Lead in the TIE Communications committee and interface directly with EU decision makers.
Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) is the voice of toy manufacturers in Europe and advocates for the industry on a wide variety of legislative and regulatory issues including toy safety and materials standards, responsible marketing to children, trade, data privacy and environmental issues.
At present membership includes 13 full member companies and all major national toy associations, which together account for approximately 80% of European toy sales. With over €16 billion in annual sales in Europe, the toy industry is robust, fast-paced and highly competitive.
This industry presents regulatory and policy challenges and opportunities for the association team. The focus on matters related to children, be they technical safety measures or policy developments, heightens the activity of all stakeholders. The role of the Senior Policy Officer is necessary in enabling the members to be fully represented by their own sector, in an informed and engaged context.
The Role
TIE is recruiting a Senior Policy Officer for its Brussels team. The role of the successful candidate is crucial to the fulfilling of the association’s representation activity. He/she will take a lead in the TIE Communications committee and interface directly with EU decision makers and stakeholders in the best interests of the membership.
The Senior Policy Officer’s tasks are pivotal to the good functioning of the organisation. Key areas involve analysis of monitoring, identifying opportunities and challenges for the business sector and taking ownership of issues related to toy/product safety, environmental sustainability and trade. The tasks require a keenness for detail coupled with an ability to translate technical jargon into understandable priorities. The successful candidate will also present honed consensus building skills and a noted track record of policy influence. This role is highly valued and fundamental to the success of the small team and the organisation as a whole.
Position responsibilities and deliverables:
- Take leadership in the devising and implementation of the political strategy of TIE, including campaign development, and alliance and coalition building in the best interests of the industry
- Take the lead in the timely provision of information on legislative and policy developments on both an international and national level. The issues will include toy/product safety, environmental sustainability and trade
- Ensure effective and optimal interaction with all TIE members and their relevant staff on all identified legislative proposals, policy developments, and technical updates
- Act as a liaison point internally to the secretariat as well as to the members and alliance partners on the above issue
- Act as lead TIE representative on relevant EU stakeholder platforms and in face to face meetings with decision makers. Demonstrate intellectual leadership and expertise in fulfilling the mandate for representation in relation to European and Brussels based decision makers and stakeholders.
- Demonstrate honed skills in relation to knowledge and consensus building. The buy-in and commitment of all internal and external stakeholders will be sought in order to advance the agreed programme and fulfil the TIE mandate
- Act as a lead voice, using engaging and persuasive language to communicate sometimes complex technical issues. Demonstrate an ability to envision, strategically develop and obtain active support and commitment to the means used to obtain agreed results.