Media Assistant (Internship) JRS

JRS-Europe seeks a Media Assistant (twelve month internship position) to be a part of the Policy and Communications team. S/he will undertake a critical function in the implementation of JRS-Europe’s mission.

Position summary
As a part of the Policy and Communications team, the Media Assistant will benefit from the opportunity to work within a non-governmental organisation with a clear European dimension, and to obtain an inside-view of the EU policymaking process as it concerns asylums seekers, forced migrants and refugees. The Media Assistant will assist the JRS-Europe team in the implementation of its communications strategy. S/he will report to the Communications Officer.

The Media Assistant has the following key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain communication tools, including: posting items onto the main website and maintaining and updating its content; drafting news articles and press releases; obtaining input and drafting stories for the internal and external newsletter; taking part in the design of leaflets and the annual report;
• Assist in the planning, organisation and implementation of press and public events;
• • Edit and proofread texts that are directed towards internal and external audiences, such as research reports, policy papers, leaflets and website material;
• Attend meetings with Brussels-based NGOs, as necessary, and maintain relations with communications and press officers of partner organisations;
• Assist in the planning, organisation and implementation of JRS-Europe led meetings, such as: staff meetings, JRS-Europe national director meetings, annual general meetings;
• Undertake work-related travel as necessary.

Person specification
The Media Assistant needs to be someone who:

• Shares the vision and values of JRS;
• Is open-minded toward migrant and refugee issues;
• Is capable of executing word-processing and Internet functions, and maintains a sufficient knowledge of programmes such as MS FrontPage, Joomla web editor, Adobe InDesign, and other similar design and website programmes;
• Maintains an excellent command of oral and written English, comparable to that of a native speaker;
• Possesses demonstrated media and communication skills, such as experience with writing press releases, drafting new articles, conducting journalistic interviews, editing and proofreading;
• Is able to work within a team, as well as independently;
• Is a self-starter who takes initiative and offers creative ideas;
• Maintains a high level of efficiency and organisation skills.

The following desired capabilities are an advantage:

• Formal training or a university degree in communications, journalism or a related field;
• Design skills for online publishing or print publications;
• Knowledge of EU institutions and affairs relating to migration and refugee issues;
• Experience in working or volunteering within an NGO setting;
• A working knowledge of French or another European language.

Terms of appointment

• This position is offered as a professional immersion agreement (Convention d’immersion professionnelle) on a basis of 37.5 working hours per week for 12 months and is suitable for people that are at the beginning their professional career;
• A stipend of approximately €790 per month, plus health insurance, as foreseen in Belgian law;
• JRS-Europe will provide assistance with finding accommodation in Brussels;
• JRS-Europe will assume public transportation expenses and all other expenses generated by the fulfilment of this agreement, including any necessary work-related travel;
• Two days holiday per month, in addition to all official Belgian public holidays;
• Starting date: as soon as possible.

How to Apply:
Please send a comprehensive letter outlining your suitability for this internship position and a CV in English to Michael Schöpf, Regional Director, at the following e-mail address: europe@jrs.net Your letter must include the names of two referees. Incomplete applications and applications sent by post cannot be considered.

The application deadline is 27 February 2012, 13:00 CET.

Interviews for short-listed candidates will be scheduled individually on March 15th and 16th, 2012 at the JRS Europe Regional Office in Brussels.

For further information about the work of JRS-Europe please visit our websites: www.jrseurope.org and www.detention-in-europe.org