Senior Policy Advisor

About Questionmark

Questionmark is an independent think tank dedicated to the transformation of the food system into one that is healthier, environmentally sustainable, and fair. We focus on the influence of food retail chains and brands and how the government should regulate that influence. Our strategy is to realise systemic change through three pathways:

1) Driving a race to the top among food retailers and brands

2) Facilitating collaboration across sectors, governments and civil society

3) Advocating for regulation that establishes level playing field within planetary / social boundaries.

Through these transformative pathways Questionmark shapes and drives policy and conduct on food system challenges on the following strategic topics:

• Climate strategies and the protein transition in retail and brands 

• Growing market demand and policy support for sustainable agriculture

• Offer and marketing of healthy and sustainable food

• The effects and legal position of food advertising

• Human- and labour rights, such as living wage, in global supply chains 

Senior Policy Advisor

Questionmark is gaining increasing authority and, as a result, growing influence over businesses, government, and politics. We influence decision-making by publishing independent research and policy recommendations, and by bringing key issues into the public and political debate.  The new role of Senior Policy Advisor is focused on directly influencing policy development and business conduct, by bringing Questionmark’s expertise, recommendations, and positions directly to decision-makers within corporates, politics, and governments in Europe.

As Policy Advisor, you join a core team of approximately 9 colleagues. Your work is largely project-based, frequently serving as a project leader. Projects encompass a mix of research, advocacy, advisory, fueling public debate, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders. Projects take place in west European countries, of which the majority in The Netherlands. 

In this role, you have both the autonomy and responsibility to initiate and develop programs and projects aligned with Questionmark’s strategy, including raising funds. You collaborate with the leadership in shaping these programs/ projects. In executing projects you collaborate with researchers and communication experts in the team. Alongside project execution, you monitor both political calendars and progress made in the retail and food brands sectors, identify strategic opportunities, and enable Questionmark to capitalize on them.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Initiating, fundraising, leading, and executing multi-stakeholder projects

• Monitoring developments in politics, government policies, and retail/food sector strategies across the EU and Western Europe (focusing on food, health/prevention, sustainable agriculture, and fair supply chains)

• Developing strategic advice and based on that: writing policy briefings, opinion articles, advisory reports 

• Initiating research and leading the development of white papers and reports

• Engaging key stakeholders across politics, government, business, civil society, and academia through relationship building, organising dialogue events and speaking at conferences 

​​​​​​Required Experience

General experience: work experience between 10 and 20 years

Domain experience: background in sectors: food/ agri, retail, government, civil society. With expertise in health and/or climate & nature and/or human- and labour rights

Proven track record: 

• Advocating for policy developments in politics, government and corporates.

• Project management, fundraising, and/or B2B business development

Education & Skills: Master’s degree (WO), writing skills for external publications, fluency in spoken and written language in both Dutch and English; German and/or French is a plus.

What this job offers you

• Direct impact on transforming the food system to become healthy, climate and nature friendly, and respectful of human and labour rights 

• An organisation that is large enough to make a difference yet small enough for you to contribute directly to its success

• Considerable freedom to shape the role and contribute to the growth of Questionmark

• Close-knit team with an open, harmonious culture and healthy work-life balance

• Amsterdam-based office with hybrid flexibility. Team office days on Mondays and Thursdays.

• Temporary contract with the intention to grow into a permanent contract.

• Remuneration in the range of EUR 5.000 - 6.500 , including 25 days leave for fulltime, pension contribution, travel cost compensation.