28 August 2012

European Council on Refugees & Exiles (ECRE), Brussels
Advocacy Internship
Deadline for application: 14 September 2012

The European Council on Refugees & Exiles (ECRE), a pan-European Alliance of refugee-assisting non-governmental organisations concerned with the needs of all individuals who seek refuge and protection within Europe, is offering an 11-month Advocacy internship at its Brussels Office. The main purpose of this position is to assist ECRE in fulfilling its organisational objectives by contributing to the achievement of activities within its Activities Plan, to assist ECRE in undertaking effective advocacy work by supporting the Senior Advocacy Officer in the gathering of information, the formulation of policy and the implementation of projects on specific topics relating to the external dimension of asylum and to monitor general policy developments on subjects relevant to ECRE.

Job title: Advocacy Intern

Reports to: Senior Advocacy Officer – External dimension.

Job purpose: To assist ECRE in fulfilling its organisational objectives by contributing to the achievement of activities within its Activities Plan. To assist ECRE in undertaking effective advocacy work by supporting the Senior Advocacy Officer in the gathering of information, the formulation of policy and the implementation of projects on specific topics relating to the external dimension of asylum. To monitor general policy developments on subjects relevant to ECRE.

Key responsibilities
Assist the Senior Advocacy Officer by contributing to:
• Background research using print and media sources;
• Preparation of policy briefings, guidelines, comments, papers and ECRE publications;
• Design and implementation of projects;
• Supporting documentation for meetings, e.g. background papers, and minutes of the meetings;
• Organising events relating to the external dimension of asylum, together with ECRE staff;
Monitor international, EU and national developments in relevant topics;
Attend internal and external meetings, as requested;
Contribute to the preparation of the ECRE Weekly newsletter, together with ECRE media and press staff.

Education
• University degree in law, political or social sciences, human rights, development studies;
• Proven knowledge of and interest in international and EU migration and asylum, human rights, humanitarian and development issues.

Languages
• Fluent written and spoken English;
• Working knowledge of other European languages is an advantage.

Skills
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Experience of having lived and/or worked outside the EU, particularly in developing countries is an advantage;
• Good knowledge of EU institutions is an advantage.

Conditions
• Paid internship for 11 months (bruto 708 €/month) (Belgian Contract–“Contrat belge d’immersion professionelle”);
• The Advocacy Intern will be entitled to 26 days annual leave if he or she has worked for the entire previous year in Belgium. If service during the previous year in Belgium is less than the full year, annual leave will be calculated pro rata. Regardless of the legal entitlement to annual leave in Belgium, ECRE will provide 6 days of extra-legal holidays a year.

Equal opportunity statement: ECRE aims to ensure that no prospective or actual employee is discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation, employment status, class, disability, age, religious belief or political persuasion, or is disadvantaged by any condition or requirement, which is not demonstrably justifiable.

Procedure: To apply, please send the completed application form to apapadopoulou@ecre.org.
Interights, London
Internship Trans Rights in Europe
Deadline for applications: 3 September 2012

Interights is pleased to invite applications from lawyers/academics working on Trans Rights in Europe for a three-month funded internship. The internship will begin on 1 October 2012.


Interights
Established in 1982, Interights works to promote respect for human rights through the use of law. We achieve this through a range of activities: strategic litigation through co-representation, legal support to applicants and third party interventions before international, regional, and national human rights courts and bodies; advising lawyers on the use of international and comparative human rights law before their domestic courts; building capacity through litigation partnerships, targeted training activities and internships, and through the dissemination of legal information. Thematically, our priorities are equality, security and the rule of law (including counter-terrorism), and economic and social rights (ESR). Interights currently focuses its activities in Africa, the Commonwealth, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.

Work
The precise nature of activities will depend on organisational and programme priorities at the time of the placement; however, it is likely that the main areas in which experience will be offered will include:
● Legal research on international and comparative human rights law and practice relating to Trans Rights to support the preparation of briefs before domestic courts and the European Court of Human Rights;;
● Preparation of materials for Interights’ training workshops on Trans Rights;
Assistance on Interights’ publications on Trans Rights;
● Where possible, attendance at meetings with human rights practitioners, lectures, or visits to other international / national human rights organisations based in London.

Time and place
The three-month internship will begin on 1 October 2012 and will be based in London.

Travel costs and stipend
Interights will arrange and pay for travel. The intern will receive a monthly grant of £1,300. Accommodation is not provided but Interights can advise on finding a suitable place to stay.

