The European Policy Centre (CEP) is a non-governmental, non-profit, independent think tank, established by a group of experts in the fields of EU Law, EU Affairs, Economics and Public Administration Reform. The overall aim is to support the enhancement of the policymaking environment in Serbia, by making it more open, inclusive, evidencebased, and essentially EU accession driven. As a prospective EU Member State, Serbia is in need of research centres which can offer specialised knowledge from different European Union policy areas and are able to present high quality public policy alternatives, grounded in comprehensive research endeavours. The most important features of CEP include the knowledge and experience of the legal harmonisation process and the workings of Serbian public administration, as well as commitment by its members to put their expertise at disposal of the intensified upcoming phase of Serbia’s EU accession.
About program
The Think Tank Young Professional Development Program intends to attract young professionals from the Western Balkan and post-Soviet region, who recently graduated from universities in the OECD countries with an MA or a PhD in the social sciences and humanities, and who wish to return to their region of origin. The program is financed by the Thnk Tank Fund for Wider Europe, a part of the Open Society Initiative for Europe (OSIFE). The program is designed to benefit both young returning professionals and their host organizations. It enables renowned regional think tanks to recruit highly qualified, talented, young professionals. At the same time, the Research Fellow will have the opportunity to gain invaluable, first-hand policy research and advocacy experience, as well as the chance to write and publish different types of research documents. In addition, the Research Fellow will be able to further develop their research, analytical and communication skills as a part of CEP’s team, under the guidance of experienced staff members. The length of the program is six months, dependent upon the chosen research topic, starting in November 2016. At the end of the program, both the Research Fellow and the host organization are expected to submit a final report regarding their activities during the fellowship
Eligibility
The applicants must fulfil all of the following criteria:
- They are a citizen or resident of one of the following states: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro.
- They acquired an MA, an LLM or a PhD.
- They are between 23 and 35 years of age at the time of the application.
- They possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Serbian and English.
- They have the ability to return to Serbia, reside in Belgrade and work in CEP during the whole predicted fellowship period (6 months).
Additional requirements:
- A demonstrated interest in one of the offered fields of research (see below), evidenced by prior academic or professional experience.
- Good knowledge of research methods used in social sciences.
- Excellent research, analytical and writing skills.
- Advance knowledge of Microsoft Office package (Word and Excel in particular).
Expected tasks and responsibilities
The chosen candidate will be offered the position of a full-time researcher at CEP for a period of six months, with the possibility of employment after the fellowship period ends. The Research Fellow will work in the offices of CEP, as an integral part of the think-tank’s team. During this period, they will develop their own research project, in addition to taking part in CEP’s current research activities. The working tasks will include: developing research methodology, conducting desk and field research, assisting the senior researchers in developing policy products, attending regular team meetings, data visualisation, participating in dissemination of the research, and other. Under the guidance of the designated mentor, the Research Fellow will have the opportunity to write and publish policy research papers:
- Policy study – a 50-70 page document that integrates and reports the findings of the previously performed desk and field research, in accordance with the highest methodological standards. A policy study also analyses the current state of public policy in the area of interest, and develops policy options and recommendations for the improvement and resolution of potential problems.
- Policy brief – summarizes the most important and striking findings of the research in an attractive four-pager format. Its aim is to reach the attention of the wider public, present them with specific policy problems and solutions, and incite them to read the entire policy study.
- “CEP Insight” – short analytical pieces on various topics within CEP's scope of work, that acts as a starting point for discussion regarding current developments and problems within a specific policy area.
How to apply
The first step in the application process is the submission of the candidate’s application to the European Policy Centre. The applicants should send their CV, a motivation letter (in which they should list the reasons for applying, their skills and qualifications, and the offered position that they are interested in), as well as two different writing samples (one in English, one in Serbian). The writing samples can be in any format (essays, articles, policy briefs, reports etc), and can be published and/or unpublished. It would be appreciated if they are related to the programme area that the candidate is interested in.
Once the applications have been received, CEP will conduct a selection process and organize interviews with selected candidates. Only one of the candidates will have the opportunity to submit an application to TTF together with CEP (3rd step of the application process).
Awards
The approximate amount of the monthly award will be $760 (gross).
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://cep.org.rs/en/work-with-us/jobs/906-call-for-applications-fellowship-at-the-european-policy-centre-young-professional-development-program.html