Policy and Advocacy Traineeship: Empowering Civil Society at CONCORD

CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs engaged on sustainable growth and worldwide cooperation, is happy to open functions for the Policy and Advocacy Traineeship: Civil Society Power. This alternative provides aspiring professionals an distinctive entry level into the world of European civil society advocacy, policymaking, and world cooperation.

Through this traineeship, CONCORD seeks to empower a younger, motivated, and socially engaged particular person with the talents, networks, and information wanted to contribute meaningfully to civil society strengthening efforts in Europe and past. The place relies in Brussels, the center of European decision-making, and provides an immersive expertise inside a dynamic, multicultural setting.

For those that are obsessed with democracy, civic engagement, social justice, and sustainable growth, this traineeship supplies a hands-on alternative to study, develop, and make a difference alongside skilled coverage and advocacy professionals.

About CONCORD

CONCORD is the European Confederation of NGOs devoted to advancing sustainable growth and worldwide cooperation. The confederation unites a broad and numerous membership of organizations that collectively signify greater than 2,600 NGOs throughout Europe. These embody 26 nationwide platforms, 25 worldwide networks, and 7 affiliate members. Together, they signify hundreds of thousands of residents dedicated to making a fairer, extra inclusive, and extra sustainable world.

The group’s mission is rooted within the perception that European insurance policies ought to promote equality, justice, and sustainability for all. By uniting civil society actors below a shared imaginative and prescient, CONCORD works to make sure that the European Union’s exterior and inside insurance policies replicate social justice, gender equality, and the accountability to guard future generations.

Our Vision

CONCORD envisions a world during which:

• Poverty and inequality are eradicated;
• Policies and choices are guided by justice, equality, and sustainability;
• Every particular person has the appropriate to reside in dignity and freedom;
• Civil society prospers as a key driver of democratic accountability and social progress.

At the core of this imaginative and prescient lies the idea that civil society is important for upholding democratic values, selling social cohesion, and holding establishments accountable. The Civil Society Power mission — which this traineeship helps — is a crucial expression of that perception.

About the Civil Society Power Project

The Civil Society Power (CSP) mission is one among CONCORD’s flagship initiatives. It goals to advertise an enabling setting for civil society throughout the European Union and globally. In an period the place civic area is shrinking in lots of elements of the world, the mission’s mission is to defend, strengthen, and develop areas for residents and civil society organizations to take part meaningfully in decision-making processes.

The CSP mission engages with the European Union establishments, Member States, and world companions to:

• Advocate for the safety of civic freedoms and human rights defenders;
• Promote inclusive participation of civil society in policymaking;
• Strengthen enabling frameworks that permit NGOs and community-based organizations to function freely and successfully;
• Foster mutual studying and solidarity amongst civil society organizations throughout totally different contexts.

This traineeship supplies a chance to turn out to be immediately concerned on this work — supporting advocacy, analysis, coordination, and communication throughout the CSP framework.

Role Overview

CONCORD is looking for a extremely motivated trainee to hitch its Policy and Advocacy Team. The chosen candidate will assist the Civil Society Power mission, working carefully with a Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser and collaborating with member organizations throughout Europe.

This place is good for a younger skilled who’s:

• Passionate about civil society, democratic participation, and worldwide cooperation;
• Curious to find out about EU policymaking processes;
• Eager to develop sturdy coverage, analysis, and coordination expertise;
• Ready to contribute actively to the collective work of a European NGO confederation.

The traineeship combines sensible expertise, skilled growth, and private progress. It permits the trainee to study immediately from skilled advocates and coverage consultants whereas contributing to concrete actions and campaigns that affect EU insurance policies.

