QCEA Director: application pack 2025

Deadline: 10AM CET, 26th of February 2025

WHO WE ARE

The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) brings a vision of peace, justice and equality to Europe and its institutions. We advocate for a new approach to security, focusing on nonviolent approaches to conflict. We promote policies that recognise the intrinsic equality of all people everywhere and reduce fear of the 'other'. In addition to our staff team in Brussels, QCEA is governed and supported by Quaker communities from across Europe.

As part of its strategy for 2023-2026 Quaker Council for European Affairs is focusing on three themes:

 Dialogues for transformation,

 Climate justice and peace,

 Migration and peace.

The Quaker peace testimony underpins all our work and our areas of work are connected, particularly with regards to their root causes in cultural and structural violence and economic and racial injustice. QCEA therefore prioritises working collaboratively as a team, actively seeking synergies both within our work and with the work of others.

QCEA believes that transformative change is needed if we are to address the challenges of our times. This is only possible if people across political, social and geographic divides can listen and understand each other and seek common ground. We build on our experience of quiet diplomacy and creating safe spaces for sensitive conversations to convene and facilitate dialogues on contentious and crucial issues between people with differing views and experiences, enabling them to deeply listen to each other and together consider ways forward. This work needs to be discreet and not tied to specific outcomes. It is long-term and risky but it is necessary and QCEA is one of the few organisations able to do this.

The development of a new strategic plan for 2026 onwards is underway. The new director will be ask to participate in this process in the summer and autumn.

Please read more about QCEA and recent initiatives and developments on www.qcea.org.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Director, Quaker Council for European Affairs

Location: Quaker House, Brussels

Reporting to: QCEA Executive Committee

Responsible for people: QCEA staff of up to 6 people

Resources: An annual budget currently between Euro 400K and 500K

The Director is part of a small team based at Quaker House, Brussels. The Director will, in collaboration with other team members and other actors within the organisation, implement the current strategic plan to effectively work for peace, justice and equality with European institutions. The director will manage a team which currently comprises of a Climate Justice & Peace Programme Coordinator, a Communications & Programme Officer, a part-time Migration & Peace Officer (till August 2025) and a part-time Office Manager.

Responsibilities:

1. Leadership

 Lead QCEA on the development and delivery of its strategic plan, working with the staff, volunteers, Executive Committee and General Assembly,

 Provide effective leadership, supervision and direction to staff, inspiring and supporting staff to deliver their best for QCEA,

 Promote the whole organisation to be inclusive and promote diversity and an anti-oppressive approach to our work,

 Be an effective ambassador for QCEA with a wide range of stakeholders including European Institutions, Quaker agencies worldwide, Quakers across Europe, donors, partner agencies and NGOs,

 Maintain a good knowledge of the Quaker network in Europe and beyond and be aware of emerging Quaker concerns, as they come through the General Assembly,

 Be alert to the external environment in which QCEA operates, so significant developments are clearly understood, risks assessed, and opportunities leveraged, to facilitate the delivery of the plan.

2. Programme Work and Representation

 Represent QCEA with European institutions, primarily the EU and the Council of Europe, and other relevant bodies,

 Build strong relationships with relevant officials, policymakers and civil society actors,

 Maintain a sufficient understanding of major issues, developments and opportunities in Europe and European institutions to be able to help staff, Executive Committee and General Assembly in developing QCEA’s priorities and opportunities for making positive change,

 Represent QCEA with appropriate NGOs and networking to facilitate joint advocacy opportunities,

 Lead on an area of programme work if needed.

3. Management

 Provide line management to the staff team,

 Build the staff team to ensure they work with each other and with partner organisations, in

order to deliver QCEA's work programmes effectively and efficiently,

 Manage at least two long-term volunteers who currently provide IT support,

 Implement appropriate performance management systems to support the achievement of QCEA’s goals, as well as the development of staff skills, knowledge and responsibilities,

 Manage Quaker House, being ultimately responsible for its continuing to function as a safe, welcoming space, promoting Quaker values, for all those who use it.

4. Communications and Outreach

 Engage with donors and Quaker support/fundraising groups,

 Communicate the work of QCEA to Quaker communities and in other forums,

 Ensure QCEA maintains and develops excellent relations with relevant European level advocacy networks and other Quaker bodies, networks, and agencies.

5. Good Governance and Operational Effectiveness

 Ensure compliance of all aspects of the organisation's activities with Belgian and EU law and regulations,

 Ensure QCEA’s values and policy commitments are reflected in QCEA programme work,

 Ensure QCEA has the right management systems, procedures, and structures to carry out its work effectively, accountably, and safely,

 Responsible for Health and Safety for safe running of the building and the entire operation of QCEA ensuring compliance with appropriate legislation,

 Support the organisation of meetings of the General Assembly and Executive Committee,

 Develop annual plans for the organisation’s activities together with team members,

 Monitor the success of QCEA’s campaigns and programmes against agreed outcomes,

 Play a leadership role in ensuring a safe environment for all staff and those who come into contact with the organisation.

