Belgium: European Affairs and Partnerships Internship

Preferred start date: 18 July 2016

Duration: Six months, on a full time basis

Location: Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Brussels, Belgium

Search for Common Ground – Brussels Headquarters is seeking an intern to provide support to the team’s overall policy and fundraising activities.

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organisation that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and in Brussels, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organisations, and governments deal with conflict – away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. Search seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities.

For over three decades, Search has been a leader in implementing innovative conflict transformation programs in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and in documenting its experiences and evidence for the broader field. With offices and staff in 60 cities in 49 countries around the world, we are a global organization that draws on local insight and in-depth knowledge.

The organisation is an exciting and rewarding place in which to work, with dedicated and enthusiastic staff, who are committed to its mission and values. You will be joining a highly motivated team with a good team spirit.

Search in Brussels

Search for Common Ground’s Brussels headquarters is a highly effective presence for the organization, the primary purpose of which is to help advance Search’s organizational priorities by engaging with, influencing, and fundraising from, the European Union (EU) and European bilateral governments, which compose Search’s largest funding base.

Global Affairs and Partnerships (GAP)

Search’s Global Affairs and Partnerships team, of which our European Affairs and Partnership team is a part, is a dynamic team, combining our field-based expertise with policy and fundraising expertise. Our EAP’s core purpose is to raise and develop Search as a thought-leader in Europe and drive transformational change in the peacebuilding sector, driving more resources towards our field in general, and Search in particular.

Summary of the Position

The EAP Intern will be an integral part of a dynamic Brussels Headquarters team and will report to the European Affairs and Partnerships Manager. The intern’s key responsibilities include Desk Research to support Search’s policy, fundraising and visibility goals.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct desk research related to fundraising with a special focus on European bilateral donors, and European media news on peacebuilding issues;


• Identify and research opportunities for new program development and partnerships;


• Under the supervision of the EAP Associate, contribute to the implementation of the Outreach Strategy, including communications, social media tools, updating SFCG’s website, and assisting with conference logistics


• Represent Search for Common Ground at relevant events and public meetings and take notes when requested;


• Maintain and update computerized database of donors and prospects;


• Provide administrative support to the office;

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Minimum qualifications

• BA or MA in International Relations, Political Science, Conflict Studies or Communications;


• Written and spoken fluency in English and French;


• Advanced computer skills

The ideal candidate will further exhibit

• A self-starting, enthusiastic and flexible work style;


• Demonstrable interest in conflict resolution and peacebuilding;


• Superb writing, editing and communication skills;


• Attention to detail;


• Ability to handle multiple tasks and tight deadlines.