European Advocacy & Research Officer

Position description

The postholder will be known internally as the “European Policy Forum Coordinator”.

Location: Based in Belgium, working remotely
Salary: €48,000 gross per year (including the thirteenth month and holiday pay) + reimbursement of monthly transport pass within Brussels
Contract: Full-time role, starting with a one-year contract with possibility of renewal. The working week is 35 hours
Leave entitlement: 30 days of annual leave (including 3 days reserved for the Christmas - New Year shutdown period) + Belgian public holidays
Reports to: Director of Advocacy
Website: https://humanists.international/about/work-with-us/

About the role:

Humanists International is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the team as its European Advocacy & Research Officer/European Policy Forum Coordinator.

The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating Humanists International's European Policy Forum, which is a self-funded project made up of a group of 23 European Member and Associate organizations who work together to strengthen human rights advocacy within their countries and in Europe more broadly via the forum, including at the European Union institutions and Council of Europe. The aim of the Forum is for its member organizations to collectively help inform advocacy goals and to share good practice and work on common campaigns. As part of their work with the Forum, the successful candidate will also advocate at European Institutions on some of the priority issues of the Forum members, with a current emphasis on: freedom of religion or belief; promoting democracy and Civil Society participation; non-discrimination against humanists and the non-religious and other minorities; and highlighting humanists at risk. They will also facilitate, where possible, members speaking and engaging at the European level.

In addition to this work, the successful candidate will dedicate one day a week (20% of their working hours) to researching and writing entries for Humanists International’s Freedom of Thought Report (with priority going to European entries).

Breakdown of tasks and responsibilities:

As the European Advocacy & Research Officer/European Policy Forum Coordinator, the successful applicant will:

1. Coordinate the European Policy Forum, by:

• • Facilitating and organizing regular meetings with and between Forum members;
  • Liaising with Forum members to use their knowledge and experience to feed into research and output;
  • Creating and sharing a monthly update of European advocacy news for Forum members;
  • Holding bilaterals with Forum members and supporting them in European-related research that may be needed;
  • Developing, implementing, and coordinating initiatives guided by the Forum;
  • Undertaking any relevant administrative tasks.

2. Advocate at EU Institutions, by:

• • Representing and speaking on behalf of the Forum at meetings of different sizes in the European context;
  • Drafting submissions to European institutions on key issues;
  • Lobbying around European Parliament resolutions;
  • Facilitating Forum members speaking engagements as part of Article 17 meetings and related events;
  • Calling for action on cases of humanists at risk (where appropriate) from European institutions;
  • Working with other civil society actors to lobby on common causes and mobilize on issues of concern.

3. Contribute to the Freedom of Thought report, and advocacy around it, by:

• • Researching and writing (priority European) country updates for the Freedom of Thought report - to be submitted to the Report Editor for review;
  • Uploading entries online once completed;
  • Working with Forum members to ensure accuracy of relevant European entries;
  • Engaging with the EU Special Envoy on FoRB and European institutions on issues around freedom of thought worldwide.

Person specification:

Essential:

• Excellent understanding of, interest in, and demonstrable commitment to human rights and equality issues - particularly in the current priority areas of Humanists International;
• Demonstrable strong knowledge and background in European advocacy, European human rights law, international relations, or at European Institutions;
• Familiarity (academic and/or practical) with the European political Institutions and landscape;
• Good research, analytical and writing skills, and an excellent command of English;
• Well-organized, efficient and able to work independently;
• Experience in coordinating groups or organizations, or individuals to work together on joint actions and initiatives;
• A clear and convincing communicator;
• Happy to work in a remote team and to work from home.

Desired:

• Excellent understanding of, and sympathy with, the philosophy and policies of Humanists International;
• A good knowledge of other international NGOs and their role and scope;
• Good knowledge of French.

 

Application instructions

To apply, please consult the full role description and person specification (available here) and then send your completed application form (docx) to [email protected] by 09:00 (CEST) on 12 May 2025. Please make the subject of your email “European Advocacy & Research Officer Application.” We do not accept CVs or cover letters.

Interviews are currently scheduled to take place online on 22 May. Candidates invited for interview will be asked to complete a short written exercise ahead of the interview.

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