MHE is looking for a Policy and Research Officer
Mental Health Europe (MHE) seeks to expand its dynamic team in Brussels by hiring a Policy and Research Officer. The Policy and Research Officer will support MHE’s work in the field of mental health across different policy and research fields.
Are you interested in working in the field of mental health and human rights at the European level? Do you have knowledge of the EU institutions and at least 2 years of relevant policy and advocacy work experience? If so, come and work with us!
We offer a full time (or a part-time) contract to work in our Brussels-based office and a great opportunity to promote mental health and to advance the rights of people with mental ill health in Europe.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Carrying out work on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with regards to persons with psychosocial disabilities;
- Providing political intelligence, strategic support and expertise in the field of mental health, disability and fundamental rights, including on the rights of vulnerable groups;
- Conducting research and producing reports on policies and promising practices related to psychosocial disability, human rights, and mental health and its determinants;
- Supporting MHE’s work on mainstreaming mental health in EU policies;
- Liaising with relevant institutions, human rights bodies, and other organisations active at the European level;
- Contributing to the development of policy campaigning and advocacy strategies, preparing statements, position papers, briefings in collaboration with the Communications and Policy Managers.
An ideal candidate should have:
- Master’s level or higher education and a minimum of 2 years (after internships) of relevant work experience in the area of mental health policy and/or human rights;
- Knowledge of the EU institutions, relevant EU and International policies in the human rights and mental health field, along with experience of policy advocacy work;
- Strong research and analytical skills;
- Good policy awareness with the ability to interpret and communicate policy developments;
- Understanding of and commitment to the psychosocial model of mental health and social model of disability;
- Fluency in English – native level (written and spoken). Language skills will be tested during the interview with a writing exercise;
- Excellent writing skills (research and advocacy reports, articles, project proposals, other publications);
- Strong communication skills and ability to communicate clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences;
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to work autonomously, prioritise, take initiative and meet deadlines;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a small, busy, international team and to collaborate with a varied membership;
- Willingness to travel;
- Computer literacy.
- A full-time position (80% part-time position can be considered) with a 1 year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension to a permanent contract after the first year;
- A competitive NGO salary, according to experience and in line with MHE’s salary scales;
- The possibility to contribute to better mental health for all;
- Work in a friendly, creative, flexible working environment at the heart of the Brussels EU district in a small, dynamic, open minded and international team;
- Hospitalisation insurance, contribution to public transport, pension scheme, and lunch vouchers;
- MHE is an equal opportunities employer.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted to MHE Director Claudia Marinetti via claudia.marinetti@mentalhealtheurope.org by 08 April 2020. Please specify in the email subject “Application for MHE Policy & Research Officer post”.
Applications should include only the following attachments:
- A cover letter (no longer than 1 page) explicitly describing how the candidate’s profile matches the different job requirements described above and what is the motivation for the post.
- A document (no longer than half a page) where the candidate addresses the following question: What do you see as the three key priorities in 2020-2021 for the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities at European level and how can you contribute?
- A CV, including details of two persons who can be contacted for references
Closing date for applications: 8 April 2020
Date of interviews: 14-15 April 2020 (conducted remotely)
Starting date employment: as soon as possible
All applicants must be qualified, eligible and able to work in Belgium. We are unfortunately not able to provide financial assistance to relocate to Brussels/Belgium. Due to the large number of applications foreseen, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We thank you for your interest in our vacancy.
About Mental Health Europe
Mental Health Europe is a European non-governmental network organisation working for the promotion of positive mental health, the prevention of mental distress, and the improvement of care and community-based recovery. We continuously champion social inclusion and the protection of the rights of (ex)users of mental health services, persons with psychosocial disabilities, their families and carers. We raise awareness to end mental health stigma throughout Europe. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the foundation of our work.
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