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Caritas Europa is the network of 49 Caritas organisations in 46 European countries. It is one of the seven regions of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of more than 165 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations. Our vision is of a civilisation of love and justice where every human person can flourish and live in peace and dignity as part of one human family. Caritas Europa has a heartfelt commitment to fight poverty and social exclusion; and to promote true integral human development, social justice and sustainable social systems in Europe and throughout the world. Caritas Europa advocates for, and with people in need in order to transform society into a more just and inclusive civilisation. Caritas Europa promotes analysis, innovation, and mutual learning.

With a view to further strengthen the network, the Caritas Europa (CE) Secretariat, based in Brussels is seeking to recruit a (m/f) Policy and Advocacy Officer - Social and Economic Policy.

We are looking for a full-time Policy and Advocacy Officer (Social and Economic Policy) who will contribute to the overarching values, priorities and goals of Caritas in Europe and who will:

• Monitor EU social and financial policy developments with a focus on inclusive labour markets, European Semester process, Multiannual Financial Framework, among others;
• Carry out research, analyse and develop policy positioning;
• Advocate Caritas Europa’s key policy positions;
• Lobby relevant policy-makers in EU Institutions and in the Council of Europe;
• Network and contribute in relevant NGO platforms and specific working groups;
• Participate in external and internal activities, including public campaigning actions;
• Contribute to advocacy capacity building activities for Member Organisations of Caritas Europa;
• Support the work of Caritas Europa’s working structures (Action Group, Reference Network and possible task forces) related to the social and financial policies and relations with Caritas Internationalis;
• Foster the engagement of the working structures and member organisations to contribute to CE policy shaping processes;
• Represent the organisation within the mandate given by the CE Policy and Advocacy Director;
• Contribute to the internal coherence of the Advocacy Unit and the CE team;
• Complete any other task assigned by the Policy and Advocacy Director or Secretary General.

The Policy and Advocacy Officer, part of the Advocacy Unit, reports to the CE Policy and Advocacy Director.

Profile:

• University degree (BA or MA) in the field of social policy, EU studies, economics, or similar related field;
• At least 4 years of relevant working experience;
• Knowledge of EU institutions and their functioning;
• Knowledge and understanding of EU development policies;
• Ability to analyse policy developments and draft policy positions/recommendations, with proven experience in drafting briefing notes, position papers, advocacy papers;
• Writing skills: briefing notes, position papers, advocacy papers;
• Knowledge of advocacy methodology, techniques and tools;
• Result oriented: knowledge and application of Project Cycle Management;
• Networking skills: ability to link to policy makers and other stakeholders and strengthen collaboration of Caritas members and regions;
• Communication skills: fluency in English (both written and spoken), and preferably other language competencies as well;
• Ability to work autonomously and to take initiatives;
• Be organised, compliant and detailed, while working under pressure and respecting deadlines;
• Reporting and moderation/facilitation skills;
• Familiarity with Catholic Social Teaching (CST);
• Ability to work and create a supportive environment in an international team, in need of intercultural competence;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Willingness to undertake some travel and to work on flexible hours when required;
• Computer skills and experience in working with Microsoft Office software.

The Caritas Europa Secretariat promotes diversity in the team. It is committed to equal opportunities and will ensure that no applicant is discriminated against through a condition or requirement which cannot be objectively justified.

Starting date: Ideally 29 June 2020 - but negotiable.

Our offer:

We offer a challenging experience in Brussels with the possibility to influence European policy to make a difference for people experiencing poverty, marginalisation or vulnerability and to contribute to the development of the European Caritas network, working in an international team within one of the key European stakeholders in fighting poverty and social exclusion.

We offer a full time permanent contract in line with our salary scheme and with extra legal benefits (hospitalisation and pension insurance, lunch vouchers, contribution to public transport).

If you are interested, please submit the following documents:

1. Motivation letter (max 1 page);
2. CV (in English).

By 15 April 2020 23:59 Brussels time CET (Brussels time) to:

Secretary General, Maria Nyman: secretary-general@caritas.eu and Policy Director, Shannon Pfohman spfohman@caritas.eu, mentioning in the subject: “Application for Social and Economic Policy Officer”.

We sincerely thank in advance all candidates who show their interest in Caritas Europa by applying to this position. However, please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Caritas Europa is committed to safeguarding people from exploitation and abuse in its work and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, volunteers, consultants, service providers and other organisational representatives.

Any candidate offered a job with Caritas Europa will be expected to sign the Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of our safeguarding policy.

this job offer is not open for applications