European Youth Forum is looking for a Policy Officer on Youth Participation

Deadline for applications 2 June 2024 (23h59 CET)

The European Youth Forum is the platform of youth organisations in Europe. We represent over 100 youth organisations, which bring together tens of millions of young people from all over Europe.

The Youth Forum works to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives by representing and advocating their needs and interests and those of their organisations. In the current uncertain political and social context that affects young people, they can be powerful catalysts for positive change and contributors of innovative solutions to Europe’s challenges.

The position

We are recruiting a policy officer based in Brussels. The successful candidate will work in the Policy and Advocacy Department, reporting to the Policy and Advocacy Manager.

The Policy Officer will work on policy & advocacy in the fields of youth participation and youth work, including the EU-Youth Dialogue and other aspects of youth policy in relation to the European Union and Council of Europe.

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 the EU-Youth Dialogue and youth participation within the European Youth Forum.

• Coordinate the European Youth Forum’s role within the EU-Youth Dialogue, including assuming the function of Secretariat of the European Steering Group of the Dialogue, preparing European Steering Group Meetings, liaising with the European Commission, Council of the EU, National Working Groups and National Youth Councils to ensure the smooth functioning of the Dialogue, supporting the preparation of the European Youth Conferences. This includes project-management related tasks.

• 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, including 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.

• Support team colleagues with the Youth Forum’s advocacy work on resilient democracy and strong youth organisations as necessary

• 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

• At least three 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 or EU affairs or other relevant field.

• Strong knowledge of EU institutions and European policy-making processes; experience of working with European and national institutions is an asset. In particular, familiarity with the EU Youth Dialogue process is an important advantage.

• Proven experience in influencing policy processes and creating advocacy materials.

• Strong oral and written English is required.

• 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 as soon as possible.

The gross monthly salary according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement currently applied at the European Youth Forum) is €2,754 to €2,922 depending on experience.

Benefits include:

• A relocation package (subject to budget restrictions)

• Hospitalisation insurance

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

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

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

To submit your application for this vacancy, please use the European Youth Forum online recruitment system:

How to apply with the online application system?

1. Open the call

2. Click on "Apply" and fill in your personal details.

3. Go to the next page to upload ONE PDF document with:

   1. Your updated CV

   2. Cover letter, explaining your motivation

   3. Answer to: Can you tell us about a successful advocacy process you have been part of? (300 words)

   4. Answer to: If you could suggest one improvement to the EU-Youth Dialogue, what would you change and how? (300 words)

Interviews for this vacancy will be held in the second half of June 2024 and the successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible.

Due to the high number of applications usually received for European Youth Forum vacancies, only candidates short-listed for interviews will be contacted. 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.