How to apply
Before applying, applicants must read the attached terms of reference to ensure that they fit the requirements. Please note: applicants must have the right to work in the UK or be able to successfully obtain a visa before the placement. To apply please send a covering letter, a curriculum vitae indicating two referees, a recent writing sample of no more than two thousand words and a completed equal opportunities and diversity monitoring form.
Applications should be sent to Chloë Marong by email to jobs@interights.org. Please enter the title of the internship you are applying for in the subject heading of your email. Due to the high number of application for the internships Interights is unable to contact applicants that have not been short-listed.

Interview
Short-listed candidates may be interviewed by telephone and the interviews will take place on 11 September 2012.

20 August 2012

European Network against Racism (ENAR)
Vacant Position of Policy Officer
Brussels, 2013
The European Network against Racism (ENAR) is recruiting a full-timePolicy Officer for a one-year period which could be extended depending on availability of funds.

Job description
The Policy Officer implements the policy strategy, as developed within ENAR’s annual work plan and as outlined by the Policy Director. The Policy Officer:
● monitors policy developments within the European Institutions and identifies issues of concern for ENAR and its network;
● identifies and assesses new policy initiatives, new draft legislation and any other relevant policy information;
● drafts preliminary policy positions and policy papers;
● develops advocacy initiatives (including policy-related campaigning activities);
● assists the policy unit in promoting the Positive Narrative for Equality and Diversity;
● develops a network with policy makers and politicians and liaises with relevant counterparts, when and where required;
● is involved in the preparation of content for conferences and publications and other ENAR initiatives;
● prepares, drafts and implement special projects such as EU funded ENAR projects and various grant applications;
● supports the Policy Director in the business engagement programme, identifying potential partners, developing project proposals and managing specific business engagement programs;
● works closely with the Policy Director, the other Policy Officer, the Press and Communication Officer and the Networking Officer to ensure consistency in the policy, communication and campaigning work.

Reporting duties
The Policy Officer reports to the Policy Director.

Line management
No line management duties beyond guiding his/her own Intern, if applicable.

Person specification
● Minimum 3 years of proven track record in policy analysis and/or lobbying work at national or international level, of which at least 1 year’s work experience at EU level;
● Extensive knowledge of and at least 1 year’s work experience in an NGO or similar organization;
● Very good understanding of EU legal instruments and EU institutions;
● Good knowledge of human rights, discrimination and/or related issues;
● Outstanding political and analytical skills;
● Good judgment and maturity;
● Strong drafting skills;
● Sound organisational skills;
● Good communication and presentation skills;
● Ability to address a wide range of audiences;
● Ability to prioritise work, to meet deadlines and to work under pressure;
● Good team player;
● Experience of working in a multicultural team;
● Speak and write fluently in English and good knowledge of French;
● Ability and willingness to travel as required;
● Strongly committed to the aims and objectives of ENAR and anti-racism work in general.
ENAR strives for an ethnic and gender balance in its staff and to ensure that opportunities offered are accessible to all regardless of gender, age, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation. ENAR encourages individuals or members of groups which are affected by racial, ethnic or religious discrimination to apply for this post.

Salary
The gross salary is 2,980 € per month, plus benefits (lunch vouchers). Conditions are according to Belgian legislation including the legal ability to live and work in Belgium.

Applications
A complete application contains:
(1) Application form - Part 1 and Part 2 - Please note that Part 1 of this application form is not shared with the selection committee until the interview. Please make sure that your application (Part 2) is anonymous.
(2) Equal opportunities form - Although we would welcome receipt of this form, it is not mandatory. Please do not put your name on this form.
(3) A writing sample (report, article, etc. – English only) of maximum 1.200 words - Please do not put your name on this report or article.
CVs or any European application forms will not be accepted. You are required to use the ENAR application form.  All information given in the application, including the Equal Opportunity monitoring form, will be treated in a confidential manner.

Deadline
All applications should be submitted via e-mail to info@enar-eu.org by 10 September 2012 (midnight Belgian time). Please put ‘Application Policy Officer’ in the subject line.
Please save the documents in the following manner to facilitate our internal processes:
- Application form - Part 1: your first name and family name - home page;
- Application form - Part 2: 01-application;
- Equal opportunities form: 02-equal opp;
- Writing sample: 03-writing sample.
Make sure that your application form (except for the homepage), equal opportunities form and writing sample are anonymous.

Interviews
October 2012. 

Start job
January 2013.

17 August 2012

European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights (EIUC)
Course for International Electoral Observers
Venice, 8–10 November 2012

The European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights (EIUC) is organising a Course for International Electoral Observers. The course aims at providing training to civilian staff in election observation missions at the first steps of their career (i.e. short term observers). Selected applicants will be allowed to become aware of the role, the tasks and the status of international observers, and will be given a theoretical and practical training on election observation and election observation missions functioning.

