Inclusion Europe, Brussels
Policy Officer
Deadline for application: 25 April 2016

Inclusion Europe is the European Association of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families. The association fights for equal rights and full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in all aspects of life.

Inclusion Europe has a vacancy for a Policy Officer.
Overall purpose of the postThe Policy Officer develops, coordinates and implements policies and actions of Inclusion Europe under the supervision of the Director primarily in, but not limited to, the following policy areas:
• rights of children, young people and women with intellectual disabilities
• participation of people with intellectual disabilities
• accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities

On the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), the focus of the work is on policies, advocacy and generating new opportunities. The Policy Officer works with other colleagues to involve and engage Inclusion Europe’s members and stakeholders in the policy making process and manages projects in these policy areas.

Key roles of the Policy Officer
Policy developer
• Develops and coordinates the policy input of Inclusion Europe and its members into the CRPD implementation process, with a view to ensuring common positions on all relevant topics.
• Is informed about policy processes of all relevant stakeholders, including the European institutions, the Council of Europe and other European NGOs in the disability field and seeks opportunities to engage and influence their policies and actions on the key issues.
• Engages appropriate persons in the network about relevant policy developments.

Project manager
• Contributes to the running of existing Inclusion Europe projects in their areas of expertise
• Communicates effectively with project partners as well as with other stakeholders and the European institutions
• Collaborates with colleagues in organising project events
• Collaborates with colleagues and partners to develop project deliverables
• Performs regularly and efficiently various administrative tasks.

Developer of actions
• Contributes to the development of advocacy campaigns at European and international level.
• Contributes to the development of proposals for project funding.
• Identifies new relevant calls for proposals and funding opportunities both from European institutions and other donors.
• Takes the responsibility for the implementation of some actions defined in the annual work plans of Inclusion Europe.

Team player
• Works in a way that supports the values of inclusion of all people, valuing difference and promoting diversity. Actively seeks to include people with an intellectual disability and families in the work in a meaningful and appropriate way.
• Takes responsibility for his/her own performance and development, identifying opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and performance.
• Is committed to improving the team's performance through contributing good ideas and solutions and helping colleagues to do their job well.
• Develops positive working relationships with key stakeholders, developing relationships that benefit their work and support the work of others.
• Demonstrates commitment and reliability to the team and takes over some general administrative duties to support the running of the Secretariat.

Person specification
• Professional background in European policies, disability studies, or other relevant field, experience in the intellectual disability field would be a strong advantage.

Qualifications
• MA degree or equivalent in relevant field (Human Rights, European studies, Political Science, Disability Studies, etc.).

Skills/competences
Essential
• Ability to develop policies at European level and to support them with advocacy activities.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English both orally and in writing for a range of audiences.
• Strong computer skills, especially in MS Office applications.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organize a complex workload.
• Excellent communication, networking, and inter-personal skills.
• Experience in advocacy work at national or European level.
• Experience in processes fostering participation and mobilisation of stakeholders.
• Experience in engaging and organizing networks of volunteers and experts 

Desirable
• Ability to work in other European languages, particularly French and/or Italian.
• Project management skills.
• Problem-solving capacity and ability to see the bigger picture.
• Autonomy and ability to work in a small, multi-cultural team.
• Experience in working with children and young people.
• Experience of working in the disability field.
• Experience with EU-funded projects.
• Sound knowledge of European institutions and EU decision-making.
• Knowledge of disability issues.
• Knowledge of how to use Social Media platforms and other networking tools

Other relevant information
• The position is a 4/5 full-time equivalent with the possibility to become full time in due course and with an unlimited work contract based on Belgian law.
• The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Executive Director.
• Willingness and ability to undertake travel in Europe and, when necessary, beyond.
• Deadline is on 25 April 2016 at 17:00 Brussels time.

For more details and to apply for this job click here.