EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON REFUGEES & EXILES

LEGAL & POLICY INTERNSHIPS

STARTING JULY 2004 BASED IN LONDON

The European Council on Refugees & Exiles (ECRE) is an organisation established in 1974 for co-operation between 78 non-governmental organisations in Europe concerned with refugees. ECRE’s objective is to promote through joint analysis, research and information exchange, a humane and generous asylum policy in Europe. ECRE is concerned with the needs of individuals who seek asylum in Europe and the development of a comprehensive response to the global refugee problem.

ECRE offers two internship positions at its Secretariat in London starting July 2004.

Legal Internship

The Legal Intern works closely with the Legal Officer. The intern’s work will include specific legal projects and research activities as well as day-to-day tasks such as the responding to information requests from lawyers and NGOs throughout Europe and the preparation and dissemination of briefs on relevant legal development within Europe.

Policy Internship

The Policy Intern works closely with the Policy Officer. The intern’s work will include policy projects and research activities on specific issues relating to refugee protection in Europe as well as day-to-day tasks such as responding to information requests from NGOs throughout Europe.

Both interns are active members of the Policy and Advocacy Department of the Secretariat attending team and general staff meetings. The Secretariat has 16 staff members (two of which are based in Brussels), excluding interns and consultants, who work in three departments: the Policy and Advocacy Department, the Membership and Development Department, and the Resources Unit.

Both internships run for a period of 6 months preferably full-time and are unpaid. Interns receive a small compensation to cover daily travel expenses within the London area and lunch. Interns are responsible for their own accommodation and other living expenses.

Interns are expected to be able to work independently, using their initiative and able to manage their own workload. Interns also do their own administrative work and assist the Legal/Policy Officer with general office tasks if necessary.

Applicants for the legal internship should hold a post-graduate degree in law and be specialised in international and European refugee and human rights law (ECHR).

Applicants for the policy internship should hold a postgraduate degree from an institute of higher education in a relevant area (political or social sciences, human rights or development studies, etc).

For both posts, fluent oral and written English, typing ability and knowledge of Microsoft Office packages are essential. Applicants should have proven knowledge of and interest in international and European asylum, refugee and human rights issues. A working knowledge of another European language, in particular, French and/or German is useful.

Any persons interested should send a curriculum vitae and a sample of original written work in English (for example, an extract from a dissertation or essay) by Friday 4 June 2004 to the appropriate contact person below indicating the internship for which they wish to be considered.

For legal internship applications:

For the attention of Chris Nash to cnash@ecre.org

For policy internship applications:

For the attention of Patricia Coelho to pcoelho@ecre.org.

Applications can also be sent by fax to +44 (0)20 7377 7586 or by post to ECRE Secretariat, 103 Worship Street, London EC2A 2DF, UK.

Regrettably, due to the large number of applications we usually receive, it is not possible to write to you should you not be short-listed. If you have not heard from us within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

ECRE is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and encourages applications from refugees.