EFESME, the European Federation for Elevators Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aisbl, is hiring a Policy Advisor: EU Affairs & Association Management for its Brussels office. The full-time role (38 hours per week) runs under a Belgian law contract, starts in December 2026 and comes with a competitive salary package including 13.9 monthly remuneration. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: applications close on 20 October 2026.
Who Is EFESME?
EFESME represents the interests of SMEs in the European lift sector at European and international level. Its work covers EU policy, legislation, regulation and technical standardisation. EFESME describes itself as the European SMEs voice in the lift industry, representing and defending at EU level the interests of SMEs operating in the lift business. It presents itself as "The Voice of lift Crafts and SMEs in Europe", with the line "EFESME: Giving Europe's lift SMEs a voice."
Who Does EFESME Speak For?
Thanks to its national members, EFESME speaks for the whole range of lift SMEs and carries their voice at European and international level:
🔧 Installers
🏗️ Contractors
🏭 Manufacturers
⚙️ Component producers
What Makes This Role Special?
The position offers the opportunity to work directly with European institutions, sector stakeholders, member organisations and technical experts. It combines EU policy work with association management in a specialised and international environment, inside the Brussels office of a European federation.
Key Responsibilities: EU Policy and Standardisation
📊 Monitor and analyse EU policies, legislation and regulatory developments relevant to the lift sector and SMEs.
📐 Follow relevant European and international standardisation activities and assess their impact on EFESME members.
✍️ Draft position papers, policy briefs, consultation responses, meeting notes and other policy documents.
Key Responsibilities: Advocacy and Representation
📣 Support EFESME's advocacy and stakeholder engagement with EU institutions, European associations and other relevant organisations.
🎤 Represent EFESME, when requested, in meetings, conferences, working groups and events.
🔄 Coordinate and consolidate input from members and technical experts, ensuring appropriate follow-up.
Key Responsibilities: Running the Association
🗓️ Support the organisation of Board meetings, General Assemblies, working groups and events.
📰 Contribute to EFESME's communication activities and European projects.
🗂️ Support the day-to-day management of the Association, including basic administrative and financial tasks such as invoices, expenses, documentation and correspondence.
What Profile Is EFESME Looking For?
EFESME is looking for a proactive and well-organised professional with:
🎓 A university degree in Law, Economics, Political Science, European Studies, Public Policy or a related field.
💼 At least 2 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in EU affairs, a European association, public affairs or an international organisation.
🇪🇺 Good knowledge of EU institutions and decision-making processes.
🧠 Excellent analytical, drafting and communication skills.
🗣️ Excellent written and spoken English.
🧭 Ability to work independently, manage several priorities and cooperate effectively with members and experts.
💻 Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365.
🧾 Basic knowledge of administrative and financial procedures.
Assets That Strengthen Your Application
🤝 Experience in a European trade/SME association.
📏 Knowledge of CEN/ISO/ETSI or other standardisation activities.
💬 Knowledge of another EU language.
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Working Conditions at a Glance
⏱️ Working time: full-time, 38 hours/week
📍 Location: Brussels
📄 Contract: Belgian law
🚀 Start: December 2026
Salary and Benefits
EFESME offers a competitive salary package, including 13.9 monthly remuneration and additional benefits, in accordance with applicable conditions. The vacancy does not state a specific salary figure.
Who Can Apply: Right to Work in Belgium
Applicants must have the right to work in Belgium. The vacancy does not mention visa or work permit sponsorship, so candidates should already hold this right before applying.
EFESME's Areas of Work
EFESME, together with its members and experts, carries out a wide range of activities in support of SMEs, and not only from a technical-normative point of view. The areas in which it is currently involved:
🛡️ The defence and promotion of SMEs in the technical-normative field.
🔐 Digitalisation and cybersecurity in lift systems.
📘 A constant commitment to develop standards and norms that are SME friendly.
📈 Encouraging an increasing participation of SMEs.
Future Projects on EFESME's Agenda
Other activities that will be the basis for future projects in the years to come:
🏢 The development of a more entrepreneurial society, in which SMEs play an even more fundamental role.
📋 More and more SME-friendly standards.
🛒 A true implementation of the single market, in which SMEs can thrive.
👷 Safer and more highly qualified personnel, to support SMEs in their daily work.
📲 Support for digitalisation, a tool increasingly present in everyday work.
EFESME's Seven Objectives
1️⃣ To open dialogue with other European organisations from the lift or related sectors, in drafting shared political and technical positions for submission to European Institutions as a "sole voice" of the lift sector.
2️⃣ To encourage the active participation of SMEs in the decision-making processes, whether at national, European, international, technical (standardisation) or political level.
3️⃣ To develop functional actions in support of the establishment of National SME Associations, where they are still non-existent, in order to provide the necessary assistance to successfully cope with EU methodology and structure.
4️⃣ To set up an information exchange framework encouraging a permanent dialogue among its members.
5️⃣ To promote collaboration and cooperation with other European actors, and to create networks to support SMEs.
6️⃣ To work with European institutions to promote SME-friendly legislation and decision-making.
7️⃣ To define common initiatives between member organisations in order to promote national debates on European issues.
Who Can Join EFESME?
🏛️ Full members: National SMEs Associations from the European Economic Area that are legally established and pre-eminently operating in the lift sector or in related services.
🏪 Associate members: Small and medium-sized enterprises from EU Member States where a national lift SMEs Association is not present, or where the national organisation does not participate in EFESME's initiatives or does not represent SMEs.
How to Apply
📝 Prepare your CV and motivation letter.
👤 Send them by email to Mr. Massimo Bezzi, EFESME's President.
✉️ Use the subject line: "Policy Advisor – Vacancy EFESME".
📅 Send your application by 20 October 2026.
📞 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Find more roles like this in our jobs listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the EFESME Policy Advisor based?
The role is based at EFESME's Brussels office in Belgium. The position involves working directly with European institutions, sector stakeholders, member organisations and technical experts.
What kind of contract does EFESME offer?
The position is a full-time job of 38 hours per week under Belgian law. The expected start is December 2026.
How much experience do I need?
You need at least 2 years of relevant professional experience. Experience in EU affairs, a European association, public affairs or an international organisation is preferred.
Which degrees are accepted?
EFESME asks for a university degree in Law, Economics, Political Science, European Studies, Public Policy or a related field. Good knowledge of EU institutions and decision-making processes is also required.
Is the Policy Advisor role paid?
Yes. EFESME offers a competitive salary package including 13.9 monthly remuneration and additional benefits, in accordance with applicable conditions. No specific salary figure is given in the vacancy.
Can I apply without the right to work in Belgium?
No. Applicants must have the right to work in Belgium. The vacancy does not mention any visa or work permit support.
Do I need technical knowledge of lifts or standards?
It is not a requirement, but knowledge of CEN/ISO/ETSI or other standardisation activities is listed as an asset. Experience in a European trade/SME association and knowledge of another EU language are also assets.
What should I include in my application?
Send your CV and motivation letter by email to Mr. Massimo Bezzi, EFESME's President, with the subject line "Policy Advisor – Vacancy EFESME". The email address is listed in the Links section of this post.
Will I hear back if I am not selected?
EFESME states that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, so not every applicant will receive a reply.
Deadline
⏳ 20 October 2026
Links
📧 Application email: bezzi@efesme.org
🌐 EFESME vacancy page: https://www.efesme.org/vacancy.html
