Community Relations Officer West-Vlaanderen

Function

You will be part of the Community Relations department, which is tasked with 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 (Grid Development and Infrastructure) 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 outset 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 duties 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 risks the project poses; identifying the project stakeholders and drawing up an engagement strategy; 
• drawing up 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;
• preparing permit applications with the assistance of the Permits team;
• dealing with owners and operators of the affected land with the assistance of the Property and Negotiations team.

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, political authorities, etc.).
• Having a network of contact persons in the Flemish 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.
• Experience in creating a preparatory framework for infrastructure projects is a plus.
• Experience in an environmental (engineering office) or commercial field is an asset.
• You have a master's degree or have sufficient relevant experience

Location

Quai Léon Monnoyer 3 - 1000 Brussels