Job ad – Internship – February 2018

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HEAL is recruiting a campaign assistant – health and chemicals Internship starting February 2018

The Health & Environment Alliance is recruiting a campaign assistant to support HEAL’s work on health and chemicals. About HEAL The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is the leading European not-for-profit organisation addressing how the environment affects health in the European Union. With the support of more than 75 member organisations, representing health professionals, patients, citizens, women, youth and environmental experts, HEAL helps to bring independent expertise and evidence from the health community to different decision-making processes (Website: www.env-health.org) If you would like to be part of a committed team in a dynamic working environment in the heart of Brussels, here is your chance. The health and chemicals programme advocates and campaigns for the reduction of people’s exposure to the toxic chemicals present in our environment and that are associated with serious health problems such as cancer, neurodevelopmental or fertility problems. These chemicals include but are not limited to: endocrine disrupting chemicals, pesticides, or toxic chemicals found in consumer products such as food packages or cosmetics. We promote policies for a toxic-free environment, which include adequate protection of the most vulnerable population groups (e.g. pregnant women, new-borns and young children). As part of this effort, we organise and take part in targeted civil society campaigns (on specific substances or policy aspects) and use media and public outreach to spread our evidence and messages. Main responsibilities The intern will report to the policy officer on health and chemicals and work in close collaboration with HEAL’s communications team and member organisations as relevant. Activities will consist of a balanced mix between support to the policy work (research and writing) and communications and network outreach, which will

contribute to the daily delivery of the policy and campaign work on health and chemicals. Examples include:

Monitor relevant developments, practices, and research publications on HEAL’s priorities in this area

Carry out small research on relevant aspects as requested and compile findings in adequate formats (internal notes, briefings, letters, articles, blogs)

Participate in the crafting and delivery of creative communications products and activities and enhance social media (in close cooperation with the communications team)

Assist in supporting HEAL member organisations in their advocacy and outreach on health and chemicals as requested

Provide organisational support for potential public events and outreach activities of the programme

Take part in meetings, conferences, or events as relevant

Liaise with civil society partners as relevant

Candidate profile Essential requirements:

Committed to the values, vision and mission of HEAL

Interest in campaigning for environmental health and social change

Ability to carry out research on sometimes technical dossiers

Excellent writing skills (adaptability to different formats)

Relevant education (university degree in policy, health, environmental or social science)

Excellent written and spoken English

Working knowledge of standard office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Interest in working in a small multicultural environment and team-playing spirit Knowledge of another European language, understanding of civil society networks’ dynamics, and previous campaigning or social media communications experience are a plus.

Job ad – Internship – February 2018

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Conditions

Belgian contract of “professional immersion” with a monthly salary, coverage of monthly Brussels transportation costs

Full time position (5 days a week), based at HEAL’s Secretariat in Brussels

Six months contract In order to apply, please send your application pack to jobs@env-health.org with the subject line: Application internship health and chemicals no later than 19th January. It must include:

a CV

a cover letter, explaining your interest in joining HEAL and the contribution you believe you could make to the organisation

a short paragraph in response to the following question: Why do you think addressing exposure to chemicals from a health perspective is relevant? And which opportunities and challenges can you see in doing so?

Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that only short listed candidates will be contacted.