Project Assistant

Internship/Volunteering Opportunity

UNPO Advocacy Office - Brussels

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is an international membership organization working in the field of human rights, self-determination, indigenous issues, democracy and non-violence. UNPO represents 43 nations, minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide, and was established in 1991 at the Peace Palace in The Hague. UNPO’s worldwide activities are coordinated and implemented from the organization’s headquarters in The Hague and a regional advocacy office in Brussels.

Students and young professionals from all over the world, with degrees in international relations, political science, international law, development and political/social geography and a range of work experience have undertaken internships at the UNPO. Interns are offered a unique work experience, with a wide range of responsibilities in a multicultural environment that uses English as the main working language. Each intern is given the opportunity to develop and implement their academic, organizational, political, administrative and research skills.

Interns are expected to have a mature and flexible attitude, display good time management skills, be able to undertake work independently and conduct accurate research. The intern should enjoy working in an internationally oriented office where a multitude of tasks will be assigned. The internship requires a high degree of responsibility and autonomy from the intern, but in turn promises an equally rewarding experience.

Job Title: Project Assistant, 2 positions

Contract: Volunteer

Duration: 4 months (minimum)

Start: June-July 2014

Deadline for applications: 2 June 2014

Job Description:

Interns are expected to undertake tasks that include the organization of conferences, seminars and other events, the monitoring of United Nations and European Parliament events (with possible attendance depending on the period of engagement), the conducting of research on UNPO Members; website management; advocacy and lobbying, project planning and implementation.

Intern requirements:

Essential:

• Genuine interest in and basic knowledge of minority rights, self-determination, indigenous peoples and human rights.
• Ability to work under limited supervision and take initiative under tight deadlines.
• Ability to run short term, self-directed projects.
• Excellent command of oral and written English.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Good knowledge of the new social media.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the international structures available to assist oppressed or disadvantaged peoples with particular focus on the European Union and the United Nations.
• Working knowledge of other EU/UN languages and/or languages of our Members.
• Basic knowledge of website management.

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Please note that applications from representatives of UNPO Members are encouraged.

If you are interested in undertaking an internship at UNPO please send an application that includes the following:

Cover Letter (1 page only) addressed to UNPO General Secretary Mr. Marino Busdachin

Curriculum Vitae (2 pages only)

Writing Sample (essay/extract of maximum 1000 words in English, preferably relevant to the work of UNPO)

Please mark subject line: Internship Application – Project Assistant: YOUR NAME, and indicate clearly in your letter the exact time period you would be available for an internship placement.

Send your complete application to brusselsinternships@unpo.org

Applications not meeting the above criteria risk being disqualified from the outset.