EU Legal and Advocacy Officer

Red Cross EU Office

Brussels, Belgium

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Founded in 1983, the Red Cross EU (RCEU) Office is a membership office representing the 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The RCEU Office helps to coordinate relations between its member organisations and EU decision-makers and stakeholders, sharing their extensive expertise in supporting people and communities experiencing vulnerability within and outside the EU. Based on our members’ practical insights, we promote dignity and wellbeing by facilitating and voicing common positions and recommendations towards the EU and Member States. We also monitor European developments that could impact the implementation of our members’ work, as well as supporting them to prepare joint proposals to access EU funding.

For more information, please visit https://redcross.eu/. You can also connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

JOB PURPOSE

As part of the Migration and Social Inclusion Unit, the EU Legal and Advocacy Officer works to ensure an enabling environment for National Red Cross Societies to operate within the EU as Social Economy entities, with special consideration for their status as auxiliaries to public authorities in the humanitarian field. Based on the Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD) Strategy on Social Economy agreed with members, the Officer monitors and analyses EU legislative, policy and judicial processes likely to affect the operational environment of National Red Cross Societies. This includes associations and non-profit law, employment and labour law, procurement law, and state aid law as well as policy and funding priorities related to social economy and social innovation. The Officer ensures a regular flow of information and exchange between members on the impact of EU decision-making on their operations. In coordination with members, the Officer engages with relevant EU actors to enhance understanding of the specific status and needs of National Red Cross Societies. The Officer also provides legal advice to National Red Cross Societies and to the RCEU Office on EU law related issues.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & REQUIREMENTS

In line with the Red Cross EU Strategy 2022-2027, the Officer’s main focus will be on EU law and policy that impacts the ability of RCEU members to operate as not-for-profit social service providers.

Key responsibilities

Positioning and influencing

Monitor and analyse EU legislative, policy and judicial processes, including associations and non-profit law, employment and labour law, procurement law, state aid law, as well as any other developments in the social economy and social innovation area;
Implement the HD Strategy on Social Economy, which includes coordinating members’ joint advocacy efforts towards EU decision-making processes;
Lead the Social Economy Working Group, which is composed of focal points from National Red Cross Societies;
Engage with relevant EU actors – especially in the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council – to enhance understanding of National Red Cross Societies’ status and needs;
Represent the RCEU Office in EU umbrella organisations and other EU platforms;
Respond to consultations, draft common position papers, recommendations and other relevant HD- material.

Serve RCEU members on EU-related issues

Serve as point of contact for members and ensure that they are kept updated about EU developments and processes likely to affect their capability to operate; and
Provide legal advice to members on EU law related issues;
Coordinate with members to gather evidence and develop background research and briefing materials.

Increase EU resources

Monitor EU funding opportunities in the field of social economy and social innovation, inform members of relevant opportunities and coordinate potential application processes;
Engage with EU policy makers to influence the priorities of EU funding programmes linked to social economy and social innovation;
Assist National Societies by providing legal advice on overcoming obstacles to accessing or implementing EU funds on request.

Additional tasks

Participate in the Migration and Social Inclusion Unit’s day-to-day tasks and contribute, where appropriate to the transversal tasks of the office, such as the development of internal newsletters, public communication outputs, cross-cutting advocacy initiatives and other relevant tasks as required;
Represent the RCEU Office in the European Legal Support Group (ELSG);
Support the RCEU Office on GDPR compliance as needed.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education

University degree in law;
Masters in EU Law is desirable.

Experience

At least 2 years of experience in EU social affairs and/or social economy (legal, political, humanitarian). Experience in the EU institutions is an asset;
Experience working in the context of a membership organisation is desirable;
Experience with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including with a National Society, is an asset;
Experience/knowledge in managing and maintaining relationships with external partners;
Excellent understanding of EU processes and working mechanisms;
Practical experiences in writing position papers and recommendations in the related areas.

Skills, abilities and knowledge

Skilled at writing reports, papers and briefings in English;
Good understanding of relevant EU policies on associations and non-profit law, employment and labour law, and procurement law;
Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills, cooperative attitude and ease in engaging with diverse interlocutors;
Great teamwork skills, but also the ability to work independently;
Curiosity and openness to exploring and understanding the work of Red Cross societies at national and local levels;
Knowledge of National Red Cross Societies’ mandate and activities in the social sector is preferred;
Ability to negotiate and coordinate different views and positions with a positive attitude and a strong sense of diplomacy and tact;
Interest in advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy;
Good working knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point, MS Teams;
Fluently spoken and written English;
Good command of another European language is an asset.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

One year contract (possibility of extension), subject to Belgian labour legislation (this requires an official registration in Belgium);
Full time position of 38 hours per week;
Based in Brussels, Belgium, with occasional travel within Europe;
The monthly gross salary ranges between EUR 2.900 and EUR 3.200 depending on experience. We further offer an attractive compensation and benefits package.