DirecciónSOLIDAR Foundation for Progressive Education and Democratic Participation is the Learning Hub of SOLIDAR, a network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working to achieve a Just Transition to Social Justice in Europe and worldwide. With 50+ member organisations based in 27 countries (19 of which are EU countries), member organisations are national CSOs in Europe, as well as some non-EU and EU-wide organisations, working in one or more of our fields of activity. SOLIDAR voices the values of its member organisations to the EU and international institutions across the three main policy sectors: social affairs, Education and Lifelong Learning, and international cooperation.
Are you an analytical and engaged person with a burning heart for quality and inclusive education policies, social rights, and European politics? Then apply now for this fellowship! We’re looking for a candidate with a firm belief in the European labour and citizens’ movements. This role will support the policy analysis and project implementation work of the Education and Lifelong Learning team, including SOLIDAR Foundation publications to support an inclusive implementation of the European Education Area while advocating for building learning and sustainable societies.
SOLIDAR Foundation is looking for a Policy Fellow in the Education and Lifelong Learning team who can start in April for a duration of 8 months. The person will be part of the SOLIDAR Foundation team, supporting it in policy and advocacy work, including the organisation of external and internal events, while developing knowledge and experience of the fast-paced and diverse work of the SOLIDAR network. To this end, traveling may be required.
This fellowship programme is open to activists, recent graduates and students in the final phase of their master’s looking for experience in a dynamic and multicultural working environment. The role will allow you to discover the working environment of Civil Society Organisations in Brussels in a member-based European network. It will give you an introduction to strategic advocacy work on the EU level as well as an understanding of the impact on the national level.
Key tasks:
Within the SOLIDAR Foundation fellowship programme, fellows have an opportunity to support and analyse policy developments at the EU level in Education and Lifelong Learning Policy. The fellow will contribute to the work of SOLIDAR by supporting the team with policy analysis and monitoring, drafting the briefings to keep our membership informed and engaged in the European debate, as well as by supporting the organisation of external and internal events and policy-related EU-funded projects.
The fellowship program is under the form of “La convention d’immersion professionnelle” registered under Belgian law. The position foresees a 1000 Euro net allowance, travel support, and meal vouchers contribution. You need to have the right to work and live in Belgium to be able to assume this position.
During the programme, the fellow will be expected to make substantive contributions to:
- The monitoring of relevant EU policy developments in the field of Education and Lifelong Learning and support the related information sharing and briefing activities for the membership;
- The drafting of briefing papers, position papers, and contribution to open consultations about Education and Lifelong Learning with a focus on inclusive education, digital (citizenship) Education and Global Citizenship Education;
- Participation in meetings, conferences, workshops in and around the EU institutions for the purpose of reporting back to SOLIDAR Secretariat;
- The organisation of internal and external events (in person and online) to engage the membership and advocate for the policy recommendations drawn from the research findings;
- Support with the development of project deliverables and with the tasks needed to ensure the timely delivery of narrative and financial reports for projects;
- Assist Policy Officers with background research and drafting of reports for CIVICUS Monitor project.
- Supporting the team with communications tasks, such as drafting content for social media, website, newsletters and by actively contributing to (new) ways to disseminate SOLIDAR Foundation's work.
- Work flexibly alongside other members of the SOLIDAR team to take on reasonable tasks as appropriate over and above those set out above.
- Contribution to the new database of stakeholders to be launched in SOLIDAR
Requirements
- Degree in relevant field (e.g. Political Sciences; European studies; Education studies)
Key skills and competences:
- Fluency in English (written and spoken)
- proven research skills in light of the need to engage in desk research for preparing briefing publications;
- Well-developed writing and editing skills, analysis and synthesis skills
- Ability to write briefing papers and monitoring reports as well as news articles
- Excellent organisational skills and time-management competences
- Interest in Education and Lifelong Learning policies, and democratic participation
- Eagerness to learn about EU policies and EU decision-making process
- Digital literacy: good command of digital environments such as Microsoft Teams/365; ability to use efficiently video-conferencing tools; good command of social media (FB, TW/X, LinkedIn)
- Dedication to the values of SOLIDAR: solidarity, equality and democratic participation
- Creativity
Assets
- Fluency in French, German or Spanish
- Ability to use multimedia platforms such as Genial.ly and Canva
- Experience with activism/volunteering in SOLIDAR member organisations or in nonformal and informal learning environments
If you are interested in participating in the SOLIDAR Policy Fellowship programme, please send:
- Your CV of max. 2 pages
- A document addressing the following questions:
1. Why do you think that you a good fit for this position and how you could contribute to the organisation? (200 words max)
2. Do you have any previous policy and advocacy experiences? Could you describe a challenge that you encountered in previous experiences? (150 words max, feel free to include hyperlinks)
3. Do you have any experiences with design-related or communications-related tasks? (150 words max, feel free to include hyperlinks)
to Elisa Gambardella (elisa.gambardella@solidar.org) with subject line ‘Fellowship - SOLIDAR Foundation - Your name and Surname’ by 10th March 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed and requested to take a written assignment. Tentative dates for interviews: 15th-29th March.
