Communication and advocacy officer: civic space

PAID TRAINEESHIP OFFER – CONVENTION D’IMMERSION PROFESSIONNELLE

Communication and advocacy officer: civic space

Who we are?

The European Civic Forum (ECF) is a transnational network that brings together over 100 associations and NGOs across 27 countries in Europe and is actively working to promote civic and popular ownership of Europe, to foster citizens’ participation and the emergence of a European public space where the role and influence of civil society are fully recognized though the setting up of a genuine European civil dialogue.

What we stand for?

Since its creation in 2005, the European Civic Forum has been particularly work­ing to:

• Enable civic participation through citi­zens’ associations and movements for a Europe grounded on Equality, Soli­darity and Democracy that guarantees effective access to rights for all
• Support the structuring of European civil society movement through alli­ance building, collective thinking and joint campaigning for the common good
• Fight for the institutional recognition of civil society through the setting up of a genuine European civil dialogue
• Monitor and analyse the evolution of civil society space in Europe via the Civic Space Watch

How we take action?

• We connect civil society actors transnationally and cross-sectorally through conferences, forums, alliances, working groups
• We participate in civil dialogue struc­tures at European level
• We run campaigns for the recognition of civil society organisations in the policy making process at European, national or local level

Please feel free to visit our website (as well as Civic Space Watch) and read our last annual report for more information about ECF and our activities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The ECF secretariat is composed of a small but dynamic and multi-task team, responsible for the implementation of the work programme and the day-to-day management of the network. We are currently seeking a civic space officer with good knowledge of fundamental rights and EU policies, and possibly experience in the NGO sector, able to work effectively in English and French.

The civic space officer will be reporting to the ECF research and advocacy officer and contribute to support ECF Brussels office in the daily monitoring of civic space and democracy-related issues. The post holder will more particularly support the background research related to ECF advocacy. This may include contributing to communications materials, proof-reading, taking notes at meetings, assisting with events management or other tasks.

Main responsibilities:

• Daily monitoring of relevant issues linked to civic space and civil dialogue;
• Support external communication (update the websites with articles and interviews, preparation of newsletters);
• Support the organisation of ECF events;
• Support the research (on Civic Space Watch and the annual civic space report) and advocacy towards European institutions.

The job description gives a general outline of the main tasks and responsibilities and is not exhaustive.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Knowledge of issues linked to fundamental rights, democracy and rule of law;
• Interest in the functioning of the European Union and European policies;
• Experience and interest in the NGO sector;
• Excellent command of English both in writing and speaking (working languages);
• Good writing and analytical skills;
• Adaptability, high level of autonomy, good organisational skills;
• Ability to work within a European membership-based organisation;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability for meetings’ facilitation;
• Good knowledge and effective use of WordPress and mailing tools (especially Mailchimp).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. Location

Post holder will join the permanent staff team based in Brussels (rue du Congrès 13) and currently composed of a Membership officer, a Research and Advocacy officer and a Communication and Community Building officer. He/She will be under the responsibility of the Research and Advocacy officer.

2. Duration

6 months renewable under a Convention d’Immersion Professionnelle, starting as soon as possible.

3. Remuneration

1000 € Gross

4. Working hours

Full time position: 38 hours per week (5 days), office working hours 9.30 – 18.00 (from Monday to Friday). This position requires some flexibility of working hours, mainly due to traveling.

TO APPLY

Please send your application (CV and covering letter in EN and FR) by e-mail to Alexandrina Najmowicz ([email protected]) by 24 May 2021 at the latest.

Please note that we will be able to contact only short listed candidates.

Interviews with selected candidates will take place during the first two weeks of June.