Duration and Location
Placements involve approximately 40 hours of work per week and last for an ideal period of six months, although shorter or longer durations may be exceptionally accepted. Starting dates are preferably in March, June, September and December. Work will be undertaken primarily within NPWJ’s main office in Brussels and there may be opportunities for work-related travel. Past interns have assisted in missions abroad, including to: Iraq, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, and Uganda.
Qualifications
The Internship Program is open to professionals, recent graduates and graduate students in relevant disciplines, but in exceptional cases NPWJ will also consider final-year undergraduate students. Participants must be fluent in spoken and written English, which is the operating language of our Belgian office. Fluency in Arabic, Italian or French is an asset. Legal expertise is encouraged but is by no means mandatory – however participants must demonstrate strong interest in the protection and promotion of human rights.
Training
NPWJ will assign work to participants in all three of NPWJ’s core thematic areas, taking into account individuals’ interests. Work will largely consist of substantive tasks, including but not limited to: drafting and publishing of press releases; grant-writing; maintaining external contacts; research and drafting of concept or position papers in relation to various NPWJ policy initiatives; planning of conferences and in-country activities; translating documents from or to English/French/Italian; and website and newsletter publications and support. Participants will be involved in all aspects of the work of NPWJ, and will be included in staff meetings and functions. NPWJ will provide full support and supervision by a senior staff member. In addition to the experience gained by working side-by-side with NPWJ staff, participants will benefit from attending the “NPWJ Brown-Bag Series”, consisting of monthly lectures and seminars by prominent speakers and experts in a subject within the sphere of NPWJ’s activities. NPWJ also encourages enrollment in French and/or Flemish language courses and will provide flexible working hours in order to accommodate such learning. Finally, interns who express interest will occasionally have the opportunity to attend conferences and meetings hosted by the European Union, European Parliament and other local institutions. NPWJ is supportive of and will accommodate intern attendance at such educational gatherings. For students able to obtain university credit towards their degrees for their work as interns, NPWJ will provide written assessments of their undertakings at the conclusion of the Program, together with any other documents required by their respective universities. All participants will also be expected to prepare detailed reports on the work they have undertaken as interns at NPWJ, including structured assessments of NPWJ’s Internship Placement Program.
Funding
As internship placements are unpaid, interns will be required to find external sponsors to fund their stays in Brussels. Possible sources of funding may include university grants or, for European candidates only, the Lifelong Learning Program’s Erasmus Placement Program and Leonardo Program. A declaration of sponsorship for an external source is normally required, but exceptionally, a statement of self-sponsorship may also be sufficient. NPWJ will not provide travel or living expenses unless travel is undertaken for specific missions for and on behalf of NPWJ.
Visas
Visa applications are the sole responsibility of the intern, although NPWJ is willing to provide documentation or support as required. EEA, EU and Swiss nationals do not need visas or work permits to enter Belgium, however a long stay visa will be required for citizens of all other countries. Australia, Canada and New Zealand also have Working Holiday Arrangements with Belgium, and past interns from these countries have benefited from these arrangements for their internships. Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders must file their applications for Working Holiday Visas to the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in their respective countries.
Applications
If you are interested in collaborating with us, fill in the form below enclosing a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae and writing sample in English, such as an essay or publication on a topic which relates to the work of NPWJ. The preferred starting period should be clearly stated. If applicants do not receive a reply within a month, they can contact us through our contact form.
