Vacancy: Conference of European Churches, Programme Officer, CEC Dialogue and Advocacy

• April 2027 or earlier
• Full time
• Permanent contract

Conference of European Churches

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship bringing together 114 churches of Orthodox, Protestant, and Anglican traditions from all over Europe for dialogue, advocacy, and mutual encouragement.

CEC emerged as a peacebuilding effort in 1959, building bridges between Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War. This original mission carries us forward today as we continue to build bridges between people, churches and European institutions.

CEC offers an international, collaborative and dynamic work and peer environment.

CEC Mission

CEC’s mission is to claim and shape a space for faith, affirming the freedom of religion and belief, as a legitimate element in the European social and political context, and to support churches navigating as faith-based actors in this environment (Tallinn, 2023).

Work Location

The Ecumenical Centre, Rue Joseph II 174, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

Job Title

Programme Officer – European Institutions

Reports To

The Programme Officer reports to the CEC General Secretary.

Job Overview: Programme Officer for Dialogue & Advocacy – European Institutions

CEC works in two programmatic areas: Theology & Studies, and Dialogue & Advocacy. The Programme Officer for Dialogue & Advocacy – European Institutions cooperates with the Programme Officer for Dialogue and Advocacy – Human Rights (FoRB), with significant influence on priorities and work methods.

The Programme Officer is part of a lively European, ecumenical organisation with all its opportunities and challenges. His/her prime responsibility is to develop CEC as a European hub for issues related to the interaction between church, state and society and promote a strategic CEC presence vis-à-vis the European Institutions – including the European Union and the Council of Europe.

Coordination between the two work areas – Dialogue & Advocacy and Theology & Studies – and collaboration with the other Programme Officers and the administrative CEC support team is paramount for the fulfilling of CEC’s mission. Supporting and developing such coordination and collaboration is an essential element of the post.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Build a professional and ongoing CEC presence in the European Institutions.
• Monitor relevant policy development on the European decision-making level.
• Develop Art 17 (TFEU) dialogues with a view to planning, execution and follow-up.
• Take on specific tasks in advocacy and dialogue as agreed with the General Secretary.
• Network with relevant advocacy groups and organisations in Brussels and beyond.
• Assist Member Churches in their role vis-à-vis modern, secular and pluralistic societies.
• Maintain and advance the day-to-day cooperation in the work area and between the CEC work areas.
• Submit a budget plan and follow it up in collaboration with the Head of Finance, Administration and Payroll and the General Secretary.
• Integrate CECs’ fundraising policy in all parts of his/her work.
• Document activities and resource allocation, reporting to the General Secretary.

Qualifications and Experience

Commitment and proven experience with churches’ role in society and national life.

• Master’s degree in theology, international law, political sciences or any other relevant field for this position.
• International experience with ecumenical interaction and dynamics.
• A minimum of five years’ experience of advocacy networking at national or European level is an asset.
• Capability to work in a small, diverse and international team.
• Capacity to lead and manage processes and teams effectively, fostering collaboration and driving results.
• IT literacy with Office 365, Teams and SharePoint.
• Familiar with using CRM and ERP tools to support networking and member engagement.
• Proven communication skills, with the ability to engage clearly and effectively with members, stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Fluent in English language – other EU language skills are an asset.
• A flexible, and robust mindset.

CEC offers:

• An international working environment in a committed team, located in Brussels, Rue Joseph II 174, 1000 Brussels, at walking distance from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
• A unique opportunity to work on ecumenical and international issues.
• A competitive salary package.
• CEC is an equal opportunities employer.

To apply, please send:

• your application letter (in English), detailing your motivation for the position and matching your skills, passion, experience and educational background with the job profile,
• your Curriculum Vitae (in English);
• and contact details of three referees for you; CEC will only request reference letters (which should be in English, French or German) if you are invited for interview:
  • at least one reference should be from your church representative/church leader of a member church of CEC.
  • and one from your current employer/line manager (please indicate if CEC should only request the reference after a conditional job offer is extended).

The complete application file should be addressed to the CEC General Secretary Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach under the e-mail address: vacancy@cec-kek.be. Reference code CEC-POD&A by 13 November 2026. For questions please contact Ms Véronique Engels to schedule a phone call with the General Secretary: cec@cec-kek.be.

All applications will be kept confidential.

Interviews will be conducted in English and held in Brussels at the following address:

Conference of European Churches
rue Joseph II, 174
1000 Bruxelles.

Interview date: Thursday, 10 December 2026