6. Finance and Administration

 Provide strong financial management, working with the Office Manager and the Treasurer to generate budgets, prepare annual accounts and ensure adherence to financial policies,

 Report on budget execution and financial management issues,

 Ensure regulatory and legal compliance with all aspects of the organisation's activities,

 With the finance committee, review regularly the fundraising requirements of QCEA, and coordinate fundraising initiatives,

 Submit grant applications, secure timely funding, and report to donors in line with donor requirements,

 Work with the Office Manager, Communications staff, and IT volunteers to monitor and address issues of IT security and service quality.

7. Performance and Teamwork

All QCEA staff, with the guidance of their line manager, are responsible for:

 Setting their own objectives,

 Identifying personal and organisational learning opportunities,

 Ensuring continuity of their work by planning an adequate handover to any successor(s),

 Actively and respectfully participating in the resolution of any grievances according to QCEA procedures.

All QCEA staff should also:

 Contribute to team-building and positive professional relationships,

 Contribute to orderly paper and digital filing and good knowledge management,

 Be alert to issues relating to Quaker House (by creating a welcoming atmosphere, and bringing quality issues to the attention of the Office Manager).

8. Other duties:

 Undertake any other duties that are reasonable and are commensurate with the role as directed by the Executive Committee in line with the changing needs of the service and meet operational demands for the successful delivery of service for QCEA.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We have identified these criteria for this role. However, if you don't fit all the criteria and feel strongly that this job is the right match for you, we encourage you to apply. QCEA is an Equal Opportunity employer and we encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds.

1. Experience

 Demonstrable skills and experiences in leading a team in a multicultural and multilingual organisation, and ability to get the best out of people,

 Experience working to change policy (advocacy),

 Understanding of and sympathy with the value of Quakers, committed to working within Quaker structures and practices,

 Demonstrable commitment to the values of peace, non-violence, justice, and equality,

 Strong track record in delivering programme objectives,

 Relevant life and practical experience with international issues and development,

 Proven experience in financial and operational (non-profit) management.

2. Knowledge and Skills

 Sound knowledge and experience of at least one of the following policy areas: human rights, peace, eco/climate justice or a related field, and the commitment to increasing knowledge in all these areas,

 Good knowledge and understanding of European Institutions, how they work and how to influence them,

 Excellent spoken and written English; knowledge of French or Dutch desirable, while knowledge of other EU languages is an advantage,

 Excellent communication skills including being able to communicate complex policy issues to a variety of audiences, including government officials, Quakers and civil society organisations,

 Good relationship-building and collaboration skills, with a talent for connecting people and ideas,

 Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse range of people and organisations, including good knowledge of current discourses on diversity, race, gender, and privilege, as well as experience of and commitment to actively cultivating good practice regarding these issues in a team leadership role.

3. Personal Qualities

 Integrity and commitment to having an impact and creating change through your work,

 Ability to embrace difference, work professionally and engage respectfully with people with different views and lived experience,

 Ability to take a 'collective problem-solving' approach to challenges that might arise in the course of the work or within the team,

 Discretion and respect for confidentiality,

 Ability to work in a small team and within the financial constraints of a nongovernmental organisation,

 Willingness to work with due care for environmental sustainability, to take responsibility for a good administration, and to work cooperatively and flexibly to support the goals of the organisation.

TERMS AND SALARY

QCEA is located at Quaker House, Square Ambiorix, Brussels. This is a full-time contract. For this post QCEA is able to offer a salary of approximately 4750 euro gross per month. QCEA offers additional net benefits including meal vouchers and travel costs in some circumstances. Full-time QCEA staff receive 25 days holiday per year. Fulfilling work and a healthy work-life balance for staff and volunteers is at the centre of delivering QCEA’s vision of peace, justice and equality. Working hours are 9:00 to 18.00, but staff are encouraged to fit non-fixed working times around family and other commitments. For this position it will be possible to work up to two days per week from home. The director might rent a flat in Quaker House. We apply a net 3-months trial period (extended in case a work permit has to be obtained) . The appointment starts on the 1st of July 2025, availability in June for (paid) handover is favourable.

APPLICATION PROCESS

We invite candidates to submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and a letter of motivation (max. 1 page)

addressed to Martin Touwen (clerk of QCEA’s Executive Committee and search group) via

office@qcea.org by 10:00 hours CET on the 26th of February 2025. We encourage applicants to

cover all the points in the person specification in their CV and/or letter of motivation.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. Applications will be acknowledged on receipt.

2. Shortlisting will be completed by 5th of March 2025. If you have not heard from QCEA by then,you can assume that you have not been shortlisted.

3. First interviews will take place online on Wednesday the 12th of March.

4. Second interviews will take place in person in Brussels on Wednesday the 19th of March. The selected candidates will need to provide two references by that date.

5. All interviewed candidates are informed of the outcome of their interview and can request feedback.

N.B. Dates may need to be changed and we will do our best to be flexible so we can interview all shortlisted candidates.

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