European Youth Forum is looking for a Policy Officer on Democracy and Youth Participation (Horizon Project)

We are recruiting a Policy Officer on Democracy and Youth Participation based in Brussels. The successful candidate will work in the Policy and Advocacy Department, reporting to the Policy and Advocacy Manager.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Policy Officer will work on policy & advocacy in the fields of youth participation, democracy, youth work, institutional youth participation processes coordinated by the European Commission and implementing the Horizon Europe project “Horizon Project Youth Decide 2040”. As the priorities and working areas of the Youth Forum are defined by its Member Organisations and Board, these may be subject to change.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be the main point of contact and expert on youth participation processes and youth work within the European Youth Forum.

• Lead on the European Youth Forum’s activities as part of the Horizon Project Youth Decide 2040, including representing the European Youth Forum within the project’s Consortium meetings; conducting research relating to young people’s experiences of democracy; and organising other activities as part of the Horizon project.

• Follow and shape institutional youth participation processes coordinated by the European Commission, such as the European Commission’s Policy Dialogues and the EU Youth Stakeholder Platform, ensuring meaningful engagement of young people from the European Youth Forum’s network.

• Identify, plan and implement opportunities for advocacy on youth participation and youth work at EU level, and where relevant Council of Europe and UN level, especially in relation to the European Youth Work Agenda.

• Draft briefings, reports, position papers and speeches to support European Youth Forum’s advocacy on youth participation and youth work.

• Collaborate with Member Organisations; coordinate and chair working groups in the policy field (online or in-person).

• Build strategic partnerships with relevant external institutional stakeholders and civil society, as well as the European Youth Forum membership.

• Represent the Forum externally (e.g. meetings with institutional stakeholders, stakeholder consultation groups, conferences).

• Ensure ongoing and regular coordination with the European Youth Forum Board for areas under your portfolio.

• Contribute to the development of the annual plan of the European Youth Forum and ensure that the objectives of the Annual Plan related to the portfolio are met within the agreed timeframe.

• Oversee execution of the budget allocated to the working area.

• Provide support to other colleagues and departments of the European Youth Forum as appropriate and necessary.

PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• 1-3 years of previous work experience in EU or international affairs, youth sector or civil society sector.

• A higher education degree in social science, humanities, law, political science, international relations, EU affairs, communications, or other relevant fields. However, candidates without a higher education degree but with substantial professional experience in relevant areas are also encouraged to apply.

• Evidenced experience of managing participation processes is an important advantage.

• Experience and or knowledge of youth work and democratic processes is essential, as is proven experience in drafting policy materials and coordinating a process across different teams.

• Strong oral and written English is required.

• Research and evaluation experience would be an advantage.

• Experience of working with European and national institutions would be an asset.

• Willingness to occasionally travel abroad, and to work on weekends and evenings when required.

• Experience with coordinating networks/coalitions of members and partners is an asset.

• Volunteering and other forms of previous or current engagement in youth organisations is an asset.

PERSONAL SKILLS

• A quick learner and self-starter with strong ability to develop knowledge on new concepts and adapt to new processes.

• Capacity to work independently and within a small team ● Ability to set personal objectives and think strategically.

• Good organisational skills, time management skills and capacity to balance multiple processes at once.

• An effective communicator

• Excellent analytical and writing skills

• Ability to meet tight deadlines

• Computer literacy, with good working knowledge of word processing, email and online applications.

TERMS OF THE CONTRACT

• The contract is open-ended and full time (35 hours per week). The starting date is January 2025.

• The gross monthly salary according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement currently applied at the European Youth Forum) is €2,809 to €2,922 depending on experience.

• Benefits include:

  • 5 extra-legal holiday days (pro-rata basis)

  • Hospitalisation insurance

  • Eco-cheques and culture cheques (pro-rata basis)

  • STIB Annual subscription

  • A relocation package (subject to budget restrictions)

• Candidates for this position should be willing to travel and work flexible hours including if required occasional weekends. Overtime may be recuperated as time off in lieu, whilst weekend and evening overtime is also compensated.

• This position being based in Brussels candidates should be willing to relocate or live in the surrounding area.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & TIMELINE

Prepare ONE PDF document with:

• Your updated CV

• Cover letter, explaining your motivation

To submit your application for this vacancy, please proceed below:

• Click on "Apply" and fill in your personal details and then upload the document.

After clicking "Apply," you will not be able to modify your application. Please ensure you have all necessary documents prepared before proceeding, and avoid closing the window during the application process.

The application deadline is the 1st of December 23:59 (CET).

Interviews for this vacancy will be held in the first half of December and the successful candidate will be expected to start in January 2025.

Due to the high number of applications usually received for European Youth Forum vacancies, only candidates short-listed for interviews will be contacted. If you do not receive a response within 3 weeks of the application deadline, please assume that your application was not successful. We sincerely appreciate your interest in this position and the time you put into applying. All candidates are kindly requested to refrain from any phone inquiries.

RECRUITMENT POLICY

Anti-discrimination: All appointments should be made in a transparent way and comply with all relevant employment regulations. No job applicant or employee should receive less favourable treatment on the ground of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, gender, gender identity, marital status, caring responsibilities, sexual orientation, disability or chronic illness. Volunteering: Any relevant volunteering experience is considered equal to any other professional experience.