Policy and Advocacy Assistant

Position description

CONCORD is seeking a highly-motivated young professional to join the Policy and Advocacy Team as a trainee with a keen interest in human development and equality – in particular gender equality.

ROLE SPECIFICATION

We are looking for a young professional who is passionate, motivated, creative, cooperative, and committed and would like to gain valuable work experience and contribute to the work of a confederation of NGOs whose vision is of a world in which poverty and inequality have been ended; in which decisions are based on social justice, gender equality and upon our responsibility to future generations; where every person has the right to live in dignity, sustainably, on an equal basis, free from poverty.

As a trainee, you will support CONCORD’s Policy and Advocacy work. You will work within our Policy and Advocacy team under the supervision of our Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser to support CONCORD’s work on reducing inequalities, with a strong focus on gender equality, and to provide some general support to the policy and advocacy team as required and in accordance with CONCORD’s priorities for 2025.

Main learning objectives

• You will be able to acquire a good understanding of decision-making processes in the EU institutions as well as the ways of working in an EU NGO confederation, bringing together networks and national platforms from across the European Union.
• You will be able to obtain knowledge about EU development policies, both a general overview as well as more detailed knowledge of policies in the areas of tackling inequalities, human development and gender equality.
• You will be able to enhance your coordination skills, process and project management skills and organisational skills.
• You will be able to learn more about policy analysis and advocacy processes, including drafting relevant documents, enhancing the engagement of members in order to develop and advocate for CONCORD’s positions, monitoring EU institutional policy processes, drafting minutes of meetings, and learn about the political process.
• All while working in an international, multicultural environment.

Main responsibilities and tasks

The role involves supporting the implementation of CONCORD’s policy and advocacy objectives, coordinating our members in the collective policy and advocacy work vis-à-vis EU institutions, under the supervision of our Senior Inequalities Adviser and Senior Gender Equality Adviser.

Policy and advocacy work:

• Participate in and contribute to the coordination within the Policy and Advocacy team and with other teams in CONCORD;
• Support the organisation of meetings and events;
• Monitor relevant EU policies and processes;
• Support projects within working groups and the drafting of joint positions and analyses;
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and management within working groups and CONCORD’s wider membership;
• Other relevant policy, advocacy and project tasks.

Staff coordination and work:

• Participate in staff coordination meetings and contribute to generic staff work.

Qualification and Experience

Education/Training:

• University Degree or equivalent in development studies, political science, EU or other relevant studies.

Technical Skills/Expertise:

• Knowledge of the functioning of the European Union institutions and EU policy-making processes;
• Knowledge and/or strong interest in human development and inequalities overall is essential, with specific knowledge of gender equality, and the EU’s international cooperation and sustainable development policies in those fields an asset;
• Knowledge and/or strong interest in EU and MS official development assistance (ODA) trends, or development funding is an asset;
• Good analysis, writing and reporting skills;
• Good spoken and written English.

Profile of the ideal candidate:

• Ability to organise one’s own work and manage one’s own time;
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with others and towards shared objectives;
• Ability to work under pressure and to achieve tight deadlines;
• Analytical and problem solving skills;
• Attention to detail and curiosity;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Eager to take initiative;
• Strong computer skills.

 

Application instructions

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