Zero Waste Europe is hiring a Communications Officer for a full-time, 7-month maternity cover starting in early January 2027, based in Belgium with a hybrid split between home and the Brussels office. The role focuses on the visibility of the network and its members and on communication deliverables for several projects. Applications close on 11 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy and set out every duty, requirement and benefit below.
Key Facts About the Position
💼 Position: Communications Officer (full time, 7-months maternity cover)
📍 Location: Belgium based, hybrid between home and the Brussels office
📝 Contract: a full-time, seven month limited duration contract under Belgian law
🗓️ Start date: early January 2027, ideally in the first 2 weeks of January 2027
💶 Salary: 3358 to 3772 EUR brutto range for a 100% FTE, depending on experience and internal salary grid placement
🏠 Work setup: 50/50 split between working from home and from the office
Who Zero Waste Europe Are
Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) is the European network of communities, organisations, local leaders, experts and change agents working towards the elimination of waste in society. It advocates for sustainable systems and the redesign of our relationship with resources, to accelerate a just transition towards zero waste for the benefit of people and the planet.
A Network Across 30 European Countries
The ZWE network now includes 41 members across 30 European countries and works on topics across the whole chain:
🎨 Product design
🔁 Reusability
🏭 End-of-pipe waste management solutions
🧴 The phase-out of plastics
🏙️ Municipal zero waste strategies
Although the scope has expanded significantly, the mission and vision remain the same: a zero waste, fairer, inclusive, circular Europe for all, and for the planet too.
Mission Zero Academy, Break Free From Plastic and GAIA
ZWE describes itself as a successful and fast-growing independent NGO where personal development, fairness and inclusiveness are high on the agenda. It is:
🎓 The proud founder of the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA), which offers Zero Waste certifications to cities, municipalities and, going forward, small businesses
🤝 A founding member of various movements and coalitions hosted under its entity, such as Break Free From Plastic
🌐 The European chapter of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)
The Values Behind the Team
🎯 Purpose-driven: always putting forward a solution-oriented approach.
🚀 Game-changing: challenging the status quo, exploring emerging topics and creating a safe space to succeed and to recover from setbacks.
🌱 Adaptable: constantly striving towards learning and improving, open to change and taking agency.
🧭 Integrity: acting with integrity is seen as crucial to achieve impact and change, both inside and outside the network.
💚 Care: caring deeply about communities, the environment and systemic changes that benefit society as a whole, while also looking after the team's own well-being as a team and as individuals.
Why This Is a Maternity Cover Role
This is a fixed-term cover for one of ZWE's three communications officers, who is going on maternity leave. Together with the Head of Communications, the officers form a small team working across channels and mediums. The team's work includes:
✍️ Editing written publications
📅 Planning a social media calendar
🖥️ Managing the organisation's website
In this role, you will be responsible primarily for the visibility of the network and its members, as well as the communication deliverables of a few projects.
Planning and Running Communications Activities
Together with colleagues, you will plan and execute communications activities, including:
📰 Writing, editing and proofreading communication materials for different channels, such as press releases, blog posts and social media
📬 Writing and producing a monthly newsletter, Zero Waste Cities
🌐 Updating the Zero Waste Europe website
📦 Preparing the publication and distribution of materials
Supporting Network and Project Events
🧑🤝🧑 Supporting the communication around ZWE's network-wide gathering in May
🏛️ The Reuse Expo in Paris in May (marked as to be confirmed)
🚌 Joining a study tour with one of ZWE's members and developing a comms plan around it (marked as to be confirmed)
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🌍 All opportunities in Belgium →
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Leading Promotion of Projects Co-Owned With Members
You will lead the work promoting several projects co-owned by Zero Waste Europe and its members:
📚 Reviewing, editing, helping design and promoting several publications, some of which members will write, in particular case studies about members' work
🔎 Reviewing, editing and promoting other project-related publications
Technical Support and Coordination
🗣️ Coordinating with members on the translations of Zero Waste Europe reports and materials into other languages
💻 Helping colleagues set up webinars, manage registration and provide technical support
The Profile ZWE Is Looking For
You are impact and values driven, able to see the big picture while taking care of the details. You have experience in communications for an NGO, so you know how to collaborate with colleagues and balance competing priorities. You know the EU policy scene and how to influence the conversation, while also being willing to try new and creative things. You thrive when facing complex situations, you are passionate about the zero waste vision and you are well aware of the multiple challenges the world is facing today.
Required Skills and Competencies
📈 At least three years of relevant experience in communications, ideally in the field of sustainability and/or with experience in policy comms
🗂️ Ability to plan, and the flexibility to change plans when needed
📝 Experience editing reports and blog posts in English
📱 Experience managing social media accounts and working with Canva
🤝 Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a cross-cultural environment and sometimes remotely
🌐 Experience working with people from different cultures and nationalities in a way that values community wisdom and facilitates conflict prevention
Preferred Skills and Competencies
🔗 Experience working in coalition settings
🌿 Knowledge of environmental issues in the field of resource and waste management, climate or environmental justice
🗣️ Other languages apart from English are a plus
🛠️ Solid IT competences with collaborative tools: Google Drive, Slack, Zoho
Personal Qualities
💬 Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
⚡ Initiative, self-motivation and being a team player
🧩 A problem-solving attitude and a results-oriented approach
🎯 Commitment to accuracy, efficiency and a high standard of work
🧠 Ability and willingness to use initiative and take decisions under pressure and uncertainty
♻️ A strong commitment to Zero Waste Europe's ethos and network structures
🕰️ Willingness to work with a flexible schedule, as required
Equal Employment Opportunity
ZWE is committed to the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees, regardless of sex, marital status, nationality, religion, age, sexual orientation and any other characteristics unrelated to the performance of the job.
