Strategic Partnerships Intern

Reporting to: EU Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Officer

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Type of position: Intern (Convention d’Immersion Professionnelle – CIP)

Application closing: 2 October 2022

Job start date: November 2022

Background

Interpeace is an International Organisation for peacebuilding that strengthens the ability of societies to manage conflict themselves in sustainable and non-violent ways. Interpeace designs and delivers its work tailored to each situation in partnership with local partners and communities, based on extensive consultation and research. Interpeace also ensures that the processes of conflict management and change that it supports are integrated at all levels of society including local communities, civil society, government and the international community (we call it a ‘Track 6’ approach).

Interpeace was originally established by the United Nations and remains its strategic partner. Beyond field-based peacebuilding, Interpeace also assists the international community – particularly the UN – to be more effective in supporting peacebuilding efforts worldwide. This includes contributing innovative thought leadership on peacebuilding policies and practices.

Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva and has offices around the world.

For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org

Position within the Organization

The Strategic Partnerships Intern (hereafter “the Intern”) is a member of the Strategic Partnerships Unit, whose members are based in Brussels and Nairobi. Under the general supervision of the EU Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Officer, the Intern supports the daily work on engagement with governments, in particular Interpeace’s Strategic Partners, and the European Union.

Purpose and General Overview

The objectives of the Intern are to support Interpeace’s engagement efforts towards government, with a focus on Strategic Partners, and with the European Union. The Intern particularly supports the EU Affairs and Strategic Partnerships officer in developing, maintaining and expanding Interpeace’s strategic partnerships. S/he supports the implementation of Interpeace’s policy and advocacy priorities through monitoring, analysis, evaluation and dissemination of EU and Member States’ policy.

Under the supervision of the EU Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Officer, the Intern engages with the other member of the Strategic Partnerships unit on overall engagement strategies and priorities. The Intern will also, in close coordination with the EU Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Officer, engage with other Interpeace staff, particularly the Senior EU Representative and Adviser, members of the Executive Office, as well as the policy, programme management and programme development units.

Externally, the Intern engages with working level representatives of Interpeace’s strategic partners and other governments, the EU, as well as with other NGOs/CSOs to gather policy and programmatic developments and trends. S/he provides support in the organization of events and gathering of information. S/he supports the EU Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Officer in the preparation, execution and follow up of meetings with Member State and EU officials.

The Intern does not work in high risk environments. There may be occasional missions to Geneva and/or capitals to support the implementation of the Strategic Partnerships priorities and to exchange on priorities related to Interpeace’s policy and programmatic engagement.

Duties and responsibilities

Engagement & communication

• Drafting correspondence and meeting records, and by helping to establish an internal contact management, engagement and reporting system to strengthen the management of existing or emerging partners
• Support the drafting of concept notes, project proposals and strategy documents
• Support communications and media engagement efforts through drafting of communications material
• Assist in the development and implementation of funding plans and a fundraising strategy

Analysis & monitoring

• Assist in the monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the progress of Strategic Partnerships and engagement with the EU
• Proactively monitor and conduct background research on EU and Member States policy developments and help develop background briefings for Interpeace staff
• Identify funding opportunities by Member States, the EU, the UN and private foundations and by supporting proposal development

Meetings and events

• Assist in the organization of special Interpeace activities in capitals, Geneva and Brussels (events, visits, programme communication), including through logistics and preparation of background material
• Assist in the organization of strategic partnership events or meetings, including the organization of regular meetings of the Advisory Council and the drafting of meeting reports and minutes
• Participate in and support roundtable discussions, networks and NGO meetings (physical and online), in particular of the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO), to gather insights for Interpeace’s programmatic and policy development and Strategic Partnerships engagement
• Undertake any other assignments, as may be determined by the EU Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Officer

Qualifications:

Education

• First-level university degree in political sciences, international relations, European studies, or related subjects; a second-level degree is an asset

Experience

• Initial working experience in the form of an internship or related in the field of peacebuilding, development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and/or in an EU institution or Member State government
• Proven experience and ability to work successfully as part of a diverse and multicultural team (can also be in academia), integrating a gender perspective into tasks and activities and collaborating effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders

Competencies

• Excellent written and oral English, good command of French; other languages are an asset
• Good understanding of the international political and development landscape, including of the works of the United Nations and other international and regional organizations
• Advanced understanding of the functioning of the European Union, particularly EU external action
• Basic understanding of peacebuilding and conflict prevention issues
• Excellent research, analytical and organizational skills
• Good command of Excel or related software for the management and engagement with points of contacts
• Attention to detail, autonomy and pro-activity
• Ability to interact with people respectfully and with tact
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate gender-responsive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes
• Ability to manage several tasks at once, work against short deadlines and remain calm and focused under pressure

Interpeace Competencies

• Collaboration and Weaving
• Communication
• Drive for results
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning
• Respect for Diversity

Other assets

• Experience in non-profit or international organizations
• Experience in engaging with external stakeholders, particularly from the EU institutions and Member States

Success factors

• Identifies with and is committed to Interpeace’s core values and working principles
• Commitment to inclusiveness
• An innovative, critical thinker with extensive problem-solving skills

Conditions and application process

This is a full-time internship with duration of 6 months, based in Brussels (Belgium). The Intern will receive a monthly stipend as per Belgian legislation.