CSW Internship Scheme

Brussels Office

Thank you for your interest in applying foran internship with Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

Below you will find details of the appointment process, our organisation and our Christian values and beliefs, followed by a description of duties, a person specification and the main terms of the internship.

Please read this information carefully. An application form is also attached.

1.Selection process

Step 1

Please email your completed application form to and confirm that you fully accept CSW’s Christian ethos and faith.

Full applications should be received by CSW via email by 12 noon on Thursday 26June 2014.

Step 2

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviewon Wednesday 9 or Thursday 10July 2014.

The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory references being received.

If you have any further questions about the internship, please contact Jane Bave or by phoning +44(0)20 8329 0031.

Jane Bave

HR Manager

  1. About the internship

CSW is delighted to be able to offer an internship position running for sixmonths from September2014to February 2015 based in our Brussels office.

The scheme is designed to provide the intern with research and advocacy experience working within a human rights context, specificially promoting freedom of religion or belief for all.

The internwill support the work of CSW’s Brussels office byworkingin our Public Affairs Unit dealing with advocacy targeted at the main EU institutions (the Council of the EU, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European External Action Service). This work will consist of lobbying EU governments and other important stakeholders.

Most of the intern’s work will revolve around developing the Brussels office’s social media presence, conducting research for specific projects, becoming involved in advocacy for certain cases and assisting with advocacy campaigns. As with all posts at CSW, interns are expected to carry out some administrative duties.

The succesful intern will need to reside within easy access of our Brussels office which is located in the proximity of the main EU institutions. Unfortunately CSW is unable to assist in finding suitable accommodation.

  1. Who we are

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Core purpose

To be a voice for justice, pursuing religious freedom for all.

Our remit

We exist to redress injustice and stand in solidarity and partnership with those facing discrimination and/or persecution due to their religion.

Recognising the universality of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), we also address wider human rights violations, prioritising those which complement our work for freedom of religion or belief and/or where we can make a unique contribution.

Our primary work is advocacy – speaking up for those who are either unable to speak up for themselves or who request further international representation. We work through high-level political lobbying in the UK, EU, US and beyond to ensure that issues of concern are addressed by key decision makers.We urge governments and other international bodies such as the United Nations and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to take specific action to address violations of religious freedom and other human rights.

Working with local partners, our highly skilled team of advocates conducts detailed research, including regular on-the-ground fact-finding visits, ensuring our information is both authentic and credible.We regularly invite politicians from across the political spectrum to join us on these visits in order that they may see the evidence of religious persecution and other human rights abuses firsthand, and to encourage concrete political activity.We regularly host delegations from other countries in the UK, Brussels and Washington to meet officials and parliamentarians in order that they may raise their concerns first-hand.

We work to promote the plight of the persecuted to the wider public through print, broadcast and online media and high profile events. Our staff and visiting delegations have featured in national and international media, including the Telegraph, the Times, the Independent, BBC News 24, Newsnight, the Todayprogramme, BBC World Service, Sky News and CNN.

  1. Christian Solidarity Worldwide

The organisation began in 1979 following the imprisonment of the Russian Baptist Pastor Georgi Vins, who had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and five years’ internal exile for actively professing his Christian faith.

CSW is a registered charity based in England with our main office located in south-west London. Our office in Brussels coordinates our lobbying of the European Union institutions. CSW has International Partners in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Norway, Denmark and France, and works with local partners in over 25 countries around the world.

CSW’s Advocacy Department is led by theChief Operating Officer, Andy Dipper, and comprises a team of staff with responsibility for our research and advocacy work in the following regions: East Asia, South Asia, Africa/Middle East and Latin America. The Public Affairs unit, which forms part of the department, is responsible for coordinating CSW’s media communication and UK, EU and UN lobbying.

  1. Our core beliefs

We are a Christian organisation, with staff from a wide range of church traditions. The UK, Brussels, and Washingtonoffices all meet together as a team regularly to pray for the persecuted, the persecutors, our work and each other.

Our basis of faith

The basic creed of Reformed churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles' Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

  1. Description of duties

Role overview

To support the work of CSW’s Brussels office and the Advocacy Department by assisting with advocacy activities, communications actvities and limited administrative tasks.

Main tasks

  1. To assist with the research and analysis of human rights (particularly freedom of religion or belief) information pertaining to a given country, region or situation, including developments at the EU level;
  2. To attend relevant country-specific or thematic forums and meetings for information sharing, learning and networking;
  3. To assist with the production, maintenance and distribution of up-to-date resources for key decision makers, supporters and internal CSW use;
  4. To assist in the development of our Brussels-based social media presence;
  5. To monitor EU-basedpress as well as relevant blogs;
  6. To assist with the preparation of materials for press and other media, in coordination with the Public Affairs Unit;
  7. To assist in updating advocacy lists in the contact database;
  8. To assist with the planning and logistics of fact-finding visits and visiting delegations;
  9. To assist in the coordination and follow-up tasks related to CSW’s cooperation with major partners in Brussels and elsewhere, in particular the European Platform on Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID) and the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN);
  10. To assist in the editing of the bi-monthly Advocacy Deptartment report;
  11. To participate in regular office meetings and ad hoc Skype calls with the London office;
  12. To undertake other specific tasks at the direction of the Europe Advocate and the Chief Operating Officer which, on occasion, may mean working outside normal office hours and at other locations.
  1. Person specification

(E) Essential (D) Desirable

Personal faith

  • Accept and respect the Christian belief and ethos of CSW’s ministry (E)
  • Committed to affirm, pray and encourage the ministry of CSW (E)

[This post falls within the definition of Article 13 of the Belgian anti-discrimination law of 10 May 2007.]

Personal circumstances

  • Lives within easy travel of CSW Brussels office or willing to move (E)
  • Has permission to reside and work in Brussels and Belgium secured (E)

Experience

  • Interest in human rights, politics and justice issues (E)

Education, qualifications and other requirements

  • Educated to at least bachelor degree level (E)

Knowledge

  • Advanced level use of Microsoft Word and Outlook; Excel to intermediate level (E)
  • Fluent written and spoken English (E)
  • Understanding in written and spoken French (E)
  • Knowledge and familiarity with social media platforms (E)
  • Knowledge ofhow the EU functions (E) and some understanding of how EU advocacy works in practice (D)
  • Other foreign language skills are an advantage (D)
  • Knowledge of the charity and NGO sector are an advantage (D)

Skills

Communications

  • Social media networking/blogging skills (E)
  • Strong creative writing and issue writing skills(in English) (E)
  • Project management abilities (D)
  • Knowledge and understanding of social justice issues (D)

Research

  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy to ensure quality of research (E)
  • Proven excellent research skills (E)
  • Proven excellent writing and analytical skills (E)
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and grasp new information and detail (E)
  • Proven persuasive skills, both oral and written, and/or lobbying experience (D)

Organisational/team

  • Proven ability to take initiatives (E)
  • Flexibility, calmness and ability to work under pressure (E)
  • Ability to handle emotional challenges including dealing with troubling information (E)
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to play a positive role in a team (E)
  • Proven ability to think strategically and to prepare and implement strategy (D)
  1. Main terms

Hours of work

4 days per week [28 hours] 9-5pm

Salary

A monthly allowance of €730.00 gross

Annual holiday

10 days’holiday, excluding public holidays

Notice

4 weeks’ written notice on either side

Duration

1 September 2014 - 26 February 2015