Missing Children Europe is looking to recruit a full-time Policy and Projects Assistant for a 6-month internship (“convention d’immersion professionnelle” contract) starting in October 2024. We are seeking an outgoing and dedicated assistant with an interest in policy and projects, eager to gain experience in advocacy activities within a European NGO. 

About us: Missing Children Europe represents 33 NGOs in 27 European countries active in combatting the disappearance and sexual exploitation of children. We provide the link between research, policies, and organisations on the ground, to protect children from any kind of violence, abuse or neglect that is caused by, or results from them going missing.  

Key responsibilities and tasks 

The Policy and Projects Assistant will assist MCE in meeting its advocacy and projects objectives related to missing children in Europe including background research, administrative and organisational tasks and support to different advocacy activities. The Policy & Projects Assistant will report directly to the Senior Advocacy Officer and will also support the Secretary General and the Senior Project Officers.  

Policy monitoring  

  • Monitor policy developments and activities relevant for the organisation’s advocacy and projects, at the EU, national and local levels related to children in migration, parental abductions, missing children hotlines, children who run away and sexual abuse and exploitation.  
  • Support the drafting of reports and/or briefs on policy developments as relevant. 

Research 

  • Undertake specific research on various topics relating to the protection of children on the move, child victims of trafficking, missing children hotlines, missing children in migration, international protection, parental abductions, children who run away, child victims of domestic violence and child sexual abuse, or any other relevant topics. 
  • Establish and maintain a database with data on missing children in migration, parental abductions, and runaways.  

Advocacy activities 

  • Supporting the drafting of policy and advocacy positions including letters, statements and reports 
  • Administrative tasks related to the organisation of advocacy activities including coalition and bilateral meetings, public events, production of concept notes, agenda, powerpoint presentations, reports etc.  
  • Maintaining and updating Missing Children Europe’s contact lists.  
  • Participation and note taking in Missing Children Europe internal and external meetings.  

Programmes and projects activities 

  • Administrative work related to the day-to-day running of programmes and projects, including drafting agenda and reports, organising, participating and taking minutes in meetings, correspondence with partners and relevant stakeholders.  
  • Organisation of events online and in-person. 

Other 

  • Assisting with other tasks (communications, operations) based on the needs of the organisation.  

Profile, skills and background 

  • Undergraduate or graduate degree in social or political sciences, human rights, EU or international affairs or another relevant field 
  • Excellent written and spoken English 
  • Understanding of and interest in human rights and children’s rights/child protection issues 
  • Ability to work well in a small team with people from different professional and cultural backgrounds 
  • Ability to think of the big picture while also having an eye for detail  
  • Ability to work quickly and efficiently as well as stress resistant  
  • Positive with a can-do attitude and desire to receive feedback and improve 
  • Ability to work proactively and to take charge of projects and efforts 
  • Ability to work within tight budget constraints and a creative problem solver 
  • Experience in working for the NGO sector 
  • Knowledge of the functioning of the EU institutions policy and decision-making 

Our Offer: 

  • A 6-month “convention d’immersion professionnelle” training contract in a dynamic organisation addressing child disappearance and sexual exploitation at a European level. 
  • Remuneration in line with Brussels Capital Region internship laws. 
  • Monthly reimbursement of public transport costs, internet allowance, and meal vouchers. 
  • 5 days of paid holidays. 
  • Hands-on experience in advocacy and projects for a European organisation. 

Selection Procedure 

If you believe you qualify for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your motivation (1 page max.) to applications@missingchildreneurope.eu with “Policy and Projects Assistant – Your name ” as a subject title. Please name your files as follows: LastName, FirstName_CV (e.g. Smith, John_CV) and LastName, FirstName_CL (Smith, John_CL). 

Application deadline: 28 August 12:00 CEST. Only selected candidates will be contacted. 

The interviews will take place in the third week of September 2024 in MCE office in Brussels.  

The selected candidate will start in October 2024. 

Equal Opportunity Strategy 

Disclaimer 

All information given upon application will be treated in a confidential manner and according to Missing Children Europe’s privacy policies. 

Please note: We occasionally amend or withdraw Missing Children Europe (MCE) jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to the advertised closing date. MCE will never ask you for a fee to process or consider your application for a career with MCE. Anyone who demands such a fee is not an authorized MCE representative and you are strongly advised to refuse any such demand. 

Staff recruited by Missing Children Europe will be asked to comply with our child protection policy, including necessary vetting and background checks of personnel. For Missing Children Europe, human qualities are decisive regardless of your race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.