Belgium: Policy Associate, Climate & Natural Resources, Brussels

Dec 8, 2023 | Search for Common Ground
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Search for Common Ground is one of the largest peacebuilding organisations, with HQ in the USA and Belgium, and working in over 30 conflict-affected countries. Search for Common Ground looking for a motivated and proactive new colleague to join its Brussels-based team. The main focus of the role will lie in the area of policies around climate, conflict and peacebuilding. The successful candidate will work with Search to increase the conflict sensitivity of  climate policies and practices and increase the links between  peacebuilding and climate policies. He/she will also support Search’s overall policy work and events in Brussels.

Final deadline for applications is on 3  January 2024. The Policy Associate climate will work on climate policy issues that are particularly pertinent for the fragile settings where Search works, looking for example at climate funding, conflict-sensitivity, the link between climate and security and the link between the extractive industry and conflict. In this effort, the Associate will work at EU and Belgian level, with civil society allies, policy makers and sometimes representatives from the private sector that are active in fragile settings. She/he will report to the Policy and Outreach manager and will be an integral part of the Global Policy and Outreach team, but will interact with a wide range of Search staff and partners, with a particular focus on Great Lakes and Sahel. This position is funded by the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and humanitarian aid (DGD).

Responsibilities

    • Supporting the drafting of advocacy strategies, policy briefings and analysis and other policy tools;
    • Monitoring political, policy and research developments;
    • Reaching out to policymakers at EU  and Belgian level;
    • Attending meetings and events on behalf of Search for Common Ground;
    • Supporting the organisation of events and meetings in Brussels;
    • Supporting communications work on climate change and conflict;
    • Contributes to planning, reporting and monitoring and evaluation of the global policy team;
    • Supporting country-based colleagues on climate-related policy issues.

This is a Brussels-based position. Some travel may occur.

Qualifications

    • Has a minimum of three years of relevant work experience (or masters degree with 1 year of relevant experience);
    • Has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Conflict Studies, Social Sciences, European studies, climate studies, development studies or related area; 
    • Has a good understanding of EU decision-making procedures and how to advance an advocacy agenda in a politically sensitive environment; knowledge of Belgian institutions and legislative processes would be an asset;
    • Previous advocacy experience is a definitive advantage;
    • Previous experiences working on policy issues related to climate, conflict or peacebuilding would be highly valued, a keen interest in them is required;
    • Has outstanding written and spoken English and French; Dutch is an asset;
    • Engages and communicates effectively across functions and teams, and is good at networking;
    • Is well organised and creates timely work;
    • Has strong analytical skills;
    • Uses resiliency and exhibits flexibility and adaptability to changing tasks and team priorities

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

    • Engages and communicates effectively across functions and across teams.
    • Participates in external meetings.
    • Builds relationships and engages effectively with collaborators.
    • Uses resiliency and exhibits flexibility and adaptability to changing tasks and team priorities.
    • With oversight by the supervisor, writes technical sections for team documents, briefing materials, and presentations.
    • Works across functions from a multicultural perspective that reflects consideration of other cultures, other viewpoints, and other ways of doing things.
    • Sensitively recognizes ethical situations.
    • Focuses on the key objectives of a task or project.
    • Creates accurate, organized, and timely work.
    • Is resourceful with time management and technology to prioritize tasks with limited supervision.

Contract Duration and Salary Range

Search for Common Ground offer a 1-year contract (“contrat à durée déterminée”, CDD), renewable by 1 year upon satisfactory performance and budget availability.

The salary range for this position would be between 3.205 - 3.700 EUR gross per month, based on relevant experience, with standard benefits: 22 days of annual leave, end-of-year office closure, double vacation pay, meal vouchers (Eur 7,- per worked day), life insurance, hospitalisation, dental and ambulatory health insurances, disability insurance, contribution to mobile phone use, transport allocation, home office allowance and a contribution to private pension fund.

Foreseen Start Date 

As soon as possible.

Application process

The deadline for applications is 3 January 2024. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Submit CV and motivation letter through its Application System Lever. 

Please note that Search for Common Ground unfortunately only able to consider applicants who hold the right to live and work in Belgium. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. 

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities. 

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Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Please see the website www.sfcg.org for full details of its work. All Search Employees must adhere to the values: Collaboration- Audacity - Tenacity - Empathy - Results. In accordance with these values, Search enforces compliance with the Code of Conduct and related policies on Anti Workplace Harassment, Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest, and Anti-fraud. Search is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children, youth, and vulnerable adults.  Search for Common Ground does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. View the code of conduct here and the privacy policy here.