Job Description

EU Advocacy and Policy Advisor

Unit: Research, Development, Innovation & Advocacy (FSC) - EU Representation office

Location: Brussels (Belgium)

Duration: Full-time, limited to 1 year (with possibility of extension)

About us

SOS Children's Villages, founded in 1949, is the world's largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it.

Child neglect, abuse and abandonment is everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. Locally led, we work in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child or young person's best interests, we provide quality care according to their unique needs.

Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people and families, we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We speak up for each child's rights and advocate for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment.

Mission

The Research, Development, Innovation & Advocacy area enhances the federation’s external engagement at the global level to influence international systems and policies through evidence, innovation and communications. It connects research, advocacy and strategic messaging to position SOS Children’s Villages International as a credible and values-driven actor promoting care and a life with dignity and justice for every child.

SOS CV EU Representation office leads and coordinates SOS Children’s Villages’ advocacy towards the European Union institutions and other key stakeholders in Brussels. It works to ensure that EU policies, legislation, funding frameworks and external action effectively protect and promote the rights of children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it.

The office maintains strong partnerships with civil society organizations, coalitions and EU decision-makers and supports SOS Children’s Villages Member Associations across Europe to engage strategically in EU advocacy processes.

The EU Policy and Advocacy Adviser will advance SOS CV priorities towards the European Union and ensure that children and young people are prioritized in the EU internal and external policy-making, practice and funding models. He/She will ensure a dynamic and productive coordination with peer organisations in Brussels, coordinating the work of SOS CV also in several coalitions, building a solid professional network to influence relevant EU debates, policies, legislations and practices.

The role directly supports all tasks related to the implementation of advocacy and external representation towards the EU This includes supporting the development of messaging, facilitating representation of SOS CV Member Associations, engagement in advocacy activities, knowledge sharing and learning events with EU based actors, processes and platforms; convene advocacy and learning events with key stakeholders that centers the needs of our target group.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Monitor EU internal and external policy-making in the area of children’s rights, social policies, humanitarian action and development in order to advance the rights of children without or at risk of losing parental care”;
• Identify, analyse and respond to EU policy-developments on relevant areas and engage with the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and EU Member States to advance SOS CV asks and recommendations;
• Position SOS CV as leading global organisation promoting and protecting the rights of children without or at risk of losing parental care;
• Liaise on a regular basis with relevant SOS CV advocacy colleagues in SOS CV Member Associations to identify and engage on common EU advocacy priorities, objectives and actions;
• Coordinate with and support SOS CV Member Associations to implement and monitor joint annual EU Advocacy workplans;
• Build a solid professional network, maintaining relations with existing partners and coalitions and establishing new ones, to join forces on common priorities and increase our advocacy impact;
• Enhance child and youthparticipation in EU policy-making and in relevant events and meetings to ensure their voices are heard and their recommendations taken into account;
• Develop communication and social engagement strategy in relation to SOS CV key advocacy messages in coordination with SOS CV communication department;
• Plan and coordinate advocacy events, roundtables, policy briefings and stakeholder meetings in Brussels
• Liaise and support SOS International Partnership Development department to develop funding proposals.

Responsibilities to Uphold Safeguarding (standards) and Promote a Safe Environment

As someone working for or on behalf of SOS Children’s Villages, you are responsible for helping to create and maintain a safe and protective environment for staff, as well as for the children, young people, and adult programme participants supported and cared for by SOS Children’s Villages. You are expected to:

• Commit to the Code of Conduct and reflect on the safeguarding implications of your work on an ongoing basis.
• Actively participate in team discussions to identify risks and share and apply preventative and mitigation measures and strategies.
• Integrate safeguarding principles into your daily decisions and tasks.
• Report any safeguarding concerns promptly and in line with procedures.
• Promote values-based culture, accountability and zero tolerance of harm.

Requirements

Essential:

• Commitment to SOS CV vision, mission and values
• Academic background or professional experience in the social, international development and/or human rights sector;
• At least 5 years of professional experience in international advocacy work, including at the EU level, with proven track record of successes;
• Strong analytical and strategic skills, with proven ability to identify advocacy opportunities, analyse complex political and policy trends/issues, and to develop powerful advocacy strategies that achieve change;
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the EU institutions, and their role in child rights and youth empowerment issues;
• Experience of creating networks of influence, and an ability to manage diverse professional relationships, thereby securing significant new opportunities for the organisation;
• Proven ability to speak and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to different audiences;
• Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in;
• Proven ability to plan and deliver high-quality advocacy events, policy briefings and stakeholder meetings.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and foster constructive dialogue.
• A commitment to and an understanding of NGO work on a European level
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Ability to work in a small team and under pressure to tight deadlines
• A valid working permit or eligibility to work within the EU

Desirable:

• Expertise in EU projects and meaningful child and youth participation will be strong assets;
• Knowledge of humanitarian debates and policies will be a plus;
• Other EU languages

Ways of working:

• Global collaboration and communication – Working effectively across countries, cultures, and time zones by maintaining clear communication, transparency, and shared understanding within distributed teams.
• Cross-functional collaboration – Working closely with colleagues across different functions and areas of expertise to combine knowledge, solve problems collectively, and deliver meaningful outcomes aligned with the organisation’s mission.
• Effective collaboration within matrix structures – Working constructively within solid and dotted reporting lines by maintaining open communication, aligning priorities with both line and functional managers, and ensuring clarity on roles, responsibilities, and expectations to support coordinated delivery across teams.
• Flexibility and adaptability – Remaining responsive to evolving contexts and adjusting priorities, approaches, and ways of collaboration as projects, services, or organisational demand evolve.
• Ownership and accountability – Taking responsibility for advancing tasks and initiatives, proactively addressing obstacles, and ensuring that commitments, decisions, and actions are carried through to completion, taking initiative within your scope of responsibility rather than waiting for direction.
• Strengthening member associations and their autonomy – Ensuring that knowledge, tools, and lessons from projects and services are shared with member associations so they can learn from the work carried out and progressively strengthen their capacity and independence.
• Continuous feedback and transparency - Contributing to a culture where feedback and data are shared openly and constructively, enabling teams and stakeholders involved to reflect, learn, and continuously improve their work and impact.

What We Stand for

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organization, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action.

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for our staff, the children and young people and the communities that we work for. The organization prohibits harassment, exploitation and abuses by or of any employee, supervisor, manager, child, young people, community, contractor, applicant, or other individual with whom SOS Children’s Villages employees come into contact by virtue of their work. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our prevention and protection against Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse policy.

In addition, SOS Children’s Villages apply a zero-tolerance concerning any fraud situation. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Successful candidates will have to submit a criminal record certificate, current within the last three years. In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, these positions will be subject to criminal record checks.

We offer

• A diverse range of interesting tasks in a leading INGO multicultural working environment
• As a responsible employer we provide a range of training schemes and encourage educational enhancement
• A salary that will be commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Flexible working hours
• Home-office possibility
• Extra-legal benefits according to Belgian regulations

How to apply?

If you are interested in this position, please send your detailed application in English through ICISMs here: https://careers-sos-kd.icims.com/ until 5 June 2026.

Please note that applications will be reviewed and suitable candidates will be contacted for interviews on an ongoing basis. The position will remain open until filled. Due to the high level of applications, SOS Children Villages can only respond to shortlisted candidates.