ADVOCACY, POLICY AND RESEARCH INTERNSHIP WITH IRC BELGIUM

Background The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a non-profit voluntary agency providing assistance to refugees, displaced persons and other populations uprooted or affected by conflict and disaster around the world. This assistance takes the form of relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy.

The International Rescue Committee is established in Brussels to ensure representation, networking and act as a resource on EU external aid policies to IRC affiliates and country offices worldwide and to see that IRC’s advocacy and policy positions are heard.

The IRC is looking for an Advocacy, Policy and Research Intern for the Brussels office.

Duration: 6 to 9 months, full-time internship, starting at short notice.

Intern duties • Assist with research on how the EU addresses gender-based violence and/or refugee protection in European external relations. • Monitor and analyse the latest developments in the European Institutions, Member States and the media for relevant humanitarian aspects. • Assist in formulating advocacy and positions papers, drafting press releases, translating reports, updating the website and liaising with NGOs, networks, etc. • Assist in the organisation of meetings and conferences with NGOs and EU Institutions. • Attend relevant meetings and conferences with donors, policy-makers and other partners, as requested. • Perform other duties as needed, such as organising travel, translating, proofreading, verifying references, summarizing, helping with presentational as well as administrative tasks.

Profile • Graduate student in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Relations, Humanitarian Studies or a relevant field. • Good understanding of the EU institutions and specifically of the EU’s external relations. • Knowledgeable about the issue of violence against women and/or refugee protection, both in European external relations, highly desirable. • Familiar with current debates on humanitarian and development issues in the EU and its relations with third countries. • Strong research, analysis and reporting skills, with excellent writing skills. • Excellent (spoken and written) English required, combined with fluent French and/or Dutch. • Proactive and able to work well independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, challenging non-profit setting.

Conditions: We offer interns a monthly stipend as will be explained during the interview.

Please send your application (CV and cover letter in 4 pages maximum) by 21st October 2011 to: IRC Belgium, Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés/Oud Korenhuis 16, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, infobrussels@theirc.org. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.