Learning Objectives

The Policy and Advocacy Traineeship provides a structured studying expertise designed to strengthen each skilled competencies and private understanding of world and European coverage dynamics. By the top of the traineeship, the chosen candidate can have developed:

1. Comprehensive information of EU establishments and policymaking processes:
   Gain perception into how EU establishments perform, how choices are made, and how NGOs affect these choices by way of advocacy and coalition-building.
2. Understanding of EU worldwide cooperation and assist to civil society:
   Learn concerning the EU’s world growth agenda and the mechanisms by way of which the EU helps civil society organizations worldwide.
3. Enhanced analytical and analysis expertise:
   Develop the power to watch EU insurance policies, analyze paperwork, and produce concise and evidence-based advocacy supplies.
4. Organizational and coordination talents:
   Learn to plan and coordinate conferences, occasions, and collaborative actions inside a global community of organizations.
5. Practical coverage advocacy expertise:
   Gain direct publicity to the processes of drafting place papers, monitoring institutional developments, and representing civil society views.
6. Professional communication and teamwork:
   Strengthen interpersonal communication, staff collaboration, and reporting expertise in a multicultural skilled setting.

Main Responsibilities

1. Policy and Advocacy Support

The trainee will play a key supporting position within the growth and implementation of CONCORD’s coverage and advocacy targets. This contains:

• Monitoring EU coverage developments related to civil society area and enabling environments;
• Supporting the Civil Society Power mission’s advocacy work, together with contributing to joint positions, analyses, and briefings;
• Conducting focused analysis on points similar to democratic governance, civil society rights, and EU cooperation frameworks;
• Drafting and modifying paperwork, newsletters, and coverage updates for inside and exterior audiences;
• Contributing to information sharing, together with making ready the Civil Society Power e-newsletter and contributing to CONCORD’s Daily Round Up bulletin;
• Collaborating with member organizations to gather enter, share updates, and align advocacy efforts.

2. Logistics and Events

The trainee can even help within the planning and execution of inside and exterior conferences and occasions. Responsibilities embody:

• Supporting the group of conferences, workshops, and advocacy occasions;
• Preparing shows, minutes, and follow-up stories;
• Handling administrative duties similar to managing mailing lists, monitoring participation, and sustaining databases.

3. Team Coordination and Collaboration

CONCORD values teamwork and shared accountability. The trainee will:

• Participate in staff conferences throughout the Policy and Advocacy division;
• Collaborate with different groups, together with communications and operations, to make sure coherence in CONCORD’s work;
• Contribute concepts and suggestions in employees coordination conferences;
• Take part in cross-cutting actions and inside capacity-building classes.

Apply Here!

Candidate Profile

Education and Background

• A college diploma (or equal) in growth research, political science, European research, worldwide relations, or one other related area;
• Demonstrated curiosity in civil society, democratic governance, or sustainable growth;
• Prior expertise — by way of volunteering, internships, or initiatives — in NGOs, civil society, or advocacy work is a robust asset.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding (or sturdy curiosity in studying) of EU establishments and coverage processes;
• Excellent written and spoken English and Spanish (minimal stage C1 in each);
• Strong analytical and writing expertise, with the power to synthesize complicated data;
• Good interpersonal and communication expertise, together with cross-cultural consciousness;
• Organizational expertise and consideration to element;
• Ability to fulfill deadlines, handle a number of duties, and work collaboratively;
• IT literacy, together with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerLevel); familiarity with CRM techniques similar to Odoo is a bonus.

Personal Attributes

The ideally suited candidate is:

• Motivated and desperate to study;
• Cooperative, open-minded, and adaptable;
• Able to take initiative and present creativity in problem-solving;
• A staff participant dedicated to collective targets and values.

Conditions of Employment

Contract and Duration

• Full-time traineeship (37.5 hours per week) for a minimal of 6 months and a most of 12 months;
• Based at CONCORD’s workplaces in Brussels, Belgium.

Applicants should have already got the authorized proper to reside and work within the European Union, as CONCORD can not present sponsorship for work authorization.
Candidates not presently residing in Belgium should be prepared to relocate in the course of the traineeship.

Traineeship Framework (CIP)

If eligible for a CIP (contrat d’immersion professionnelle):

• Minimum length: 6 months, extendable as much as 12 months;
• Monthly stipend: €1,100;
• Entitlement to 20 trip days professional rata (10 days for a 6-month traineeship);
• Additional advantages embody:
  • Meal vouchers (€8 per working day);
  • Monthly commuting allowance for public transport or bicycle use;
  • Teleworking allowance is required, because the position contains a mixture of workplace and distant work.

