Saturday 5 November 2011

Two available Trainee Positions at the Berlin Civil Society Center - paid

The Berlin Civil Society Center helps global civil society organisations  (CSOs) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work. By bringing together the sector’s top leaders, facilitating communication and
enabling cooperation, the Center aims to achieve concrete results to be implemented in the work of CSOs.

Over the last five years the Center has established itself as the joint  platform of the world’s leading CSOs. Events like *Vision Works - the global Chairs and CEOs meeting* and *Global Perspectives*, a meeting of the most eminent CEOs, have become fixed dates in the calendars of key leaders

in the civil society sector. Organisations like Amnesty International, Caritas, CBM, ChildFund Alliance, Greenpeace, CARE, Oxfam, Plan International, Terre des Hommes, Transparency International and World
Vision are supporters and regular participants at the Center’s events.

The Center runs workshops and disseminates information and essential know-how. It offers advice and support on strategy, management and governance. As the Secretariat to the INGO Accountability Charter the

Center supports a key effort to improve the sector‘s accountability.

Based on a small team of dedicated and ambitious professionals, the Berlin Civil Society Center strives for excellence. For more information, please visit our website: www.berlin-civil-society-center.org


*The Center is currently offering two trainee positions:*

·        “Project Assistant” in the Events Management Team; and

·        “Personal Assistant to the Executive Director”.


This is a unique opportunity to take on an entry-level position in a fast-paced international environment, working closely with the leading CSOs worldwide. You will spend 12 months at the Center, and then 6 months at two of the co-owners of the Center (*to be confirmed*), thus having the opportunity to get an insight into three different organisations allworking on the international level within global civil society.

These traineeships are suitable for recent graduates who are keen to gain first-hand experience in the civil society sector.

*Key tasks of the trainee position “Project Assistant” in the Events

Management Team*

As the Project Assistant you will be working alongside the Project Manager to prepare, conduct and follow up on the Center’s workshops and conferences.

  - Support the daily work of the Project Manager, e.g. preparation and   follow up of meetings, telephone conferences etc.
  - Take on the logistical part of preparing workshops and conferences (venues, catering, restaurants, hotels, technical equipment etc.)
  - Develop and update the database of the Center’s contacts and partner  organisations (invitations, participation lists, invoice overviews, etc.)
  - Draft, monitor and update cost calculations and fundraising proposals,  and coordinate with the Finance & Administration Officer  - Process in- and outgoing correspondence, send outs to (potential)
  participants, translate and proof-read documents in German and English  - Preparation and layout of documents such as concept papers, agendas and evaluation questionnaires concerning the Center’s events, including the  reporting on workshops and conferences in the Center’s Quarterly and Annual
  Reports
  - Conduct internet research of specific organisations, networks,
  conferences etc.
  - Administer the Center’s website related to workshops and conferences, e.g. update the website’s content, cooperate with service providers to enhance the website etc.
  - Coordinate and supervise 1-2 interns
  - Fulfil other tasks as assigned by the Project Manager

*Key tasks of the trainee position “Personal Assistant to the Executive

Director”*

As the Personal Assistant to the Executive Director you will be part of the

Center’s key operations and develop an insight into all areas of the
Center’s work.
  - Support the daily work of the Executive Director, e.g. diary management, preparation of meetings and trips etc.
  - Coordinate with other members of staff to ensure smooth running of the Center
  - Prepare the Center’s Board and Shareholders Meetings
  - Administrate the Center’s website, e.g. update the website’s content, write texts, cooperate with service providers to enhance the website etc.
  - Develop and update the database of the Center’s contacts and partner organisations
  - Process in- and outgoing correspondence, translate and proof-read documents in German and English
  - Prepare and layout documents about the Center and its activities including the Center’s Quarterly and Annual Reports
  - Conduct internet research of specific organisations, networks, conferences etc.
  - Fulfill other tasks as assigned by the Executive Director

* *

*Requirements for both positions*

  - Strong interest in the governance, management and leadership of CSOs
  - Excellent organisational and coordination skills
  - Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
  - Diligent, reliable and focused way of operating with strong attention to detail
  - Strong communication skills
  - Fluent in English and German, additional languages an asset
  - Very good writing and editing skills
  - Excellent MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  - Team spirit
  - Experience in website administration (HTML, CSS, Wordpress) is an asset
  - For the trainee position “Project Assistant”:
o  Experience in event management and/or financial administration is a
strong asset
o  Experience in design programmes (Indesign, Photoshop) is an asset

*Learning objectives for both positions*

  - Understanding of the sector’s main challenges and of the means to address these
  - Understanding of key management and leadership skills
  - Clearer understanding of possible career paths and own preferences and potential
  - Insight into three different CSOs, all working on the international level within the global civil society
  - For the trainee position “Project Assistant”:

o  Ability to run the Center’s workshops and conferences

o  Ability to work efficiently in the Event Management Team

  - For the trainee position “Personal Assistant to the Executive
  Director”:

o  Ability to run a CEO’s office to excellent standards

o  Ability to support a CSO’s governing bodies


* *

*Schedule for the trainee position “Project Assistant” *

1st – 3rd month

Introduction & various projects as assigned by the Project Manager

4th month

Take over role from predecessor

5th  – 11th month

Work as Project Assistant at the Center

12th month

Hand-over Project Assistant role to successor

13th – 15th month

Trainee in one of the leading CSOs (to be confirmed)

16th – 18th month

Trainee in another leading CSO (to be confirmed)

* *


*Schedule for **the trainee position “Personal Assistant to the Executive
  Director”*

1st month

Introduction and hand-over of role

2nd – 11th month

Work as Personal Assistant at the Center

12th month

Hand-over Personal Assistant role to successor

13th – 15th month

Trainee in one of the leading CSOs (to be confirmed)

16th – 18th month

Trainee in another leading CSO (to be confirmed)


* *

*Conditions for both positions*

Duration:                    18 months (12 months at the Center and
potentially 6 months in two other CSOs)
Working hours:          40 hours/week

Holidays:                    26 days p.a.

Compensation:          800 € per month before tax

Location:*                    *Berlin, Germany

Starting date:              2 January 2012


*Application for both positions*

Your application should:

  -  consist of a CV and a covering letter - you should indicate in your letter which trainee position you are interested in;
  -  be in English; and
  -  be sent by email to Helene Wolf
  helene.wolf@berlin-civil-society-center.org by *13 November 2011*.

Interviews will take place on 17 and 18 November in Berlin.

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