Notice of vacancy at TGEU
Policy Officer, Resilience & Asylum
TGEU is looking for a 100% (40h/week) Policy Officer* starting in October 2021 for an initial period of 24 months. This position is located in Berlin, Germany.
Given the current COVID-19 situation, the position may start remotely with relocation to Berlin in late 2021 or when conditions allow. Due to COVID relocation challenges and funding restrictions, preference will be given to applicants who are already eligible to work in the EU/Germany.
* In exceptional circumstances, candidates may be considered for a Senior Policy Officer position. Part-time applications may be considered for either the resilience or the asylum portfolio. Please note this is position is grant-funded; initial and continued employment is contingent on funding.
Closing date
Applications sent by e-mail to jobs@tgeu.org by 24 August 2021, 19:00 Central European Summer Time, will be considered.
Background
TGEU is a member-based organisation working primarily in Europe and Central Asia for the rights and lives of trans people. TGEU’s mission is to strengthen the rights and wellbeing of trans people in Europe and Central Asia, and represents 166 member organisations in 47 countries. We are seeking applicants who are committed to a world free from discrimination where gender diversity is celebrated, where trans people are valued, and where trans movements are self-aware, intersectional, and evolving to meet the needs of a diverse and resilient community.
Job description
Trans people across Europe and Central Asia remain at an increased risk of violence, discrimination, criminalising practices, and detention. In particular, trans sex workers, migrants, refugees, unemployed, homeless, and other marginalised groups have to fight a continuous mix of systematic and individual oppression. TGEU commits to centre their voices and experiences when working to advance the rights of trans people and fight against violence and discrimination.
The Policy Officer will be working in the Policy Team, in close collaboration with the Community Building and the Communications Team, and report to the Advocacy Director. They will be responsible to develop and implement TGEU’s policy and advocacy work in two areas: RESILIENCE (50%) and ASYLUM (50%).
Resilience portfolio (20 hours/week)
- Develop and implement strategies addressing anti-trans messaging and organising by state and non-state actors
- Research & stakeholder mapping
- Network, build and coordinate a coalition of allies to challenge “anti-gender” narratives and policies
- Develop and disseminate messaging and communication frames
- Develop and implement series of trainings for a diverse range of actors
- Take over other tasks as required
Asylum portfolio (20 hours/week)
- Work with relevant stakeholders, including EU institutions and EU member states, on the reform of the European asylum system
- Develop and implement trainings for diverse actors, such as national migration authorities and LGBTI organisations
- Co-create, together with a local partner, and implement a leadership and movement building training for trans and gender-diverse refugees
- Provide capacity building to a local partner organisation on organisational development and work with trans refugees
Who we are looking for
For this position, we are looking for an advocate with strong competency and interest in trans issues. We are looking for someone who applies a (self-)critical approach to their work, includes intersectional perspectives, and accumulates a set of experiences and skills:
Experience
- At least four years of experience working in policy, advocacy, or European institutions (particularly the EU and the Common European Asylum System)
- At least two years of experience with capacity building, skills-building, and providing of trainings
- At least two years of experience working in a national, regional, or international organisations
- Work or volunteer experience in trans, LGBTI, refugee, and/or human rights organisations
Skills
- Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written) with strong writing skills
- Ability to analyse and contribute to European-level policy and legislative processes
- Ability to support complex working processes
- Understand and embrace intersectionality in their work
- Highly comfortable with working with policy makers, partners, and external stakeholders
- Comfortable speaking in public to a diverse set of audiences – from local trans advocates to EU policymakers
- High sense of initiative, and able to manage stressful situations
- Ability to manage a high workload and prioritise tasks as needed
- Sound ability to work individually and within diverse teams
- Indisputable work ethics
- Reporting skills for funding and external communications
- Commitment to TGEU values and policies
Preferred
- Ability to take responsibility for planning how and when to carry out the tasks required to complete this project, and when to ask for input from others
- Good knowledge of another European language or Russian
- Knowledge of the European human rights framework
- Understand power dynamics and issues experienced by marginalised groups
- Experience preparing written and oral interventions for policymakers
- Organising experience in trans, LGBTQI, or other social movements
What we offer
- A 100% (40 hours per week) position for an initial period of 24 months
- The possibility to work for the European and Central Asian trans movement – and truly make a difference
- A dedicated team that will allow you to implement your ideas
- Full healthcare plan
- Gross salary of 43,857 € per year
- Up to 1500 € of relocation support to Berlin, Germany, if needed
- A pet-friendly office space
- Access arrangements depending on the needs of the employee, including remote working and flexible hours
- German classes (if desired)
- Counselling/coaching sessions as needed
Due to COVID relocation challenges and funding restrictions, preference will be given to applicants who are already eligible to work in the EU/Germany. However, all candidates will be considered. For those who may need a work permit, a university diploma will be required due to German immigration practices.
Accessibility of TGEU’s office
TGEU’s offices are partially accessible for wheelchair users: there is a steep ramp from the street down to the elevator; once inside, all the rooms are situated on one level and the office doors and corridors are very wide; the toilets are on the same level but the doors are too narrow to allow access when using a wheelchair.
Application procedure
For applications and questions, please contact jobs@tgeu.org with POLICY OFFICER – RESILIENCE and/or ASYLUM in the subject line. Anonymised CVs are welcome, but please do not send degrees or diplomas. Only complete application packs will be considered. Approaching TGEU team members directly might lead to automatic rejection of the application.
Timeline
23 July 2021
24 August 2021
1-3 September 2021
9 September 2021
15 September 2021
1 October 2021
Launch of the call
Deadline for receiving applications
First round interviews
Second round interviews
Decision
Start of position
TGEU is an equal opportunities employer striving to avoid discrimination and increase representation and expertise from underrepresented groups on the team. Therefore, TGEU encourages trans and/or queer; black people and people of colour; D/deaf and disabled people; people with a migration background; sex workers; trans women and gender-non-conforming people; people from Eastern Europe and Central Asia; people living with HIV, to apply and mention their backgrounds and experiences in their application. We guarantee that all information will be held confidentially.
Please send your application before 24 August 2021 19:00, Central European Summer Time.