We are hiring a Project and Communications Officer!

Vacancy at Rural Youth Europe 

Rural Youth Europe is recruiting a Project and Communications Officer! 

The Project and Communications Officer will be responsible for the implementation of Rural Youth Europe’s projects, from their design phase through implementation and reporting, while also supporting the organisation’s communications. This role combines project management with storytelling, visibility, and dissemination of RYE’s work on diverse rural youth issues, primarily at European level. 

The Project and Communications Officer reports to the Secretary General of Rural Youth Europe. The position is based in the Brussels office of Rural Youth Europe, with the possibility of occasional remote working and includes occasional travel outside of Belgium. 

What is Rural Youth Europe? 

Rural Youth Europe (RYE) is a European non-governmental umbrella organisation, whose aim is to unite rural youth organisations across Europe to promote rural development and youth participation. It is an umbrella for rural youth organisationsworking to promote and activate young people in rural areas. Today, 24 member organisations from 20 nations and more than 500,000 young people are part of Rural Youth Europe. RYE works to enhance the lives of rural young people by providingintercultural learning opportunities through mobility, volunteering and youth work, while also advocating for rural youth issues. It has an elected board of seven rural youth leaders from around Europe, and a European secretariat with its head office in Brussels. 

Responsibilities and tasks  

• Manage and coordinate European projects from development to implementation, ensuring timely delivery, quality reporting, and compliance with funding requirements, including developing and monitoring the budgetary aspects of projects, with the support of the Secretary General. 

• Organising activities, meetings and workshops within project frameworks, both online and face-to-face, in particular using non-formal education methods. 

• Developing project-related intellectual outputs (studies, toolkits, policy contributions/papers) and ensuring their clear communication and dissemination. 

• Supporting the planning and implementation of communication and dissemination activities linked to projects, including drafting content for websites, newsletters, social media, and project deliverables. 

• Contributing to the visibility of RYE’s activities and results, including promoting events, outcomes and advocacy messages to members, partners and external audiences. 

• Attending project meetings and other work-related events, including meetings abroad, and contributing to reporting and follow-up communication. 

• Drafting new project proposals and funding applications in cooperation with the secretariat, the board, member organisations and partner organisations, including communication strategies where relevant. 

• Undertaking other day-to-day tasks within the organisation, depending on shifting organisational needs. 

Applicant profile 

We are looking for a motivated applicant who has: 

• Experience in international youth work/NGO work (either as a staff member or as a volunteer). 

• Experience in funding applications, project coordination and reporting. 

• Experience in managing project budgets or a strong willingness to develop these skills. 

• Experience in communications, public outreach or content creation in an NGO or youth work context. 

• Experience or strong interest in rural youth issues. 

• Knowledge, experience and/or strong interest in non-formal education. 

• Very good knowledge of English (both written and oral). 

• Computer literacy (including experience with Microsoft Office365 and digital communication tools). 

• Flexibility and willingness to travel and work occasionally during weekends and evenings. 

• Strong communication skills and a proactive, solution-oriented approach to work. 

• Ability to work under pressure, independently and responsibly, with good organisational skills. 

• Willingness to support and work with a team of volunteers and other employees. 

The ideal candidate shall: 

• Have excellent time management and organisational skills, able to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks. 

• Be committed, motivated and passionate about rural youth issues, intercultural exchange and youth participation. 

• Have the ability to prioritise tasks and work in a structured yet flexible way. 

• Be able to work independently within a team. 

• Have the ability to facilitate webinars and workshops. 

What we offer  

• A fixed term full-time contract (38 hours per week) under Belgian law, to start in early 2026 (ideally February or early March) for a fixed term, with the possibility of extension. 

• A starting gross salary ranging between 2300 and 2500 EUR (subject to experience). It can also include additional benefits (such as meal vouchers, public transportation costs, frais forfaitaires). The exact package is to be agreed with the selected candidate. 

• 20 days of holidays plus additional days when the office is closed between Christmas and New Year for approximately two weeks. 

• Days in lieu of working outside of regular working days. 

• An amount of annual training days per year, and other developmental and travelling opportunities in the framework of work. 

• Working with a dynamic and diverse team of secretariat and board members, member and partner organisations and their dedication to rural youth issues. 

• An open, positive, international and flexible working environment with the possibility of working remotely, in accordance with the policies of the organisation. 

Applicants are asked to send a CV and motivation letter by 20^th of January 2026, 23:59 CET to office@ruralyoutheurope.com. 

The candidate should have the right to work and live in Belgium and should be able to be in Brussels by the starting date of the contract. 

It is anticipated that interviews will be held online during the last week of January 2026. Successful candidates may be invited to carry out a relevant task before their interview. 

We reserve the right to extend the deadline or to not select any applicant, should they not fit the profile provided. 

For any questions, you may approach the RYE Secretary General, Spyros Papadatos, at office@ruralyoutheurope.com.