Observing elections
Observing elections is part of the bedrock of a functioning democracy, which is, in turn, a crucial factor in sustainable development. This requires skilled and trained observers. International election observation plays an important role in international relations since almost thirty years. The Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation adopted by the UN in 2005 is one of the first attempts of the international Community to set up standard rules recognized at international level. Within the EU, the adoption of EU guidelines on preconditions for EU observation missions and a code of conduct for EU electoral observers represented an important step towards enhanced co-ordination within the EU.

Language
All courses will be held in English. It is, therefore, essential that all participants understand and speak English fluently.

Location
Monastery of San Nicolò, Venice Lido (Italy)

Participants
The course is devoted to those applicants with no experience in election observation or to those observers who have participated to a maximum of two missions as short term observers. The aim of the course is to deepen the theoretical and practical expertise on election observation missions, and aims at providing participants with further skills that will be an asset in case of further applications as international observers.
Lectures are conceived for an audience of young graduates mainly in Law, Political Sciences, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology or similar who want to address international election observation from a multi-disciplinary approach that will be useful in further engagements on the field.

Faculty / Lecturers
All lecturers share more than 10 years professional experience in election observation and/or in their specific field. Most of them have already given availability for the period summer-fall 2012:
● Marco Montanari: over 10 years’ experience in electoral observation activities with internationally recognized institutions. Academic Coordinator of the Winter School on electoral observation for ISPI. Actually working in Kabul.
● Ferdinando Lajolo: lLawyer, expert of EC law, he has conducted several electoral observations missions with the EU and ODIHR.
● Demetrio Lazagna: since 1997 he has worked in international cooperation and has conducted missions in the field for UN, OSCE, EU, ODIHR, USAID and various NGOs. He has conducted several electoral observation missions and he is lecturer at the Winter School of ISPI.

Certificate
Participants who will attend the course will receive a certificate of attendance.
The course will introduce the students to election observation starting with introductory remarks followed by lectures in plenum on international legal standards, case studies of EU missions that will look closely into all different steps from the exploratory phase to selection procedures through its internal functioning, the relations with national Authorities and security issues. Participants will often be called to participate to debates with lectures and share their experience and expertise in the subject.

Admission requirements
In order to be eligible, applicants shall:
● hold a degree in Law, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology or similar;
● have a good command of English as a foreign language and a good knowledge of at least another foreign language.

Fees
Enrolment fees amount to 380 with no accommodation or 540 with accommodation.
If you choose the option with no accommodation, the enrolment fee will include:
● tuition fee
● lunches on class days
● reading materials
If you choose the option with accommodation, the enrolment fee will include:
● tuition fee
● lunches on class days
● reading materials
● accommodation in a single room in a hotel on the Lido for 3 nights (7, 8 and 9 november)
You will be able to choose between these two hotels:
The reservation of the room will be done on a first come first serve basis.
Payment of the enrolment fee has to be made after the reception of an email sent by EIUC confirming the acceptance to the course and indicating the payment details. The registration will only be final with the confirmation that the payment of the full enrolment fee has been received by EIUC.
If no payment is made by the deadline, the application will be dismissed.

Resignation policy:
In case of resignation after payment of the enrolment fee in full, you have to submit your cancellation request in writing and the following refund policy applies:
If the cancellation request is received prior to 30 September 2012, EIUC will refund the complete registration fee but will retain an administrative fee of 50 €; if the cancellation request is received between 30 September and 15 October 2012, EIUC will refund only 50% of the registration fee paid; for all cancellation requests received after 15 October 2012 no refund will be due.
EIUC reserves the right to alter any specifics related to the programme (e.g. duration, topic, lecturer) should any unforeseen event require it.
EIUC reserves the right to cancel the course if it does not receive enough admissible applications. In this case EIUC will reimburse the applicants the full fees already paid.
EIUC does not offer scholarships or waivers of the enrolment fee at this point in time.

Procedure
EIUC will review applications on an on-going basis. This way, EIUC aims to give participants as much time as possible for the organisation of visa, travelling and accommodation. Only applications submitted with the provided form will be accepted. The entire application, including the motivation and the CV, has to be submitted in English. Please also include a non-certified English translation of the required proofs, if the original certificates were not issued in English, French, Spanish or Italian.
Please visit this website for more information about visa requirements http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp.

Deadline for applications
30 September 2012.

Questions
For any other query, please contact the Training Seminars Staff: Ms. Alberta Rocca, EIUC External Relations Manager, through training.seminars@eiuc.org. Please use the contact form.

16 August 2012

Front Line Defenders’ EU Office
Vacant Position of Advocacy Officer
Brussels, 2013
The EU Office of Front Line Defenders, an  NGO which was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk, people who work, non-violently, for any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is seeking an Advocacy Officer in order to effectively pursue its advocacy and lobbying work on behalf of human rights defenders at EU level.

