Call for Secretary-General

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FULL Time (40h/week)

2955.8 EUR

remote possible

1 year contract

Start end of September 2025

We are seeking an individual with a deep commitment to our cause and a proven track record in strategic planning, project management, partnership building, and human resources. The ideal candidate will be under 35 years of age, proficient in English, and a resident in Europe, preferably with an EU working permit.

As Secretary General, you will be at the forefront of our mission, providing overall leadership and strategic oversight to ensure our values and goals in environmental advocacy, youth empowerment, and social justice are effectively pursued. Your responsibilities will encompass managerial oversight of the Secretariat, including staff recruitment and development, and acting as the main liaison with the Executive Board. You will also be crucial in financial and project management, fostering key partnerships, representing the organisation internationally, and securing vital structural grants.

We highly encourage all candidates based in the EU, irrespective of their nationality, to apply. Full remote working is possible, depending on being an EU citizen or non-EU. 

Work Arrangements

Contract period: A minimum of 12 months full-time (40 hours per week) employment contract with a strong prospect of prolonging. This role includes a 3-month provisional period.  

Remuneration: 73,150 CZK gross (approximately 2955.80 EUR) per month.

The selected candidate will be provided with an employee contract and typically will be required to pay their taxes in the Czech Republic, depending on their status. For more information please check the following website.

Essential Requirements

Applicants are eligible if they:

Application deadline: 18th August 2025

Your Responsibilities

  • ⚬ Lead the strategic planning process and ensure its implementation across departments and programmes; 
  • ⚬ Provide overall leadership and vision to ensure the NGO’s mission, values, and goals are effectively pursued; 
  • ⚬ Ensure the organisation complies with legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., membership fees, international cooperation, project reports and annual reports); 
  • ⚬ Ensure that the structures and processes within the organisation are kept under review and remain fit for purpose, especially in the light of organisational growth.
  • ⚬ Managerial oversight of the Secretariat, including recruitment, supervision, appraisal and motivation of staff and effective delegation;
  • ⚬ Act as the main liaison between the secretariat and the Executive Board
  • ⚬ Overseeing the integration and establishment of long-term engagement with the member organisations and effective servicing of the General Assembly, Executive Board and other governance bodies.
  • ⚬ Supervise staff and volunteers, ensuring a collaborative, safe, and productive work environment;
  • ⚬ Oversight of financial and project/programme management, working closely with the financial team.
  • ⚬ Represent the organisation at local, national, and international events, coalitions, and with partners or donors; 
  • ⚬ Act as a spokesperson and media contact when needed.
  • ⚬ Acquire and report for the existing structural grants for the organisation, namely from Erasmus+, European Youth Foundation and explore new opportunities  to secure further funding in this regard;
  • ⚬ Sign legal documents (e.g. grant agreements) and communication with the Ministry of Interior (e.g. regarding changes made to the composition of the organisation), as well as other legal entities; 
  • ⚬ Human resources management (Contracts, wages,  salaries and insurance, etc.); 
  • ⚬ Ensure that the external financial audits are on schedule and liaise with the internal auditors on the roadmap.

Ideal Profile

  • Deep commitment to environmental advocacy, youth empowerment and social justice;
  • Proven track record in:
  • Strong organisational and leadership skills, ensuring smooth coordination of organisational activities, meetings, and programme implementation;
  • Managing projects and developing internal working programmes, particularly in youth-led or grassroots settings;
  • Partnership building with stakeholders such as NGOs, funders, EU, UN agencies, or governments;
  • Ability to delegate effectively, while empowering and mentoring young leaders;
  • Overseeing financial processes;
  • Making human resource-related decisions;
  • Non-formal education and human rights education methodology.

Extra Assets

  • Have had previous experience as a Secretary General or a leadership role in a (youth) non-governmental organisation;
  • Have had prior experience facilitating inclusive decision-making processes, particularly in youth-led or peer-led environments;
  • Have had prior experience in developing internal policies and drafting legal statutory documents.

Application Process

Interested candidates should fill in the application form by 18th August 2025.

Interviews will be held in the first weeks of September.

Equal Opportunity

We value diversity and have a strong commitment to a diverse work environment. In cases of equal competence, we give preference to candidates who contribute to this diverse work environment. 

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Environmental Rights Report

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The Environmental Rights Report created by the BeLIFE project consortium looks at how people (especially young people) can stand up for their environmental rights across the EU. It focuses on procedural rights, such as the right to participate in decisions that affect our environment, to access environmental information, and to seek justice when those rights are denied.

Using insights from the EU’s Environmental Implementation Reviews, it examines how the European Green Deal is shaping these rights and what obligations it creates for governments to listen, involve, and respond to the public.

It also links what is happening in Europe with the growing global momentum around the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including at the United Nations.

Summary

Digestible summaries of the report are avaiblable in 6 different languages.

English
Deutsch
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Italiano
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Environmental Defenders in Europe

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As part of the BeLIFE project, we launched a consultation to better understand the realities of environmental and climate defenders across Europe — with a special focus on youth. Through over 90 in-depth responses from 16 countries, this report reveals the challenges they face, the support they need, and their calls for systemic change.

From online harassment and legal intimidation to burnout and lack of institutional support, environmental defenders are facing growing pressure — often without adequate protection. However their messages are also filled with resilience, solidarity, and clear proposals for action.

The summary highlights:

  • The most common threats faced by respondents

  • Urgent needs in terms of funding, legal aid, training, and mental health

  • Youth-specific barriers and proposals for more meaningful inclusion

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Clean air after the AAQD, and now what?

Join Us for a Workshop on the EU’s New Ambient Air Quality Directive!

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Practical information

  • When

    28th November and January 2025

  • Where

    Online and in Brussels

  • Fees

    Fully funded (for YEE Members)

  • How

    Sign up

Funded by

Related project

Breathing for better future

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Have questions? Get in touch!

Why are we doing this

This October, the EU took a bold step by adopting the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), setting one of the most progressive air quality standards globally. Now, we’re bringing together young climate advocates to drive meaningful change across the EU!

What do we have planned?

Join us for two dynamic sessions—a virtual workshop and an in-person event in Brussels—where we’ll cover everything you need to know about the new AAQD and empower young voices for impactful advocacy.

Online Workshop

Date: 28th of November 2024
Time: 17:30 CET

In-Person Workshop

Date: POSTPONED to January 2025
Location: Brussels

What You’ll Gain

  • In-Depth Knowledge: Understand the key developments of the revised AAQD, especially relevant for young climate advocates.
  • Capacity Building: Equip yourself and your organisation with knowledge and skills to combat air pollution and implement the AAQD nationally.
  • Network of Young Advocates: Collaborate with activists from across the EU to strategise for meaningful change.
  • Advocacy & Campaigning Skills: Brainstorm and create advocacy tools to drive national-level campaigns and compliance with air quality standards.
  • Stakeholder Mapping: Identify and map key actors—governments, industry, and civil society—that can support enforcement efforts.

Travel and accommodation will be covered for participants from our Member Organisations

and reimbursed in accordance with our travel policy.

All participants are required to:

  • Live in the EU
  • Be younger than 35 at the time of the event

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