Social Inclusion Officer

Social Inclusion Officer

Red Cross EU Office

Brussels, Belgium

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Founded in 1983, the Red Cross EU Office (RCEU) is a membership office representing the 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). RCEU helps to coordinate relations between its member organisations and EU decision-makers and stakeholders, sharing their extensive expertise in supporting people and communities experiencing vulnerability within and outside the EU. Based on our members’ practical insights, we promote dignity and wellbeing by facilitating and voicing common positions and recommendations towards the EU and Member States. We also monitor European developments that could impact the implementation of our members’ work, as well as supporting them to prepare joint proposals to access EU funding.

For more information, please visit https://redcross.eu/. You can also connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

JOB PURPOSE

Guided by the Head of Migration and Social Inclusion, the Social Inclusion Officer will lead RCEU work on key EU thematic areas prioritised by the members of the Office, for example: addressing poverty, housing and homelessness, or access to employment. The Officer will engage with colleagues from National Societies to observe and understand their activities, priorities and needs in relation to social inclusion programming and humanitarian diplomacy. The Officer will monitor and engage with corresponding EU policies and funding programmes, develop strategies and actions at EU level. This role requires flexibility and willingness to take on new policy areas in response to arising opportunities and priorities. Identifying relevant EU funding opportunities and supporting members’ access to funds will also be central to this role. The Officer will contribute to implementing the RCEU strategy and annual work plans, as well to various day-to-day tasks of the Migration and Social Inclusion Unit.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & REQUIREMENTS

Key responsibilities

• Monitor and analyse EU actions, policy trends and developments regarding social affairs and inclusion;
• Engage with EU institutions, policy makers and stakeholders on relevant policy and funding initiatives and convey members’ key messages and good practices;
• Collect, synthesise and present EU policy and programming information clearly and concisely to members via timely written briefings, presentations, and written and verbal updates;
• Assist National Red Cross Societies to contribute to or develop their own initiatives for the implementation of EU social policies;
• Engage, listen to and support members in their EU-relevant social policy and programming initiatives;
• Support member initiatives for transnational exchange of best practice and cooperation for service development with partners inside and outside the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
• Identify relevant EU funding opportunities and support members’ access to EU funds;
• Actively contribute to the transversal tasks of the office, such as the development of internal newsletters, public communication outputs, cross-cutting advocacy initiatives and other relevant tasks as required.

Education

• University degree in social sciences, sociology, social affairs, political science, law or other related field.

Experience

• At least 4 years of experience in working in international organisations, civil society or public sector, experience in a membership organisation is an asset;
• Experience in drafting reports, papers and briefings;
• Experience in developing, managing and maintaining relationships with colleagues, external partners and policy makers;
• Experience in the field of advocacy (developing and implementing advocacy strategies);
• Experience in the field of EU social policies, legislation and programmes;
• Prior engagement with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including with a National Society is an asset but not a requirement.

Required skills, abilities and knowledge

• Knowledge of EU institutional affairs, social policies, legislation and programmes;
• Excellent skills in drafting reports, papers and briefings in English;
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, cooperative attitude and ease in conversing with diverse interlocutors;
• Great teamwork skills but also ability to work independently;
• Curiosity and openness to exploring and understanding the work of Red Cross societies at national and local levels;
• Ability to prioritise and juggle different approaches, diverse sources of information, multiple tasks and demands calmly and purposefully;
• Ability to negotiate and coordinate different views and positions with a positive attitude and a strong sense of diplomacy and tact;
• Interest in advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, as well as in the practical implementation of humanitarian activities in the EU social sector;
• Good working knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point and Teams;
• Knowledge of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s action is an asset.

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English;
• Proficiency in any other EU language is an asset.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Permanent contract, subject to Belgian social legislation;
• Full time position of 38 hours per week;
• Based in Brussels, Belgium, with potential occasional travel within Europe;
• The monthly gross salary ranges between EUR 2.900 and EUR 3.100 depending on experience. We further offer an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Application procedure

Please send your CV (max two pages) and a cover letter (max one page) in English to HR@redcross.eu by midnight CET on 23 June 2024.

Please include the job title and your full name in the file names, and mention “Social Inclusion Officer” in the email subject.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The starting date will be discussed with the selected candidate.

If you do not hear back from us by 31 July 2024, unfortunately your application has not been selected.