The organisation also recognises that not everyone has the same opportunities to engage in paid work or studies. It is open to applications from people who may not fulfil all the required skills but have the interest, passion, (cap)abilities and drive to fulfil the role, and encourages people from a diverse intersection of backgrounds to apply.
Salary Range for This Role
ZWE offers a competitive remuneration package in line with Brussels NGO standards: 3358 to 3772 EUR brutto range for a 100% FTE, depending on experience and internal salary grid placement.
Benefits Included in the Package
🍽️ Lunch vouchers of €10 per day
🎁 13th month (year end bonus, if applicable)
🏖️ Double holiday pay (Belgian standard)
📆 20 vacation days plus 6 extra-legal holidays, pro-rata based on the contract duration
🏥 Hospitalisation, Ambulatory and Dental Insurance (DKV)
✈️ Travel insurance
🏠 Home working and other allowances of €170.00 net per month
🚆 Reimbursement of public transport costs for local commuting (max €56.00 net per month) upon show of receipts, full reimbursement of train commuting costs within Belgium, and a bike allowance for commuting by bicycle
⏰ Flexible working hours and times and a hybrid work format between home and the Brussels office
ZWE takes pride in its team's ability to support one another's work in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, and looks forward to introducing the successful candidate to its welcoming and highly motivated team and network members.
Right to Work and Relocation
🛂 A valid working permit for Belgium is required, and candidates must have the right to work in Belgium.
🚫 ZWE is not able to provide working permit sponsorships.
🏡 Candidates must live in Belgium or be willing to relocate by the start date.
How to Apply
📎 Prepare your CV with two references and a motivation letter in English (both mandatory), plus work samples if required by the application requirements, all in PDF format.
🗃️ Merge all documents into a single PDF file (accepted file type: pdf, max. file size: 100 MB).
🏷️ Name the file following the "FirstName_LastName_application" format.
🧾 Fill in the application form on the ZWE "Work With Us" page with your first name, last name and email (required) and phone (optional), and upload the file.
💌 Complete the required box "Any additional information you'd like us to know?" with your specific motivation for wanting to work with ZWE. Do not use this box as a replacement for the mandatory cover letter, for intro-style notes or to list your skills again.
✅ Only applications sent via this form will be taken into account.
Rolling Assessment and Interview Steps
The assessment process runs on a rolling basis, so ZWE encourages candidates to submit their applications when ready rather than waiting until the final deadline. Only short-listed candidates are guaranteed to be contacted. The interview process includes:
1️⃣ A first 45-minute online interview, taking place in the first 2 weeks following the application deadline
2️⃣ A possible second interview and/or a 60-minute assignment before a final decision
Any assignment covers previous materials or needs of Zero Waste Europe and is used purely to assess how candidates think about core tasks for this role. ZWE does not ask candidates to provide ideas or work on upcoming projects or activities as part of the assignment. The organisation aims for a two-way conversation during the interview, so be truthful and ask your questions.
Find more roles like this in the Jobs section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Zero Waste Europe Communications Officer contract?
It is a full-time, fixed-term contract of 7 months under Belgian law, covering one of the three communications officers during maternity leave. The ideal start date is in the first 2 weeks of January 2027.
Is this role remote or office-based?
The position is Belgium based and hybrid, with a 50/50 split between working from home and from the Brussels office. Flexible working hours and times are part of the package.
What is the salary for this position?
The gross range is 3358 to 3772 EUR for a 100% FTE, depending on experience and internal salary grid placement. Benefits such as lunch vouchers, a 13th month (if applicable), double holiday pay and insurance come on top.
Can non-Belgian residents apply?
Candidates must have the right to work in Belgium and a valid working permit, as ZWE cannot sponsor work permits. You must live in Belgium or be willing to relocate by the start date.
How much communications experience do I need?
ZWE asks for at least three years of relevant experience in communications, ideally in sustainability and/or policy comms. The organisation is also open to applicants who do not meet every requirement but have the interest, passion and drive for the role.
What documents should I upload?
Upload your CV with two references and a mandatory motivation letter in English, plus work samples if required, merged into a single PDF named "FirstName_LastName_application". The file can be up to 100 MB.
Can I use the additional information box instead of a cover letter?
No. The box is for a short note on your specific motivation for working with ZWE, and the cover letter remains mandatory. It should not be used for intro-style notes or to list your skills again.
Should I wait until the deadline to apply?
No. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, so ZWE encourages candidates to apply as soon as they are ready. Only short-listed candidates are guaranteed to be contacted.
What does the selection process look like?
It starts with a 45-minute online interview in the first 2 weeks after the deadline. A second interview and/or a 60-minute assignment based on previous ZWE materials may follow before a final decision.
Deadline
⏳ 11 November 2026
Link
🔗 Apply (Work With Us form): https://zerowasteeurope.eu/join-us/work-with-us/
