The European Youth Forum (YFJ) is the Platform of Youth Organisations in Europe. Independent, democratic and youth-led, it represents more than 90 National Youth Councils and International Youth Organisations from across the Continent. 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 towards the European Institutions, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.

The Forum is recruiting a Policy Officer. The successful candidate will work in the Policy Development and Advocacy Department and will report to the Coordinator for the related area. The Policy Officer work will focus on youth policy with a strong element on the structured dialogue

Under the current Work Plan (2013-2014) of the European Youth Forum, the successful candidate will coordinate the work in the field of Youth Policy. Youth Policy is at the core of the work of the European Youth Forum aiming at developing policies answering the needs of young people. The successful candidate will coordinate the work of the structured dialogue in cooperation with the European Commission and the Member States..

TASKS
• Strategically plan and implement the work for the structured dialogue with the governments and youth organisations (project management)
• Strategically plan and implement advocacy actions regarding youth policy. Continue building the strong network with the various relevant actors, mostly in Europe, in the field of youth policy (civil society and institutional partners such as the European Union institutions and the Council of Europe)
• Monitor and report on developments in the field of youth policy, and provide information on this to the Board and Member Organisations;
• Organise and run international meetings, seminars, debates, training and networking events;
• Oversee budget lines which have been allocated to the working area;
• Draft policy documents, briefings, reports, working and strategy papers;
• Write content for internal and external European Youth Forum publications and other communication channels;
• Assist with other services provided by the European Youth Forum as necessary.


The employee accepts that, in accordance with the work rules and without prejudice to the legal provisions and regulations, the duties and responsibilities can be adapted in accordance with the needs and the organisation of the employer.


PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• A university degree in political science, social science or other relevant field is strongly desirable but can be compensated by extensive relevant NGO and/or non-formal education experience;
• Sensitivity to youth policy issues and a good knowledge of the different institutional partners with whom the YFJ works, such as the European Parliament, the European Commission or the Council of Europe;
• Background and experience in youth policy and/or structured dialogue is necessary;
• Experience with youth work is preferable;
• Project management experience and skills
• Strategic thinking and advocacy capacity towards institutions and other partners;
• Ability to research, collate, analyse and summarise information;
• Experience with working in a multicultural environment;
• Capacity to multi-task and co-ordinate several projects simultaneously, demonstrating excellent time management, leadership, communication and organisational skills while keeping a sense of humour in stressful situations;
• Advanced level in spoken and written English, knowledge of other languages appreciated;
• Computer literacy, with good working knowledge of word processing, e-mail and internet applications;
• Ability to travel and to work flexible hours and on weekends, when required;
• Ability to live in Brussels or the surrounding area.


TERMS OF THE CONTRACT

The duration of the contract is five years. The contract is full time (35 hours per week) and the gross monthly salary (for a SP1 position according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement currently applied at the European Youth Forum) is 2.754,00 Euro. A relocation package, hospitalisation insurance and other benefits are available. Travel expenses within the Brussels region are covered by the European Youth Forum.


Interviews for this vacancy will be held on September 4 in Brussels and the successful candidate will be expected to start in October 2014. Due to the high number of applications usually received for European Youth Forum vacancies, only candidates short-listed for interviews will be contacted.



APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To submit your application for this vacancy, please use the new European Youth Forum online recruitment system: http://recruitment.youthforum.org

Deadline for Applying: 24 August 2014, 23h59 CET

How to apply with the online application system?
1. Create a user account: click on "Registration" and fill in your personal details.
2. Go to the "Login " area and login with your username and password.
3. Create your CV: click on "My Curriculum" in this area you will be asked to provide information on your education, experience and training's.
4. Submit your application: click on "Vacancies" you will be asked to select the call your want to apply for and to write your motivation letter.


✎Special note to the applicants who already applied to another vacancy through the recruitment system:
If you already applied to a vacancy at the European Youth Forum, your CV is saved in our system. This means that when applying for a new position you will no longer be requested to fill in the CV part. You will only be asked to add your motivation letter. It also means that you may update your CV at any time.


The Youth Forum aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the ground of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, sexual orientation, disability or chronic illness.