Please be aware {that a} CIP contract is not appropriate with a college traineeship conference.

Supervision and Evaluation

The trainee will obtain steady suggestions and steering from a Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser all through the traineeship. Regular evaluations will assist the trainee’s studying progress, making certain that the expertise is each enriching and professionally helpful.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their functions by way of CONCORD’s on-line application type. Applicants might be requested to add a single PDF doc containing their CV (most two pages, no photograph) and motivation letter (most 300 phrases).

The motivation letter ought to tackle two key factors:

1. Your curiosity in engaged on CONCORD’s Civil Society Power mission;
2. Your response to the query: “Why is civil society important for sustainable development?”

File Naming Convention

Please title your doc as follows:
LAST NAME – First Name – CSP Traineeship January 2026

Language Requirements

Only functions and CVs written in English might be accepted.

Selection Timeline

• Application Deadline: Sunday, 30 November 2025, at 23:59 CEST
• Interviews: Week of 8 December 2025 (on-line)
• Expected Start Date: Monday, 19 January 2026

Only shortlisted candidates might be contacted for interviews. CONCORD appreciates the curiosity of all candidates and thanks them upfront for his or her dedication to the values of civil society.

Apply Here!

Why Join CONCORD?

Joining CONCORD means changing into part of a vibrant community of organizations and professionals who’re shaping the way forward for sustainable growth and worldwide cooperation in Europe. Beyond the technical expertise you’ll achieve, this traineeship provides:

• Exposure to EU policymaking and advocacy processes;
• Direct expertise in a global NGO confederation;
• Opportunities to contribute to tangible coverage adjustments;
• Access to a supportive and collaborative skilled setting;
• An opportunity to construct skilled networks throughout Europe’s civil society neighborhood.

As a trainee, you can be part of a various staff of people who’re obsessed with justice, equality, and sustainability. You can have alternatives to attend exterior conferences, workshops, and occasions, permitting you to attach with policymakers, activists, and researchers within the area.

The Importance of Civil Society for Sustainable Development

At the center of CONCORD’s mission lies the conviction that civil society is indispensable for reaching sustainable growth. Civil society organizations (CSOs) — from grassroots teams to world networks — play essential roles in:

• Promoting accountability and transparency in governance;
• Defending human rights and defending marginalized teams;
• Fostering social innovation and native growth;
• Raising public consciousness about world challenges similar to inequality and local weather change;
• Ensuring inclusive participation in decision-making processes.

Sustainable growth can’t be achieved by governments and companies alone. Civil society supplies the very important connection between folks and insurance policies, making certain that nobody is left behind.

Through initiatives such because the Civil Society Power mission, CONCORD advocates for insurance policies that acknowledge, defend, and empower civil society actors — not solely inside Europe however internationally. This traineeship provides a direct alternative to contribute to that mission.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity

CONCORD is an equal alternative employer. We worth range in our employees and membership and are dedicated to creating an inclusive setting for all. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds, no matter race, gender, faith, sexual orientation, nationality, incapacity, or another protected standing.

We consider that numerous views strengthen our collective work and contribute to progressive and efficient advocacy. Every staff member at CONCORD has a task to play in shaping a corporation that really displays the variety of civil society itself.

Contact Information

CONCORD – The European Confederation of Relief and Development NGOs
Rue de l’Industrie 10, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 743 87 60
Fax: +32 2 732 19 34
Website: www.concordeurope.org

Apply Here!

Conclusion

The Policy and Advocacy Traineeship: Civil Society Power is greater than only a studying alternative — it’s an invite to take part in a motion for world justice, democratic participation, and sustainable growth. By becoming a member of CONCORD, you’ll contribute to the collective voice of European civil society, serving to form the insurance policies that affect hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide.

Suppose you’re obsessed with civic engagement, desperate to study from consultants, and able to develop as a coverage and advocacy skilled. In that case, this traineeship is your alternative to take a significant step in your profession — and to make your voice depend in Europe’s world growth dialogue.

For extra alternatives, go to: opportunitiesforyouth.org

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