Junior Policy Advisor

**ARQ International** is looking for a **_Junior Policy Advisor_** for 32-36 hours per week

ARQ International is the international hub of ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, based in the Netherlands. ARQ is the world’s largest expert centre focused on the psychological effects of crises and conflicts. ARQ International works to strengthen the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) of people affected by war, conflicts and disasters in low
- and middle-income countries.

**What we do**:

- ** Capacity Strengthening**: We develop expertise and train skills on MHPSS together with professionals and nonprofessionals who support people affected by conflict and disaster. Our training trajectories are tailor-made and needs-based and can include staff care.
- ** Research & Development**: We conduct research to develop and adapt mental health and psychosocial interventions, in close collaboration with international non-governmental organisations, research institutions and implementing organisations worldwide.
- ** Knowledge sharing and awareness raising**: Throughout our work, we raise awareness about the importance of mental health and psychosocial well-being for individuals, communities and societies. Our peer-reviewed journal, Intervention, provides a platform where both researchers and field practitioners can share their knowledge and experience on MHPSS in conflict and disaster-affected areas. We aim to bridge the gap between research and practice.

**Tasks /responsibilities**:

- In this function, you contribute to improving mental health and psychosocial support in conflict or emergency-affected areas via our local partners. You contribute to supporting and advising (non-)professionals in the MHPSS field, a dynamic field with crosslinks to public health, humanitarian aid and research. As a junior policy adviser, you like making connections between these different domains and stakeholders, and you work on providing state-of-the-art knowledge and answers to practitioners. You will work closely with our team based in the Netherlands, remote colleagues and our various stakeholders worldwide. You will receive guidance and support in your responsibilities from our team and senior members.

**You will**:

- Support in coordination and organisation of project activities with internal and external stakeholders, including logístical and strategic support;
- Support the reporting and communication of project outcomes internally and to funders;
- Support project monitoring and evaluation (M&E), including through the design and administration of surveys and collection and management of project data;
- Contribute to (scientific) research innovation and knowledge-sharing by supporting the editoral team of Intervention: Journal of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Conflict Affected Areas as editorial assistant. This includes guiding authors through the editorial process, allocating reviewers, supporting dissemination through presentations, organizing knowledge sharing and contributing actively to our professional networks;
- (Prepare) advice to professionals, practitioners, policymakers, organizations and/or governments;
- (Co) develop practical tools, interventions, and methodologies for the MHPSS field;
- Identifying funding opportunities and (contributing to) the acquisition of MHPSS projects;
- Keeping up to date with relevant national and international networks;
- Contributing to ongoing activities such as publications, keeping the website up to date, organizing networking meetings, etcetera.

**Requirements/competencies**:

- An academic degree (masters) in a relevant field, such as psychology/ anthropology/ international development;
- Relevant work experience in development/humanitarian aid, preferably in Mental Health and/or Psychosocial Support or a closely related field (protection, health);
- Experience in project management, including coordination and reporting to (multiple) donors according to different donor requirements;
- Excellent writing skills are required, and a - proven track record in proposal development is an asset;
- Research experience is a plus and affinity with supporting knowledge dissemination is a must;
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and a strong entrepreneurial spirit;
- Experience in PMEL (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning) is a plus;
- Strong networking, teamwork and communications skills.
- Full professional proficiency in English and preferably Dutch and/or one other language (French, Arabic, Spanish);
- Eligible to work in the Netherlands with a valid work permit.

**Conditions**:

- This position is based in the Netherlands, with the opportunity to partially work from home.
- You will receive an employment contract for one year with he prospect of permanent employment thereafter;
- Based on 36 hours, you will receive a salary between €3.076;
- and €4.785;
- gross per month (in accordance with FWG 55 of the Collective Labor Agreement for Mental Hea