Internship: European Affairs and Partnership At Search for Common Ground

Search for Common Ground seeks a professional, motivated intern to assist its European Affairs and Partnership (EAP) team in all European business development activities, including funding research, fundraising data analysis, and support to proposal development. Interns must be available at least 32 hours per week for a period of four to six months from September 2021 onward. Depending on the intern’s individual learning goals and interests, which will be determined at the beginning of the internship, the EAP intern can gain the following knowledge and skills:

• Insights into peacebuilding and conflict transformation methodologies and programming
• Knowledge of the work of European institutions and European governments on the topic of peacebuilding
• Experience of business development: understanding of funding instruments and funding research; proposal development
• Skills to better organize and prioritize own work, time management
• Expanded network in Brussels

Progress against the learning objectives will be monitored by the intern and their supervisor. The learning objectives and/or tasks may be modified during the internship if this is deemed appropriate by both parties.

The EAP intern will be an integral part of the EAP and Search Brussels team. The intern’s responsibilities will depend on the internship priorities and will include:

Business development (70%)

• Conduct research on European (EU, governments, foundations) funding opportunities
• Support the writing and reviewing of proposals and related documents
• Analysis of fundraising data
• Other tasks related to business development

Other support (30%)

• Database administration
• Provide general administrative support

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 responsibilities.

Education and skills requirements

• Bachelor Degree, preferably in international relations, conflict studies, development studies, political science or similar; completed or ongoing studies in a relevant field at Master’s level are an asset;
• Good knowledge of European institutions and understanding of EU decision-making procedures;
• Demonstrated research skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail;
• Prior (volunteering) experience in business development or a related field is an asset;
• Excellent oral and written communication in English and French; knowledge of Dutch, or any other European language is an asset;
• Good organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously within a demanding environment.

Behavioral Competencies

• Working with People. The ability to respect the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy, listens, supports; consults others and shares information and expertise, builds team spirit and adapts to the team.
• Flexibility. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities, to tolerate ambiguity, to adapt personal style to different people and situations.
• Communication. The ability to effectively exchange information with others, to effectively deliver critical information, to gather information and communicate with others.
• Ethical Practice. The ability to integrate Search vision, mission and core values, integrity and accountability throughout all organizational and business practices.
• Commitment to Search Values: Audacity, Tenacity, Cooperation, Empathy, Results.

Duration: The candidate must be available at least 32 hours per week for a period of four to six months from September 2021 onward; candidates available for a full-time, six-month internship are preferred.

Compensation: The internship will fall under the Convention d’Immersion Professionnelle (CIP), a framework for internships in Belgium. Hence the candidates must have the legal ability to live and work in Belgium. The internship will be compensated with 813 EUR/month.

Residency requirement: Please note that EU residency is required for this

Location: Brussels. Depending on how the COVID-19 pandemic develops, the intern might be asked to work from home.

Deadline: Candidates are asked to submit their application by August 15, 2021.