie all ICFG’s advocacy activities together to ensure that they serve ICFG’s mission. On the one hand you work in close partnership with our Program Leads and specialist policy analysts to dive into subject matters. On the other hand you’re part of the comms and PA team focused on making ICFG, as a whole, impactful.

How you will make an impact

• You set up strategy and tactics for public affairs at ICFG: where and how do we spend resources best;
• You keep an oversight of all outreach activities across all programs and make sure they don’t collide. We manage our contacts via Quorum, for which you will be ICFG’s main coordinator;
• You lead the way by doing: you set up meetings with relevant stakeholders, you coordinate the who, when and how in regards to the lay of the land of the EU institutions;
• You coach our specialists in how to effectively engage with EU circles;
• You help us grow, we’re not a hierarchical organization so your input is always welcome.

What you will need to succeed in this role

• Min. 5 years of relevant experience in EU institutions and/or an agency that works for the EU institutions;
• Hands on experience in technology, health or climate policies;
• A strong, existing, active network within EU policy making circles;
• Ability to create a vision for the short term and for the long term as we scale up;
• People skills, collaboration and leadership skills.

What we offer

• The salary for this position is competitive;
• Work location: Even though we expect you to be in our Brussels office regularly, we offer flexibility in working hours and working from home;
• Vacation days: We offer a generous number of Vacation days (statutory days, discretionary days, shut-it-down days, etc.) and Parental Leave and Care Leave days;
• Learning & Development: An annual contribution toward personal education & development;
• Wellness & Wellbeing: An annual contribution toward personal wellness & wellbeing;
• Inclusive workplace: We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace for all.

How to apply

The attributes listed above represent our current thinking for the role. You can be a great candidate even if you don’t fit everything we’ve described above. You can also have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you – even if you’re on the fence – we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself!

To apply for this exceptional opportunity, please send your CV and cover letter via the Apply Now button. The deadline for applications is 27/04/2024.

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