Community Relations Officer East- and West-flanders

**Excited to work for a key Belgian player in the energy landscape?**:
The Belgian and European energy landscape is in full swing. Did you know that Elia Belgium plays a crucial role in this? As part of Elia Group, a European transmission system operator, Elia Belgium ensures the reliability and sustainability of the electricity supply in our country.

Side-by-side with your talented colleagues, you will play a part in building a sustainable, green and reliable energy infrastructure that stimulates economic growth and reduces our ecological footprint.

Only together can we make the biggest impact possible We believe in the power of diversity: we are convinced that an inclusive and diverse work environment leads to more innovation, creativity and better results.
- Community Relations Officer East
- and West-Flanders
- Requisition ID: 10046
- Posting Start Date: 10/07/2025

**Function**:
You will be part of the Community Relations department, situated within the Infrastructure department. Community Relations has the responsibility of creating the conditions needed to implement our grid infrastructure projects, in terms of authorisations, permits and stakeholder acceptance. It forges relationships and engages in ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders (administrative bodies, authorities, other system operators and utilities, local residents, etc.) so that infrastructure projects can start on time and be given the best possible reception.

To this end, you will also work with Elia's internal departments on infrastructure project proposals, to ensure that the solutions developed are in the interest of society, taking into account technical, economic and environmental aspects (including the reality of the environment in which the projects will be carried out). You will therefore be involved from the onset in defining the scope, schedule and budget of projects and maximising their chances of success.

As a **Community Relations Officer**, you will draw up a plan setting out everything that needs to be done to obtain the agreements, permits and property contracts required to carry out your assigned infrastructure projects. Your responsibilities will include the following:

- studying the technical proposals with the project engineers and checking that they are acceptable to the wider community;
- determining what agreements and permits are needed to carry out a project and analysing the project risks ; identifying the project stakeholders and defining an engagement strategy;
- develop the communication plan in consultation with the project communication experts and identifying the environmental measures to be taken in consultation with the environmental experts;
- expanding and maintaining your network of special contacts in order to facilitate decision-making processes concerning the awarding of agreements, permits, rights and authorisations; liaising regularly with regional and municipal authorities, action groups, NGOs, local residents and so on;

ElectricalElectronicManufacturing #Oil&Energy #Utilities

**Your Profile**:

- You have good negotiating (constructive dialogue), facilitation and conflict management skills.
- You make contact easily, you communicate effectively and you have a strong persuasiveness.
- Oral and written communication is your strong point.
- You speak perfect Dutch and have a good knowledge of French and English.
- Ideally, you have (or want to acquire) a good knowledge of the questions, the legal framework, the regulations and the administrative procedures relating to spatial planning and the environment.
- You have (or want to acquire) a good knowledge of the decision-making bodies and parties involved in these procedures (administrations, public authorities, etc.).
- Having a network of contact persons in the Walloon Region (local and regional authorities, associations, etc.) is an asset.
- You have a basic technical knowledge (or want to acquire it) and sufficient knowledge in this area to gain insight into the projects.You have a master's degree or have sufficient relevant experience

Communication #community #CommunityRelations #permits #authorisations

**Offer**:

- **Salary**:a competitive salary package, allowance for representation expenses, year-end bonus, double vacation pay, meal vouchers (€8 per working day), eco-vouchers, sport & culture vouchers, bonuses based on individual and group results.
- **Insurance**:group insurance, hospitalisation insurance, ambulant care insurance for the whole family and also personal accident insurance.
- **Vacation**:You will be entitled to 20 vacation days and 5 additional vacation days, 6 local days, 4 exempt days (after 1 year of employment) and up to 5 long-service days (1 day for every 3 years in employment).
- **Social fund**:Year-end vouchers, birth and marriage allowance. We will also cover part of the cost of glasses, a dental prosthesis or similar needs.
- **Communication**:you will be given an iPhone, a phone subscription (for wor