Who are we?

DRC has a representation office in Brussels since 2016, aiming to engage and provide concrete recommendations towards the EU institutions for change on policies related affecting refugees and people affected by conflict and displacement, based on the knowledge from DRC country operations worldwide. The Senior EU Advocacy Adviser will report directly to the DRC Brussels Representative and be part of a small, dynamic team located centrally in Brussels.

Together with other DRC representation offices, DRC Brussels is part of the Division for Partnerships Engagement and Fundraising in the Department for Programme, Partnership and External Relations at DRC Head Quarters. The Senior EU Advocacy Adviser has a technical reporting line to the Director for Advocacy, Press and External Communication at Head Quarters.

About the job

We are seeking a candidate with solid knowledge of EU Institutions, EU decision making processes and how to influence them.

The Senior EU Advocacy Adviser will advise the wider DRC on how to best influence European Institutions and Member States’ Permanent Representations to ensure that the EU’s humanitarian action is principled. In addition, the Senior EU Advocacy Adviser will – in close collaboration with HQ colleagues and colleagues in the Europa-Asia Region - follow EU legislation related to asylum and migration, including selected topics under the EU’s Pact on Asylum and Migration e.g. rights violations at borders, access to international protection and externalization efforts.

Based in Brussels, this is a key position that aims to strengthen the quality, precision and reach of DRC’s overall advocacy toward the EU. The Senior EU Advocacy Adviser’s action serves DRC global advocacy ambitions and reinforces country and regional capacities on effective advocacy strategies and activities.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Advise and engage on influencing decision making in the EU related to displacement and conflict affected populations. Advise and lead on advocacy efforts toward the EU initiated by HQ, Regional, Country Offices and/or other DRC representation offices. Monitor relevant EU policy developments affecting DRC’s work, provide analysis to support DRC’s understanding of EU policies and processes, identify opportunities for influencing and inform DRC advocacy strategy and policy development. Advise, inform, and support the development of global, regional and country-specific advocacy strategies and recommendations in order to provide an EU-angle. Lead on the development / dissemination of high-quality advocacy products: briefings, talking points, speeches, letters etc. for internal and external use. Develop and maintain constructive relationships with representatives of the EU and Member States Permanent Representations on specific files. Represent DRC in various meetings and international fora. Provide analysis on key opportunities for influencing EU decision making. Organize or coordinate visits and briefings from country, regional, and HQ colleagues to Brussels to provide evidence on DRC’s advocacy objectives. Work closely with other migration, refugee, human rights and humanitarian NGOs and networks in Brussels in the context of joint advocacy initiatives at the EU level. Occasionally conduct field visits to situations of high relevance to the EU agenda. Contribute to the enhancement of advocacy as a key priority in DRC’s Strategic Priorities under the 2025 DRC Global Strategy.

Required experience and competencies:

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes. Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback. Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly. Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Experience and technical competencies:

Required:

5 years’ experience of influencing and advocacy work including lobbying, policy development and information provision towards the EU. Demonstrated experience and skills in advocating towards the EU (Council, Commission, Parliament) Solid experience working in advocacy on humanitarian issues, human rights, and/or development issues. Demonstrated experience in developing sound and actionable policy recommendations tailored to EU as an interlocutor. Ability to present arguments in a structured, compelling, and articulated manner. Previous experience in drafting speeches, briefings and talking points. Good analytical skills. Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships and alliances quickly with a wide variety of people. Excellent planning and coordination skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities. Please note that you need to have the right to work in Belgium (through nationality or existing working visa) in order to be considered for this role.

Desirable:

Knowledge of human rights, refugee rights, international humanitarian law, rights-based programming, and protection principles. Previous experience in representing NGO’s, donors, or UN agencies in formal settings. Previous advocacy experience targeting the EU’s asylum acquis. Previous experience in humanitarian settings and complex crises. Previous experience working within an EU institution.

Education: Relevant academic background at Master Degree level

Languages: Full proficiency in spoken and written English. Other commonly used EU languages are considered an asset, but not a condition.

We offer:

A great job opportunity in a small, dynamic team, centrally located in Brussels. Start date: 1 May 2023 or soonest thereafter.

Duty Station: Brussels, Belgium

All positions in DRC Brussels are national contracts. A competitive salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC Brussels salary scale.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter (no longer than 1 page) and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: Monday 10 April 2023 at midnight.

Due to the urgency in filling this role, we will conduct interviews on a running basis.

For further questions please reach out Birte Hald at birte.hald@drc.ngo

This vacancy is archived.

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