CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

INTERNSHIP WITHIN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR YOUNG ROMA UNIVERSITY GRADUATES
IN COOPERATION WITH THE OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION 15TH JULY 2007

The European Commission in co-operation with the Open Society Institute is pleased to offer 5 five-month internships beginning 1st October 2007 for young Roma university graduates from all new member states (excluding Cyprus and Malta), Croatia, F.Y.R.O.M, Serbia, including Kosovo, and Montenegro.

These training periods involve work experience in one of the Commission’s departments.

The internship has the following main aims:
• To give Roma interns a general idea of the objectives and problems of European integration;
• To provide them with practical knowledge of the working of Commission departments;
• To enable them to acquire personal experience by means of the contacts made in the course of their everyday work;
• To enable them to further and put into practice the knowledge they have acquired during their studies or professional careers.

Profile of interns:
• Nationals from all new member states (excluding Cyprus and Malta), Croatia, F.Y.R.O.M, Serbia, including Kosovo, and Montenegro, who are of Roma origin;
• Applications from women are encouraged;
• The candidates must have completed a course of university education and obtained a full degree or its equivalent (for minimum national education qualifications required, see the Annex 1) by the closing date for applications. Applications are only accepted if they are accompanied by a photocopy of the candidate’s degree certificate (or, in the absence of this document, an official statement from the university confirming the degree result, see Annex 2 for list of university degrees sought by the EC services);
• Preference will be given to candidates with proven experience in civil society work;
• Working knowledge of at least English or French. Ability to draft reports in one of these languages. Other languages would be appreciated;
• Minimum computer literacy;
• The age limit for interns is minimum 25. However, the Selection Committee may, if there is a good reason, make exceptions to this age limit at the candidate’s request (in which case, a cover letter should be submitted with the application form). As the nature of the Commission’s in-service training programme is aimed at young graduates at the beginning of their career, this age limit should not be considered to be discriminatory;
• The internship scheme at the Commission is open to candidates who have not already benefited from in-service training in another European institution or body;

Time frame:

Five-month internship: Starting date: 1st October 2007

Note: Candidates should only apply if they seriously intend to take up the offer of an internship within the European Commission. Notification of withdrawal from the program after selection is unacceptable as it precludes others from availing of this opportunity and is a source of much inconvenience to both Open Society Institute and the European Commission.

Working conditions:
• Health and accident insurance is compulsory and must be obtained by the selected intern before the start of the internship. The OSI grant will include the costs of the health and accident insurance for 5 months;
• Relevant infrastructure (office space, computer etc.) will be provided by the European Commission;
• Each intern will be assigned a supervisor.

In-service scheme description:

Job description:
• Job description will be provided by the senior official (supervisor) to whom the intern will be assigned during the period of her/his in-service training. The supervisor will follow the intern work. It is expected that intern will participate in all the tasks of the team. The type of work will be equivalent to that of a junior executive-grade officials e.g. compiling information and documentation, organising working groups, forums, public hearings and meetings, preparing reports and replying to queries, participation in team meetings, filing, linguistic revision of texts, etc.
• The internship will give an opportunity to become acquainted/involved in the activities related to Romani issues within the respective DG.

Practical information:
• Trainees must hold upon their arrival proper permit/visa in relation to their country of origin as required by the Belgian authorities for 5 month tourist stay.
• Accommodation expenses are included in the Open Society Institute grant. The stagiaires must find the accommodation themselves, however OSI will assist the interns in finding suitable accommodation. The EC will provide them with basic information guidance in the beginning of the stage.

The internship grant:

Financial assistance for the internship is provided by the Open Society Institute. The 5 months internship grant covers:

• Travel expenses to and from Brussels/Luxembourg (using the cheapest available means of transportation), actual cost will be counted by the OSI up to a maximum of 600 Euro.
• Accommodation, subsistence and health and accident insurance: 6000 Euro (1200 Euro/month).

Note: The Commission is not involved in budget management or making the relevant payments in relation to this programme.

Application:

Please send your application (using the attached application form) by email or via fax by the 15th July 2007.

Brussels Internship Program
Roma Participation Program
Open Society Institute Budapest
Oktober 6 u.12
H-1051 Budapest Hungary
E-mail: rpp@osi.hu
Fax: +361 327-3841