EU Policy and Advocacy Manager
EU Policy and Advocacy Manager
YFJ - European Youth Forum
Brussels, Belgium
Deadline for application (02/05/2021) (23h59 CET)
The European Youth Forum is the platform of youth organisations in Europe. We represent over 100 youth organisations, which bring together tens of millions of young people from all over Europe.
The Youth Forum works to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives by representing and advocating their needs and interests and those of their organisations. In the current uncertain political and social context that affects young people, they can be powerful catalysts for positive change and contributors of innovative solutions to Europe’s challenges.
The position
The European Youth Forum is looking for a EU Policy & Advocacy Manager to join the External Affairs Department. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the External Affairs Director to support our External Affairs and Policy and Advocacy work.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership
- Lead, design and implement the European Youth Forum’s strategic partnership approach towards the European Union;
- Lead on at least one policy topic or project;
- Report to and support the External Affairs Director- Policy and Advocacy in the management of the External Affairs Department.
Policy & Advocacy
- Work with the European Commission, European Council and Council of the European Union (with a particular focus on EU presidencies), as well as European Parliament;
- Identify opportunities for EU advocacy on priority topics and coordinate with relevant team members for follow-up;
- Lead the Youth Forum’s advocacy engagement on the Conference on the Future of Europe (year 1);
- Co-lead the Youth Forum’s work related to funding for youth organisations;
- Represent the Youth Forum and promote the Youth Forum’s positions in external meetings and events;
- Build a strong network of contacts externally (towards institutions and other European civil society stakeholders) and internally (with the membership of the European Youth Forum);
- Contribute to the development of the annual plan of the European Youth Forum and ensure that the objectives of the Annual Plan related to this position are met within the agreed timeframe;
- Coordinate the organisation of relevant meetings and conferences;
- Oversee execution of the budget allocated to the working area;
- Draft briefings, reports, working and strategy papers as well as articles for internal and external European Youth Forum publications;
- Coach senior leadership and team members for high level EU meetings;
- Ensure ongoing and regular coordination with the European Youth Forum Board for areas under this portfolio;
- Ensure capacity building, coordination, and collaboration with European Youth Forum Member Organisations on issues related to the EU and advocacy towards the EU;
- Provide support to management, including hiring and training new team members, as well as to other colleagues and departments of the European Youth Forum as appropriate and necessary.
PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
- At least 4 years of working experience in advocacy with an NGO or relevant international organisations towards EU institutions;
- Proven knowledge and expertise in EU institutional advocacy;
- Degree in social sciences, such as political sciences, international relations, economics or law or equivalent work experience;
- Proven ability to produce advocacy materials and to develop mechanisms to share and manage advocacy information and knowledge;
- Experience in advocacy on youth and/or social policy is a definite asset;
- Knowledge and expertise in EU funding opportunities for youth organisations is a definite asset;
- Knowledge and expertise in institutional advocacy;
- Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are required, French is an asset;
- Ability to develop and implement complex advocacy strategies;
- Ability to develop and build a strong network of institutional and other partners and to advocate effectively;
- Excellent strategic thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills;
- Excellent planning and organization skills;
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and manage a challenging workload;
- Ability to identify, process and analyse relevant information from multiple sources quickly;
- Excellent research, writing and communication skills;
- Excellent interpersonal skills;
- Experience in people management is an asset;
- Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team on common projects;
- Computer literacy, with good working knowledge of word processing, email and online applications;
- Committed to the European Youth Forum’s vision and mission.
TERMS OF THE CONTRACT
We offer an open-ended contract ,full time (35 hours per week). The gross monthly salary according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement currently applied at the European Youth Forum) is €3,200.
A relocation package, hospitalisation insurance and other benefits are available.
Travel expenses within the Brussels region are covered by the European Youth Forum.
Candidates to this position should be willing to travel and work flexible hours including if required occasional weekends. This position being based in Brussels candidates should be willing to relocate or live in the surrounding area.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To submit your application for this vacancy, please use the European Youth Forum online recruitment system: http://recruitment.youthforum.org.
How to apply with the online application system?
- Create a user account: click on "Registration" and fill in your personal details;
- Go to the "private area” and login with your username and password;
- Click on the vacancy and apply;
- Respond to our application questions and upload your CV.
Interviews for this vacancy will be held mid-April and the successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible.
Due to the high number of applications usually received for European Youth Forum vacancies, only candidates short-listed for interviews will be contacted. All candidates are kindly requested to refrain from any phone inquiries.
RECRUITMENT POLICY
Anti-discrimination
All appointments should be made in a transparent way and comply with all relevant employment regulations. No job applicant or employee should receive less favorable treatment on the ground of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, gender, gender identity, marital status, caring responsibilities, sexual orientation, disability or chronic illness.
Work permit
All applicants, whether EU or non-EU citizens, are considered equally. the Youth Forum welcomes all nationalities and will take any work permit request at its charge.
Volunteering
Any relevant volunteering experience is considered equal to any other professional experience.
Conflict of interest
All applicants should be informed and should inform the Youth Forum of any possible conflict of interest. Selected candidates should be aware that working and/or volunteering for a Member Organisation of the European Youth Forum, institutions, political parties or other representative civil society organisations at the European level might not be compatible with working at the Youth Forum.