In providing protection and support to human rights defenders, Front Line Defenders and its staff are committed to:
- focus on the primacy and centrality of defenders;
- demonstrate profound respect and empathy for defenders;
- meet the needs expressed by the defenders in a fast, flexible and relentless manner;
- achieve tangible impact;
- act with independence, impartiality and integrity;
- perform with dedication, professionalism and accountability;
- show transparency and openness;
- develop participative and cooperative relations.

Work
The work as Advocacy Officer includes tasks such as sending appeals on cases of human rights defenders at risk, ensuring follow-up and tracking results achieved; undertaking advocacy and lobbying actions, in particular through the development of contacts with EU and Member State officials; organising and coordinating events, including visits of human rights defenders.

Prerequisites
The successful candidate will have a relevant academic background, at least two years of human rights related experience, as well as sound knowledge of the functioning of the EU Institutions and the EU human rights instruments. He/She will have excellent oral and written communication skills in English and desirably French - knowledge of Spanish or German is an asset.

Contract
The position of Advocacy Officer is full-time, and is initially a one-year contract. This may be extended to become an unlimited duration contract.

Procedure and deadline
Letter of interest and application form in English must be sent by email to Mr Vincent Forest, Head of EU Office: vincent@frontlinedefenders.org by Friday 7 September 2012. See (a) full job description and (b) application form (and scroll down). Applications with CVs will not be accepted.

15 August 2012

Belgian Committee for Aid to Refugees / Belgisch Comité voor Hulp aan Vluchtelingen
Vacant Position of Lawyer/Jurist
Brussels, 2012.

The Belgian Committee for Aid to Refugees (Belgisch Comité voor Hulp aan Vluchtelingen or BCHV), an NGO active in the field of social and legal support for asylum seekers and refugees and the operational partner of UNHCR in Belgium for legal assistance to asylum seekers and refugees, is seeking a lawyer/jurist for its Project “Legal Aid and Analysis”.

Function
The lawyer will divide his/her time between providing legal assistance to asylum seekers in the context of individual case files and analysing the asylum procedure. He/she will work in a team of 3 lawyers whose main tasks are:
● Securing judicial treatment of cases of asylum seekers: determination of refugee status, subsidiary protection, finding information about the country of origin and formulating reasoned opinions to UNHCR or directly to the asylum authorities to support the case of these applicants;
● Active legal assistance to lawyers and first-line actors in the ambit of asylum;
● Participation in the observance of the legal affairs and the jurisprudence, and the analysis of the available information and the drafting of legal memoranda;
● Participation end follow-up of legal issues as to the asylum procedure and case-law applied in Belgium and of the respect for international treaties and obligations;
● Attend the contact meeting and participation in the drafting of the records of the meeting.


Profile
● University degree in Law (Licence in Law or Master of Laws);
● Bilingual Dutch - French and working knowledge of English;
● Minimum two years experience in the ambit of asylum, preferably in the handling of individual case files;
● Interest in asylum issues;
● Knowledge and experience with the Belgian Aliens Act of 1980 and international law on asylum and human rights;
● Editorial capacities;
● Analysis of legal texts;
● Being able to work on urgent case files.

We offer
● A fascinating work in a pleasant atmosphere;
● A full-time contract for a fixed period of 18 months, starting on 15 September 2012 (renewable together with the project).
● Salary in accordance with qualifications and professional experience.

Applications

Please send your CV and cover letter/letter of motivation by e-mail to jobs@cbar-bchv.be.
For information, call +32 (0)2 5378220 or www.cbar-bchv.be.

Deadline
Before 7 September 2012.
Orelius Lawyers / Orelius Advocaten
Vacant Position of trainee lawyer/advocaat-stagiair(e) with interest in Immigration Law
Brussels, 2012
Orelius is a young and modern law firm, located in the heart of Brussels. To strengthen its team Orelius is looking for a trainee lawyer / advocaat-stagiair(e) (See also: Dutch version of vacancy).

Profile
● Master in Law at a Belgian university;
● Dutch as a mother tongue with good knowledge of French and English; knowledge of another language is an asset;
● Interested in administrative law (immigration law);
● Experience is an asset but no prerequisite;
● Excellent oral and writing skills;
● Good organisational skills, punctual, teamplayer.

What we offer
● A pleasant professional and dynamic environment;
● The necessary training, study materials and assistance;
● A competitive salary in relation to your experience and skills;
A challenging and promising career.

Interested?
Please send your CV and cover letter by e-mail, fax or surface mail to:
William Vandevoorde
Advocaat / Lawyer
Orelius
Louizalaan 363, bus 31
1050 Brussels
T: +32 (0)2 649 77 06
F: +32 (0)2 649 94 50
E: william.vandevoorde@orelius.be