Representative to The European Union

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SOS Children's Villages, founded in 1949 by Hermann Gmeiner, is the world's largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it.

Child neglect, abuse and abandonment is everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. Locally led, we work in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child or young person's best interests, we provide quality care according to their unique needs.

Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people and families, we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We speak up for each child's rights and advocate for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment.

**Location**:Brussels, Belgium
**Duration**: Full-time, unlimited

**Mission**

The Representative to the EU leads advocacy of SOS Children’s Villages towards the European Union institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg, and ensures engagements with key actors and networks that allow the organization to influence EU policies and practices relevant to our target group.

As member of the international advocacy team, the role contributes to key team activities and meetings, regularly shares with the team strategic intelligence to contribute to the global advocacy strategy and positions and is in charge of their delivery at EU level.

The Representative to the EU provides Member Associations with strategic support and coordination to engage with and influence EU processes, policies, legislations, funding frameworks and programmes. This includes developing and overseeing the implementation of a joint EU advocacy plan and its annual review, in close cooperation with the Member Associations and the regional advocacy advisors of the European and North America (EUNA) and the Central & Eastern Europe and Middle East (EUCM) regions.

The role coordinates with the EU Institutional Partnership Development (IPD) team leader, based in Brussels, to ensure that advocacy and EU fundraising efforts of SOS Children’s Villages act in synergy and that we speak with one voice towards the EU.

**Tasks & Responsibilities**

The Representative to the EU leads advocacy of SOS Children’s Villages towards the European Union institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg, and ensures engagements with key actors and networks that allow the organization to influence EU policies and practices relevant to our target group.

As member of the international advocacy team, the role contributes to key team activities and meetings, regularly shares with the team strategic intelligence to contribute to the global advocacy strategy and positions and is in charge of their delivery at EU level.

The Representative to the EU provides Member Associations with strategic support and coordination to engage with and influence EU processes, policies, legislations, funding frameworks and programmes. This includes developing and overseeing the implementation of a joint EU advocacy plan and its annual review, in close cooperation with the Member Associations and the regional advocacy advisors of the European and North America (EUNA) and the Central & Eastern Europe and Middle East (EUCM) regions.

The role coordinates with the EU Institutional Partnership Development (IPD) team leader, based in Brussels, to ensure that advocacy and EU fundraising efforts of SOS Children’s Villages act in synergy and that we speak with one voice towards the EU.

**Requirements**:

- Minimum 10 years of work experience in the human rights, public policy, humanitarian and development sector, including at least 5 years with a role related to policy and advocacy.
- Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with relevant work experience) in international relations, EU studies, political science, human rights, or any other degree that is relevant to the humanitarian and development field.
- In-depth knowledge of the EU decision-making and policy processes, and how these may be influenced for positive change to help vulnerable groups.
- Experience of working in and/or leading broad civil society coalitions, and building networks with key stakeholders.
- Commitment to SOS Children’s Villages’ vision and mission and to promoting the rights and well-being of children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Proven project and team management experience
- Team player and self-starter with excellent communications skills
- Excellent strategic analysis, research and problem-solving skills
- Superior facilitation, negotiation, public-speaking and diplomatic skills
- Permission to live and work in the EU
- Culturally sensitive and comfortable with working with others at a distance within a complex organizational setting
- Good coordination and organization skills, including ability to plan, organize and deliver results
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