INFORMATION & DOCUMENTATION INTERNSHIP

EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON REFUGEES & EXILES

STARTING JULY 2004 BASED IN LONDON

The European Council on Refugees & Exiles (ECRE) is an organisation established in 1974 for co-operation between non-governmental organisations in Europe concerned with refugees. ECRE now has 78 member organisations in 30 countries. 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 an Information and Documentation internship position available at its Secretariat in London starting preferably early July 2004.

The internship runs for a period of 6 months 4 days a week and is 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.

The intern will work closely with the Information Officer and is an active member of the Membership and Development Department of the Secretariat. 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.

The intern’s work will focus primarily on undertaking research into national asylum systems across Europe for chapters of the “Legal and Social Conditions for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Western Europe” publication and on tracking asylum developments across Europe. The intern will also answer requests for information from the media, lawyers, the general public, undertake some administrative tasks such as filing and cataloguing publications and at times assist with the production of newsletters and publications.

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 Information Officer with general office tasks if necessary.

A background in law would be advantageous for this position. Knowledge of international human rights law, international/national refugee law, or international law is preferable. 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 for the attention of Luisa Messina to lmessina@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.