SOS Children’s Villages International / EU Office
Two paid traineeships
Brussels, September 2012 – February 2013 (6 months)

SOS Children’s Villages International (SOS CVI) offers two full-time traineeship positions in Brussels, one focusing on policies and programmes in Europe (Trainee – Europe) and the second on EU external actions (Trainee – EU external). The trainees will report to the EU Representative.

Responsibilities, tasks and skill requirements for both traineeships
►General tasks and responsibilities
● Assist in the advocacy and policy work of the EU Office;
● Provide support for the organisation of meetings, seminars and other events;
● Represent SOS CVI in external meetings in the EU institutions and NGO networks;
● Contribute to the monthly EU office update and other internal newsletters;
● Assist in the support given by the EU office to SOS CVI’s regional and national organisations.

►Skill requirements
● Advanced degree in political sciences, social sciences, international development or any other specific field relevant to the work of SOS CVI;
● A good understanding of the functioning of the European Union;
● A very good command of both written and spoken English. Additional European languages are considered an asset;
● Effective communication skills, networking capacity and intercultural sensitivity;
● Ability to work in close cooperation with a variety of stakeholders;
● Open-minded, flexible, with patience and a sense of humour;
● Fully computer literate; skilled and confident user of office applications such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail and calendar applications;
● Other requirement: EU citizenship or in possession of a valid labour permit for Belgium.

Trainee – Europe: specific tasks and skill requirements
You will support the organisation in a set of activities to promote the rights of children in alternative care and the social inclusion of young people in Europe. In that regard, a good understanding of the EU social and/or youth policies and related mechanisms is required. Good knowledge and understanding of the EU financial framework in these fields is an asset.

Trainee - EU external: specific tasks and skill requirements
You will support the work of the EU office to advocate for the rights of children in EU external action and to engage in the post-2015 agenda (follow up to the Millennium Development Goals). In that regard, good knowledge of EU development policies is required. Understanding of the EU development aid financial framework is an asset.

Salary range

Standard remuneration.

How to apply?
Submit your CV and covering letter explaining your motivation and suitability for the position to: brusselsrepresentative@sos-kd.org. Please state the position you are applying for in the subject of the email (“Trainee – Europe” or “Trainee – EU external”). Note: only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Deadline for application
The deadline for application is 19 July 2012.