Policy & Advocacy Officer – Child Poverty

About Eurochild

Eurochild is an international non-governmental organisation based in Brussels, which promotes the well-being and rights of children and young people at the European level and, through its membership, in the European countries. We are supported financially by the European Commission. In the 20 years since its establishment, Eurochild has grown into one of the most influential networks on children’s rights in Europe. It has over 200 members across 42 countries in Europe, including national coalitions of children’s rights (National Partner Networks) in 22 countries.

About this position

This position at Eurochild’s Brussels-based Secretariat will ensure that Eurochild actively engages in and influences relevant EU policymaking processes on Child Poverty, in line with agreed advocacy goals. You will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with EU institutions and key partners, with a particular focus on Roma children and families facing adversity in Bulgaria. In this role, you will help shape Eurochild’s advocacy messages, and represent the organisation at EU level, as well as at national, regional and local levels in Bulgaria. This position is part of a dedicated project aimed at driving positive change for families in adversity in Bulgaria, by leveraging EU influence and fostering meaningful civil society engagement.

The specific responsibilities of the Policy & Advocacy Officer – Child Poverty will include:

•  Monitoring and analysing relevant child poverty policy developments at EU level, and identifies opportunities to leverage EU initiatives at the national level in Bulgaria;
•  Informing Eurochild staff and members of opportunities to influence and supporting relevant communications with Eurochild members and children and young people;
•  Contributing to the planning and implementation of policy and advocacy work focused on Bulgaria, in line with key political developments and agreed priorities, while harnessing the expertise and influence of the Secretariat and membership;  Gathering and sharing best practices to prevent family separation;
•  Supporting the development of key deliverables (e.g. policy briefings, statements and reports) used in our advocacy, regular reporting to the donor, as well as overseeing and delivering reports on the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan to ensure project goals and outcomes are tracked effectively;
•  Fostering close working relations with key allies in EU Institutions, particularly the European Parliament, European Commission and Permanent Representations to the EU of the Member States;
•  Supporting Eurochild’s external representation, developing alliances to strengthen Bulgarian civil society’s capacity to advocate on key issues related to child poverty and preventing child-family separation, facilitating synergies among different actors with shared concern;
•  Advising and supporting colleagues in Brussels and Bulgaria on influencing the design and delivery of EU policies and funding allocation;
•  Updating databases for communication, lobbying and relationship management purposes;
•  Coordinating advocacy activities and developing advocacy tools aligned to agreed advocacy goals;
•  Designing, implementing and following up on capacity building activities for Secretariat colleagues, members or children and young people to support their engagement in EU policy development;
•  Collaborating with project teams including Eurochild Secretariat and Bulgarian members. Candidate profile We are looking for a candidate with:
•  Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in a similar role, ideally in an EU based organisation

Candidate profile We are looking for a candidate with:

•  Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in a similar role, ideally in an EU based organisation
•  Ability to provide 2 professional references
•  Experience in monitoring, analysing and reporting on policy developments at EU and European level
•  Ability to research, analyse, negotiate and establish and maintain relationships with officials and relevant stakeholders
•  Professional curiosity, good listening skills and appetite for learning, and personal and professional growth
•  Ability to work autonomously as well as being a good team player
•  A strong sense of integrity, flexibility, and responsibility
•  Excellent organisational, problem solving and time management skills
•  Strong networking and communications skills
•  Strong computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
•  Fluency in written and spoken English, other languages are an asset

In addition, it is an asset if the candidate has any of the following:

•  Fluency in written and spoken Bulgarian
•  Knowledge and grassroot experience of working with and supporting the Roma community
•  Experience of working with or for non-governmental organisations or membership-based networks
•  Good understanding of children’s rights.

Support and supervision
The Policy & Advocacy Officer – Child Poverty will report to the EU Affairs Coordinator. They will also receive support from other members of the Policy, Advocacy, and Communication team, and work alongside other colleagues.

Conditions

•  Remuneration: 2700-2900€ gross monthly salary depending on experience
•  Benefits: 13th month, lunch tickets, transportation reimbursement, full hospitalisation & pension insurance
•  Location: Eurochild premises, Brussels
•  Preferred starting date: January 2025
•  Type of contract: full-time, 1-year contract
•  The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in Belgium

Are you interested?

To apply:

Please complete this online form in English, add your CV (pdf) and submit. Deadline for applications: 25 October 1200 hrs CET.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified and invited to an online interview (Week Commencing 4 November). The selection process will also include a written exercise to be completed prior to the interview. If selected for an interview you will be notified and sent the exercise ahead of the interview. The final process will be an interview with members of the Eurochild Children’s Council. If you are not contacted by us by 8 November, please assume you have not been selected for an interview. We thank you for your interest in Eurochild and wish you every success in your future.

Confidentiality & privacy: All information given upon application will be treated in a confidential manner and according to Eurochild’s privacy policies. Eurochild is an equal opportunity employer. We are guided by the principle of non-discrimination on any ground, and we apply such principle in our day-to-day operations and in our employment practices.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please email Eurochild Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communication ally.dunhill@Eurochild.org