Job Alert – How to boost your Career in Public Affairs

Let’s face it, Public Affairs professionals are not created equal. Some of them face disadvantages – in particular: juniors, women, senior professionals. Not necessarily intentional, but as a result of prejudice, good networks, hiring by referrals, and a lack of knowledge about where the jobs are, how high (or low) salaries really are, who you need to know, and most importantly, how you need to sell yourself.

Do you belong to one of these “precarious” groups? No reason to despair, your successful Public Affairs career is out there. Some tips how to win against the odds:

• Mentoring: let successful people help you – mentors can give you advice, recommend you to others, and teach you based on their experience.
• Visibility: network, network, network! Especially women tend to put their jobs first. Yes, you need to know your business and do it, but networking IS your job, you get paid for being visible to your bosses and those you want to hire you – and far less for the actual results of your work.
• Allies: especially in satellite Public Affairs offices far from the Headquarter, getting visibility is difficult, and mentors will not suffice. Seek to build up a support network of people who make sure you get the important news and can participate in the important events.
• Self-reflection: some disadvantages are self-made. Reflect your reactions critically, get second opinions – and if you’ve made a mistake, apologise if necessary, reflect why you have made that mistake – and then go on, and don’t do it again.

Do you want to know more? And want to practice selling yourself better and to the right persons? Sign up to IMConsult’s newsletter for invitations to its High-Intensity Leadership Workouts. Focus: career and leadership tools for Public Affairs professionals. The first round will be on 25 April 2016 for women in Public Affairs (attention: early-bird fee ends on 25 March!) Sign up at www.leadershipworkouts.eu!

And as usual, find attached some jobs and more on politjobs.eu!

Happy Easter!

Irina Michalowitz – im@politapps.eu

And as usual, find attached some jobs and more on politjobs.eu!

U.S. Mission to the EU seeks Political Specialist
Duties: Covers selected high-level EU meetings, including meetings of the European Council, Council (ministerial) and other events in Brussels, Luxembourg, and occasionally, other EU cities, observing and reporting on decisions and policy-making proceedings first-hand. On a daily basis, monitors and reports on announcements by top-level EU leaders, the EU Commission and the EU Council Secretariat. Reviews official websites, press reports, academic journals, periodicals, and social media. Writes regular and special analytical and factual reports on the full spectrum of matters addressed in the European Council, EU Council and Commission. These reports require independent contact work, research and analytical ability to forecast future developments, including impact of Treaty changes and senior-level appointments to EU bodies. Develops and maintains contact with mid- and high-level EU Commission and Council officials, member state representation officials, third-country diplomats, think-tanks, academicians, and the international press corps involved in the formulation or monitoring of EU positions and developments in foreign policy and other areas. […]

British Bilateral Embassy seeks Political & Communications Officer
Main Duties/Responsibilities: Monitor the French and Dutch language Belgian media (early start required) and contribute to the Embassy’s broader reporting on Belgian political developments, key decision-makers and groups; Manage the content of the Embassy’s website. Timely communication on the work of the Embassy and the UK Government via social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Actively and innovatively engaging with online communities as the digital voice of the UK in Belgium; Assist in the organisation of public diplomacy events and high level visits to promote UK interests in Belgium, e.g. the Centenary Commemorations of the First World War; Talent-spotting and building relationships with those who are the rising stars in Belgian politics; Liaise regularly with the media […]

Euroheat & Power seeks Policy Officer
Duties: Report to the Head of Policy & European Affairs; European Affairs: Outreach & advocacy to key EU stakeholders, Manage relationships with allied stakeholders, Monitor Environment & Energy regulatory & legislative matters; Leading Task Forces’ & internal Working Groups’ meetings: Cooperation with members in defining & implementing advocacy initiatives, Maintain administrative records including statistics, Management of the Certification Board; Projects & Publications: Country survey (biennial), DH Barometer, Produce briefing material for internal & external dissemination, Draft Policy papers from A – Z, Contribution to monthly newsletter […]

Platforma seeks Guide on funding opportunities for local and regional governments
Duties: Provide comprehensive information on existing programmes that support projects with LRGs in partner countries; Provide clear and concise information on application processes; Give tips on developing project proposals and drafting successful applications; In addition it could include information on what happens after funding has been granted. Although this is not the essence of this project, the elaboration process of the publication will also contribute to exchange and interaction with services of the European Commission, European Union delegations, and other relevant institutions. This will hopefully lead to raising their awareness of the work of local and regional governments for sustainable development, poverty eradication and decentralised cooperation. […]

WWF Belgium seeks Policy & Business Director (M/F)
Duties: You’ll be accountable for: developing the strategic approach to achieve WWF’s goals in policy & business; implementing the strategic approach through the development and execution of annual operational plans; managing the performance and development of your people and team; feeling motivated by the challenge and opportunity of managing people, and holding them accountable for delivery; prioritizing, adapting and making decisions as necessary in a fast-moving context; being able to function as an organizational leader owning responsibility for organization-wide goals, as well as focusing on the specific priorities of your own role; developing public policy positions & corporate partnerships in collaboration with the members of the team; representing WWF in meetings with government officials, companies, roundtables, etc; building a network and setting up collaborations with other organizations to advance the policy & business goals; the know-how to influence and persuade policy makers and business leaders. […]

Eurometaux seeks Energy & Climate Change Manager
Responsibilities: Organise and manage the Eurometaux’s Energy & Climate Change Committee; Monitor developments in energy and climate change legislation and policies relevant to the industry (Emissions Trading System, Energy Union, Electricity Markets etc.); Analyse such developments & draft position papers or other materials, through member coordination; Develop and execute advocacy campaigns on main priorities in close coordination with the members; Coordinate positions and advocacy with national and other European industry associations; Represent the association towards EU institutions (Commission, Council, Parliament); Support individual metals sectors and companies on specific cases if required; Act externally on issues of relevance to the European non-ferrous metals sector. […]

SolarPower Europe seeks Policy Adviser
Duties: Be in charge of defining SolarPower Europes policy asks in this area(s), in close consultation with our members and our team; Conduct research and produce evidence based positions, to support our policy asks; Define and implement the advocacy strategy to promote our positions by interacting with EU-decision makers and potential allies; Create, maintain and extend over time a strong network of contacts in Brussels; Prepare briefing notes, presentations and relevant materials in relation with this policy area for the Strategy Committee, the management team and for press requests; Ensure external representation of our positions by attending and speaking at workshops and conferences; Contribute to the content of SolarPower Europes communication tools (policy updates, SOLARIS newsletter, social media and website); Identify key trends in the policy and research arenas that can be used to drive recruitment and retention of members; Be the focal point for our members on this policy area(s); In addition, the Policy Adviser will also be in charge of an EU-funded project in relation with our annual work programme, with a particular focus on the delivery of results and outputs in a timely manner. […]

Deutsche Bahn sucht Praktikant/in
Aufgaben: Monitoring und regelmäßiger Newsfeed; Teilnahme an Ausschusssitzungen, Konferenzen und Workshops sowie Vor- und Nachbereitung von Gesprächen und Veranstaltungen; Unterstützung des Geschäftsstellenbereiches EU-Konzernrepräsentanz bei Recherchen, Konzeption; Organisation und Koordination bzgl. EU-Angelegenheiten. […]