Internship Eurogroup for Animals

Background

Eurogroup for Animals has been the leading voice for animal welfare at European Union level since 1980 representing 48 national and international animal welfare organisations. We provide a voice for the billions of animals kept in laboratories, farms and homes or living in the wild, and work to create a Europe where animals are considered and valued as contributing to our well-being, prosperity and to the sustainability of our planet.

We are looking for motivated individuals with high level of interest in animal welfare/protection and related fields. We offer guided internships focusing on specific activities or projects of Eurogroup for Animals (see below).

Eurogroup for Animals is based in Brussels and all interns work out of our Brussels office. We are looking for individuals available for at least three months (longer period preferred) in the course of 2016, starting at the end of January 2016 (specific dates to be discussed). As a non-profit organization, we are not in a position to provide financial remuneration, but will provide you with professional and substantive guidance and proper tools for your work. If requested, we will provide a successful candidate with a proof of placement for purposes of funding/scholarship applications.

Key responsibilities

Interns at Eurogroup are considered colleagues who are investing their time, effort and know-how to help progress our cause, and in exchange expect to gain practical insights into international (EU and beyond) advocacy and learn substance on a first-hand basis. As such, your key responsibilities would involve:

Assisting in research activities on specific topics relating to our main pillars of work: Animals used in farming systems, for companionship or in research as well as wild animals and trade. Contributing to strategic approaches to advocacy and lobbying within the EU institutions and other international forums;

Providing fresh ideas to outreach and information campaigns, where applicable;

Taking part in meetings within the civil society and in the EU institutions as appropriate;

Providing substantiated advice and, if necessary, talking points to senior colleagues and executives of Eurogroup;

Delivering on other tasks as requested within the portfolio of Eurogroup’s activities.

Desired profile

You are a university student or a recent graduate with an academic background in international relations, agriculture, environment, sustainable development, veterinary medicine, communications or related field;

You have a strong motivation to work with animal advocacy, experience in this or related field would be considered an advantage;

You are eager to learn and have the ability to apply newly acquired knowledge into practice quickly and with precision;

You are pro-active, positive team player and service oriented;

You work with high degree of accountability, diligence and sense of responsibility;

You are fluent in spoken and written English and preferably at least one additional EU language;

Your proven creativity, research and analytical skills would be considered a strong advantage, so would be proven knowledge of EU institutions.

Specific areas of work

At present, Eurogroup is able to offer a position covering two specific projects/areas of activity. In your application, please show your suitability for the following areas on which you would wish to focus during the internship, and explain in detail your preference and provide your applicable competencies:

International Trade(animal welfare in bilateral negotiations between EU and third countries/groups of countries, implementation of negotiated trade deals, World Trade Organization, compliance of EU legislation with international trade and investment treaties, improving of animal welfare/protection standards in third countries through negotiated agreements);

Transport(animal welfare during intra EU transport, related risks for public health, biosecurity and environment).

Application procedure

To apply for the position, please send a CV and a letter of application stating your skills, motivation and priority areas, both in English, by email to: Christine van Horen - c.vanhoren@eurogroupforanimals.org. Only successful candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.

Deadline for applications: 17:00h on Sunday, 29th November, 2015.