Internship in Council of Europe for Young Roma, Strasbourg

Deadline: 10 June 2011
Open to: young Roma from any Central and Eastern European member state
Remuneration: a stipend of 500 CHF per month
Duration/Place: 3 months, Strasbourg

The Council of Europe in cooperation with the Open Society Institute is pleased to offer three month internships to young Roma
students/professional at the Council of Europe (Strasbourg). The aim of the internship programme, which receives the financial support of the Open Society Institute (OSI), is to train young Roma in administration and civil service and to familiarise them with work in the intergovernmental sector. The trainees will have the opportunity to obtain qualifications which may help them integrate local, national or international administrations.

Who Can Apply

  • Young Roma from any Central and Eastern European member state
  • Complete secondary education/preferably university or equivalent level (including social workers and mediators/advisors on Roma issues), in areas such as law, political sciences, sociology/anthropology, economics, social studies, psychology, education or international relations
  • Working language: good command (written, read and spoken) of at least one of the official languages of the Council of Europe (French and English); knowledge of other languages is desirable (Romani in particular)
  • Ability to work in a team and to adapt to a new environment
  • Good drafting ability required

Trainees are selected by a common decision of the Support Team of the Special Representative to the Secretary General for Roma Issues and the Open Society Institute following the principle of fair geographical distribution.

Duties

Trainees will be working with the Support Team of the Special Representative to the Secretary General for Roma Issues. Should they
wish, the opportunity might be provided to spend the whole 3 months or part of the internship in other departments, provided that the chosen service has the possibility to take on a trainee. Trainees will be given an opportunity – especially through the induction course arranged for them – to find out about the Council’s structures, activities and international co-operation procedures, including the implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights. Furthermore, they will have the opportunity of attending sittings of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly and other meetings taking place during their stay in Strasbourg.

The every day work of the trainees will consist of:
· Assistance in the preparation of international meetings,field visits and conferences taking place in Strasbourg or in member states ;
· Preparation and drafting of substance documents/files on different topics
· Assistance in answering requests for information/research in the documentation centre of the Support Team of the SRSG for Roma Issues;
· Taking part in the daily work of the team, ie. administrative tasks, team meetings, internal coordination on Roma issues ;
· Opportunity to attend parts of the European Parliament sessions (once a month in Strasbourg) and sessions of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly;
· Opportunity to become acquainted/establish links with the local Romani community through NGO contacts;
· Opportunity to spend part of the internship in other sectors of the Organisation, depending on the wishes and competences of the trainees and facilities in other sectors.

Costs

A scholarship offered by the Open Society Institute will be allocated to the selected applicants (1 per session of three months). It should cover travel expenses from and to the country of origin, accommodation costs and subsistence expenses. Cost for health and accident insurance will be deducted from the grant . Office space and computer are provided.

15 August – 15 November – deadline for application : 10 June 2011

How to Apply

The applicants are kindly requested to fill in the attached form and to prepare a letter of motivation, explaining why they wish to apply for an internship at the Council of Europe, Support Team of the Speacial Representative to the Secretary General for Roma Issues and what benefit they expect from such an experience. Letters of endorsement or recommendation are welcome. Selection will be based on language skills, the motivation letter and education performance.

Applications should be addressed, in English or French, to Mrs Eleni Tsetsekou – Eleni.tsetsekou@coe.int, Administrator, Support Team of the Speacial Representative to the Secretary General for Roma Issues, Council of Europe, F-67075
Strasbourg Cedex, France., fax: 0033390214053

The Official Website

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