The European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity! (EC-LLD) is an European AISBL (non-profit organisation), headquartered in Belgium and Italy, established in 2005 and formally founded in 2012.
The three pillars of EC-LLD’s activities are:
- capacity building on issues regarding seed policy and legislation
- trainings on Community Seed Banks management
- being an exchange platform that facilitates exchanges of practices and information between farmers, seed savers, and NGOs members and other realities.
It is composed of 20 members representing 19 different European countries. All members share the same concern: our food systems are too uniform and the promotion of biodiversity is the key to achieving food sovereignty and security for future generations. The existence of a platform that promotes the exchange and sharing of experiences, traditional knowledge, strategies and policies at European level is therefore essential. Indeed, EC-LLD draws its origins and foundation from the annual meetings known as the Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forums. The aim of these events has been to develop the issue of agricultural diversity by linking the work and experiences of the different actors involved, including public awareness, and promoting a horizontal and participatory dissemination of knowledge and expertise. It is within members’ communities that knowledge about growing, preserving and using local varieties and agrobiodiversity is preserved.
JOB PURPOSE SUMMARY
The Secretariat is looking for a young and motivated person to join its team and follow the organisation’s activities. Women are encouraged to apply. Mainly the candidate will have to follow the activities of the Horizon Europe project called LIVESEEDING and share main secretarial activities. Inclusion in a dynamic team of colleagues is offered, as well as the possibility over time to create other opportunities within the association like drafting other European and national projects.
Job location: Scandicci, Florence with agreed presence in the office in Piazza Brunelleschi, 8. Possibility of tele-working days once the training is over.
Type and term of contract: In-house consultant of EC-LLD with letter of assignment on the project starting in April 2023 until October 2026. Approximately 20 hours per week are required (2,5 Days average per week, dependent on events and travel evening and weekend work likely). Travel expenses will be paid as part of the project budget.
Remuneration: Starting salary of 12.000 € per year in accordance with candidate’s qualifications, with the
possibility of an increase depending on pending projects of ECLLD.
Type of work: 60% of the time coordinator of the project LIVESEEDING – www.liveseeding.eu – and 40% general desk activities.
How to apply: Please send your application (CV & motivation letter, list of publications and/or other achievements) before 15th of March 2023, 17:00 pm (CET) to: info@liberatediversity.org
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.
ROLE AND PROFILE
Skills, Experience and Qualifications
- MSc or BSc degree in agriculture sciences, agronomy or agroecology, environmental studies, political science, development studies, or related fields;
- Enthusiasm and strong involvement in project work with multiple partners
- Good administrative and IT skills (Microsoft office, documenting procedures, preparing and submitting reports as and when required).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong presentation and relational skills for good networking with international partners
- Effective time management
- Engaging team player and works on own initiative
- At least two of the following languages: Italian, English, and French.
Desired competencies
- Interest in organic and agro-ecological farming
- Knowledge of the seed main issues and its policies
- Interest on high-quality organic seed production
- Regulatory and policy aspects of the organic seed market and organic seed databases
- Knowledge and experience working within EU funded projects and reporting will be considered a strong asset
LIVESEEDING 60%
- Participate to LIVESEEDING project activities and workshops if needed within different tasks;
- Acquire and maintain a detailed knowledge of the Project’s aims and strategies, and keep up-to-date with relevant developments;
- Organization together with the Secretariat the 12th LLD Forum in Ireland in late October 2023
- Unlock project outcomes to policymakers together with IFOAM
- Train the trainers in capacity building activities together with FiBL-DE
- On-farm demonstrations, training and knowledge sharing events with INRAE
EC-LLD SECRETARIAT 40%
- Learning the Secretariat’s working methods and programmes (Slack, G-drive, Banana)
- Maintain and update EC-LLD website (WordPress) and general use of communications tools (Hootsuite – Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook).
- Organize online and on-site events for knowledge exchange and networking between partners and other relevant stakeholders;
- Facilitate coordination of EC-LLD activities (Working Groups, Assemblies, Training days) and support networking and engagements with key partners;
Project Background
LIVESEEDING project
LIVESEEDING contributes to the upscaling of organic production in Europe through (i) improving availability of organic plant reproductive material of organic cultivars (Organic Heterogeneous Material, Organic Varieties, landraces) of a large range of crops, bred for improved diversity and adaptation to local conditions, and (ii) strengthening and diversifying the organic seed sector informed by market demands.
LIVESEEDING contributes to the transition towards environmentally-friendly, climate-neutral, healthy and fair food systems through further developing (i) cultivars suited for organic and low external input production, (ii) novel governance models linking breeders with value chain actors and citizens with local food production, and (iii) awareness around the importance of biodiversity for our food and health. LIVESEEDING focuses on the main drivers for (i) the supply and demand of organic seed and cultivars, (ii) the supply and demand of food products derived from them, and (iii) enabling frameworks and roadmaps through active policy dialogue with national and European authorities and policymakers by providing science-based evidence and best practice solutions to achieve 100% organic seed. LIVESEEDING addresses the topics in a holistic multi-actor, multi-stakeholder participatory approach involving organic and public research institutes (with proven competencies in breeding, seed multiplication and health, socio-economics, extension and outreach), variety examination offices, private breeders and seed companies, organic production and civil society associations. Additional stakeholders along the value chain are involved in the local Living Labs (LLs) and the established networks of organic breeders (ECO-PB), seed savers (EC-LLD) and Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP).
