EU Advocacy Intern

5Rights Foundation is a globally active NGO working to build the digital world children and young people deserve. We are looking for an outstanding young professional to join our small and high-impact EU team. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and ambitious graduate to learn the ropes of advocacy while and play a concrete role in driving global social change.

About 5Rights

5Rights Foundation exists to ensure a digital world that will serve children and young people today and for future generations.

We are a dynamic team of senior professionals and experts delivering change in how the digital world works. We have shifted the narrative and the agenda through provocative comms campaigns (e.g. Twisted Toys), pioneering research (e.g. Pathways) and award-winning tools (e.g. Child Online Safety Toolkit). We continue to drive real-life change thanks to an outstanding track-record of delivering legislation (e.g. Californian Age Appropriate Design Code), policy and regulatory frameworks (e.g. UNCRC General comment No. 25), and industry standards (e.g. IEEE 2089).

The Role

5Rights Foundation in 2021 set up an office in Brussels to advocate and influence for change through EU policy and legislation to protect children’s safety and rights online. Since then, we have had substantial success in driving our agenda at the EU-level, not least with the strong provisions for children in the DSA. Our current work priorities include DSA implementation, the AI Act and the review of EU consumer protection law.

We are looking to hire an EU advocacy intern with a strong commitment to our work, knowledge of the EU landscape as regards digital policy, and the skills to support outreach to key stakeholders. The internship will be for 6 months, with the possibilityof full time employment thereafter.

You will be responsible for monitoring the EU tech policy and media landscapes, building and managing our network among EU policymakers and stakeholders, developing outreach materials (from policy papers to social media posts) and supporting with outreach to policy-makers and partners. Great organisational and communications skills as well as critical thinking are essential for this role.

We’re looking for someone who is proactive and can work independently, with high attention to detail and a strong drive to deliver concrete results in a fast-paced environment, and with an awareness of diverse and international audiences.

Key Responsibilities

  • Monitor and analyse EU policy and institutional developments in tech and children’s rights to inform the advocacy work of EU office.
  • Monitor EU press and social media to identify opportunities for outreach.
  • Develop and maintain our database of key EU stakeholders.
  • Draft outreach materials and manage dissemination under the supervision of the Head of EU affairs.
  • Produce content for website and social media and manage EU communication channels under the supervision of the Head of EU affairs and Communications team, ensuring content is accurate, up to date, timely, relevant and engaging.
  • Prepare and attend meetings, conferences and other events.
  • Coordinate closely with all colleagues in the advocacy teams covering International, UK and USA to ensure full integration and alignment of our work.

ESSENTIAL skills and attributes

  • Knowledge of international and EU legislation on digital and data protection.
  • A strong understanding of EU policy making and processes, as well as the EU advocacy landscape.
  • Excellent communicator, with experience in managing social media channels and creating effective engagement assets.
  • Strategic and tactical thinker, aware of the role policy plays as a lever for achieving positive change.
  • Independent worker with strong organisational and project management skills, and the ability to balance and prioritise competing tasks.
  • Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, with experience of building and leveraging relevant and useful networks.
  • Enjoys managing multiple assignment simultaneously, as well as working at pace and to tight deadlines, ensuring accurate, high-quality output.
  • Excellent spoken and written English. Other languages are an advantage.
  • A commitment to our values and mission.

DESIRABLE skills and attributes

  • Knowledge of EU and international children’s rights legislation and policy, and the issues children face in the digital environment.
  • Experience of EU advocacy.
  • Strong networking skills.
  • Creative skills (e.g. graphic design) for the production of social media materials.

Practical Details

  • Reporting line: Head of EU Affairs
  • Location: Brussels - remote
  • Duration: 6 months – April 2023 – September 2023
  • Full time, with flexibility in working hours
  • Remuneration: EUR 1350/month

How to Apply

We are a small but ambitious organisation with a team of hard-working and committed people. If you believe you can contribute positively to our work and to growing our influence and reputation, please send a CV and brief covering letter explaining what you would bring to 5Rights before 20 March to: https://5rightsfoundation.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoard/Opening.aspx?v=1feab20b-9bae-4e56-a27b-9e16c5c6e974

5Rights Foundation is committed to building a diverse team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration irrespective of age, racial or ethnic background, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.