Policy and Advocacy Internship

About the International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee Belgium is part of the IRC global network, which has offices across seven European countries. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian relief and development organisations. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and rebuild their lives. The IRC delivers emergency aid, protects children, provides health care, prevents and responds to violence against women and girls, safeguards human rights and helps to kick-start economic recovery. Working in more than 40 countries, the IRC has restored hope and opportunity to many millions of people.

The International Rescue Committee Belgium represents the IRC’s global network, leading on the IRC's engagement with the EU institutions. Our priority is to ensure that EU policy and legislation meets the needs of those affected by conflict and disaster. We use the IRC’s learning and experience to ensure that EU funding is targeted effectively, and to help shape the EU’s humanitarian, development and migration policies in order to improve the lives of vulnerable people worldwide.

The IRC is looking for two Policy and Advocacy Interns for the Brussels office, starting as soon as possible. Both interns would be part of the IRC Policy and Advocacy team, while supporting other issues covered by the Brussels office.

- One role will report to the Advisor in Refugee Resettlement, Protection and Integration. It will primarily support IRC policy and advocacy work on the internal dimension of EU asylum and migration policies, and work in close cooperation with the IRC’s programmes in Greece and across Europe.

- One role will report to the Advisor in Conflict, Migration and Development. It will primarily support IRC policy and advocacy work on the external dimension of EU policies in relation to conflict, migration and development, including work on mixed migration along the Central Mediterranean Route.

Please indicate in your application for which role you would prefer to be considered.

Duration: 6 months, full-time internship

Start date: As soon as possible

Role and duties

The interns’ main responsibilities will be to:

- Assist with research on how the EU and EU Member States address migration, asylum, forced displacement, integration and other humanitarian/development issues in their external and internal policies.

- Monitor and analyse the latest developments in EU Institutions, Member States and the media for relevant humanitarian aspects and ensure this information is shared with relevant colleagues. - Assist with drafting and disseminating reports, briefings, letters, minutes and all relevant external and internal documents, including supporting media outreach. - Assist with maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders in EU institutions, Permanent Representations, International Organisations and NGOs; attend and report on relevant meetings / events as required. - Assist in the organisation of events, meetings and conferences, with both internal and external stakeholders. - The role will also need to liaise with other departments and offices in IRC Europe including Communications, IRC Hellas, IRC UK and IRC Deutschland as required.

Profile

- Graduate Degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations, Humanitarian Studies or a relevant field. - Strong understanding of the functioning of EU institutions, particularly the EU’s External Action and the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), including a broad understanding of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, and/or migration partnerships with key countries of origin and transit. - Experience of working with/in the European Parliament, the European External Action Service, DG HOME, DG DEVCO or DG ECHO is considered an asset. - Knowledge about issues related to refugee protection, migration policy and humanitarian aid is highly desirable. - Familiarity with current debates on humanitarian and development issues in the EU and its relations with partner countries. - Strong research, analysis and reporting skills, with excellent writing skills and the ability to undertake research quickly and write under pressure. - Strong organisational skills, with an eye for detail and a demonstrated ability to multi-task and plan ahead. - Strong communication skills, including excellent (spoken and written) English required; proficiency in French or German is considered an asset. - Proactive and able to work well independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, challenging non-profit setting. - Excellent interpersonal skills, friendly personable manner, with ability to work in a multinational team.

The application closing date is on Sunday 28 August at 22:00 UTC.

Conditions: We offer a contract under Belgian law (“Contrat d’immersion professionnelle”) and transportation benefits. The applicant must be legally entitled to work in Belgium.

IRC Belgium strives to be an equal opportunities employer. IRC Belgium is deeply committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees, regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels of the organisation and for it to become more representative of all sections in society. We therefore particularly welcome applications from communities that are underrepresented across the humanitarian sector.

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