Job Vacancy

Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe

The Jesuit Refugee Service is an international Catholic organisation. Its
mission is to accompany, to serve and to plead the cause of refugees and
forcibly displaced people. The JRS was set up by the Society of Jesus in 1980
and is now working in over 50 countries worldwide. JRS works with all refugees
but has a particular concern for the "forgotten" refugees who have moved out of
the attention of policy makers and the media.

Location: Belgium (Brussels)
Closing date: September 12th, 2007

Job Description

Job Level: Senior-Level
In Europe JRS is actively present in 12 different countries in both direct
service and advocacy with particular attention for migrants in detention. The
European Union is developing a common Migration and Asylum policy. JRS Europe
follows this process, analyses it and undertakes advocacy work with relevant
institutions. JRS national offices in the different countries contribute to
this advocacy work. JRS Europe co-operates with various Brussels based
organisations working on the issues of migration, asylum and Human Rights,
especially those from a Christian background. JRS Europe seeks a replacement
for the present Senior Policy Officer.

The new Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer will continue advocacy for people in
detention, and will develop, together with the new Junior Policy and Advocacy
Officer and with colleagues in JRS, the strategic planning for new fields of
advocacy:
- rights for rejected asylum seekers and destitute migrants with humanitarian
status;
- externalisation of EU migration policy; and,
- Migration and Development.

Responsibilities

- Analysis of key EU documents on asylum and migration.
- Advocacy at EU level with the Parliament, the European Commission, the
Council of Ministers and national Delegations.
- Design and implement an advocacy strategy for JRS Europe in cooperation with
its twelve national offices.
- Cooperate with the Policy Officers of JRS International in Rome and Geneva,
and with Policy Officers in other JRS Regional Offices.
- Establish links and cooperation with other agencies in Brussels, in
particular with the ECRE network and with UNHCR. Participate in relevant inter-
agency advocacy and coordination meetings in Brussels.
- In close cooperation with national offices provide input for campaigns on
behalf of forced migrants in Europe and at its external borders, with an
emphasis on access to asylum procedures and protection.
- Supported by the media assistant of JRS, maintain links with Brussels-based
media and provide regular information on the situation of refugees and
migrants.
- Occasionally provide briefings and information on common asylum and migration
issues at the EU level to JRS national offices, but also to other
organisations. This may entail undertaking occasional public speaking
engagements.
- Organise advocacy events such as press conferences, book launches or other
conferences.
- Manage and oversee the work of a junior policy officer and media assistant.

Job Requirements/Experience Requirements

Required:

- Permission to work in Belgium.
- Sympathy with the JRS vision and way of working. Share the values and the way
of proceeding of the Jesuit Refugee Service.
- University degree in preferably law, or political science, human rights or
other relevant course related to the job.
- A minimum of ten years working experience of which at least five years in
humanitarian, human rights or advocacy related work.
- Demonstrable experience and results in lobbying and advocacy, preferably
including EU institutions.
- Excellent skills in strategic planning or the ability to think strategically
with regard to advocacy issues in the migration and asylum fields.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work well as part of a team.
- Ability to analyse large quantities of information in a short time.
- Excellent spoken and written English, and the ability to present complex
issues comfortably and effectively to diverse audiences.
- At least basic computer literacy (ability to write word documents, use the
internet and email).
- Good organisational skills to organise a high-level conference.
- Readiness to travel regularly within Europe.

Desirable:

- Working knowledge of French and Spanish and other European languages.
- Experience of working with faith based organisations.
- Ability to relate to people from other cultures.
- Experience of work on refugee issues.
- Working experience outside Europe.
- Editing and publishing skills.
- Previous experience of networking or coordinating work in an international
organisation.

An information package can be downloaded from
http://www.jrseurope.org/news_releases/info_pack_JRS_policy_07_F.pdf

The information package can equally be obtained by contacting
[log in to unmask]

Applications

Application by CV and covering letter detailing your suitability for the post
with three references to the

Regional Director of JRS Europe
Rue du Progrès 333/2, 1040 Brussels, Belgium.
[log in to unmask] fax + 32 2 250 3229

For further information about JRS in Europe see the JRS Europe websites
http://www.jrseurope.org and http://www.detention-in-europe.org

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