Communications Officer

AEIDL, the European Association for Innovation in Local Development, is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated full time Communications Officer to support the implementation of communications activities of a service contract for the European Commission. In particular, AEIDL will implement the second phase of the Rural Pact Support Office. The communications officer will engage on a time full-time basis in this project. We welcome applications from candidates looking for either a freelance or an employee post. The post will be offered on a permanent (open ended) contract. Role and responsibilities The Communications Officer will work under the supervision of the Communication coordinator supporting the delivery of a range of communication activities. The primary tasks include but are not limited to: Contributing to the conception and implementation of communication strategies; Managing social media accounts (X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Bluesky, YouTube), including content writing, generation of visuals, mapping and monitoring stakeholder accounts, monitoring and reporting; Contributing to the management and animation of online communities of stakeholders; Web content management and creation, including writing and uploading of copy, monitoring (analytics, KPIs) and reporting; Assisting with the writing, editing and proofreading of texts for various digital and print publications and outputs; Identifying and adapting visuals for the project website and newsletter, as well as other project outputs; Contributing to the layout of project materials, such as event reports and good practices; Assisting with the management, promotion, communication, and follow-up of project events (including registration process, mailing lists, invitations, support live communication during events, post-event dissemination, etc.); Light-touch video editing; Ensuring full compliance with European Commission visibility, branding and accessibility rules; Assisting in the production of project publications in all EU languages, carried out by external translation and graphic design providers; Supporting the application of data protection rules (GDPR) to all communication activities and tools; Supporting quality control of all digital and printed communication outputs. Tasks may be expanded depending on the profile and interests of the selected candidate. Essential skills and experience Excellent command of spoken and written English (C2 or native); Degree in Journalism, Communications, Digital Media or related field; Expert knowledge of social media platforms and tools; Knowledge of graphic design tools (e.g. InDesign, Illustrator, Canva) and familiarity with video editing software; Ability to manage mass mailing / CRM tools (e.g. Brevo); Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders throughout all stages of event management; Experience with website content management (Drupal); Ability to animate and manage online stakeholder communities, facilitating discussions, content sharing and collaborative learning; Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with the ability to manage, analyse and present data effectively; Excellent eye for detail and highly structured working style, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery of all outputs; Quick learner and team player; Keen interest in digital communications. Desirable skills Good understanding of EU project workflows and management; Familiarity with EU institutions, decision- and policymaking processes; Independent or advanced user of Adobe Creative suite tools; Good working knowledge of additional European languages (French would be considered a plus); Project management skills, including supplier coordination and invoice management; Knowledge of European rural or local development. Application process Send your CV in English in the Europass format with a short cover letter to jobs@aeidl.eu with the subject line RPSO Communications Officer by Wednesday 7 January 2026 18h. Your cover letter should include a description of how you meet the essential requirements of the post. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and that interviews may begin before the closing date. Early applications are encouraged. Working at AEIDL People are the most important asset of AEIDL, and we practice internally what we advocate externally – providing a working environment where we care for our staff in a culture of cooperation and collaboration. At AEIDL we seek to provide a healthy work-life balance, with a strong emphasis on cooperative teamwork. We have a human-centred approach to work, including flexible working hours, options for home working and regular social gatherings. We empower our staff to lead, decide and show initiative, embracing our "culture of co". Our culture of cooperation, co-creation, community-leadership, and caring for the common good is an inherent part of the AEIDL brand. At AEIDL you will benefit from our staff development programme, in which our team members contribute to designing and planning cooperative approaches to learning, mentoring and individual development. We value the development and sharing of skills, knowledge, and experience. We welcome ideas for our working and associative activities. Such staff-led initiatives include team building days, outreach activities, the European Local Innovation Forum (ELIF), and our eco-team, which ensures we practice what we preach. For employees we offer competitive remuneration packages, indexed on an annual basis, including a thirteenth month, double holiday pay (as per Belgian regulation), a home-working allowance, meal vouchers and a contribution to local transportation costs. We also offer affiliation to a private pension plan and a high-coverage hospitalisation insurance. In a standard year, employees are entitled to 20 days of annual leave, 12 days of compensatory rest, 10 Belgian bank holidays as well as Europe day, equivalent to up to 43 days of annual paid leave. Who we are AEIDL is an association that learns from and fosters community-led innovation in areas such as territorial development, employment, entrepreneurship, social inclusion, environment, climate action and green growth. We add value by supporting and facilitating peer learning among local and national actors across Europe, analysing and evaluating relevant EU policies and advocating for enhanced support to community local action to help build a Europe for citizens. The personal data contained in applications sent in response to job offers are collected and recorded by AEIDL's HR/KM departments in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations concerning the protection of personal data. These data will be processed by authorised persons only to be able to assess your application for potential recruitment and will be kept for the time necessary to achieve this purpose. You may request access to your personal data and, if necessary, have them corrected. You also have the right to have them deleted, transferred, request a limitation of their processing or to object to it. These various rights can be exercised by contacting the following address: privacy@aeidl.eu.