Human Resources Intern

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in Washington, D.C, in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with more than 30 offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia – with a diverse global team of more than 800 experts.

APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business.

About APCO in Brussels

Brussels is the heart of the European Union, a €14 trillion single market of over 500 million consumers. Decisions taken in Brussels, for example concerning legislation, international trade and competition, can directly shape global policy and regulation in every business sector. Brussels’ relevance to business, politics and society is only expected to grow. This makes it a natural hub for pan-European and international public affairs and communication programs.

The Role

We are looking for an HR Intern to join our European HR team in this newly created role which is to be based in our Brussels office. The role will provide HR administration and recruitment support across the team.

Our European HR team is responsible for offices in seven countries; the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Israel and Russia and consists of three HR business partners (HRBPs), one Senior HR Assistant, a Head of Global Talent Acquisition and our Talent Acquisition Specialist. The team is headed up by our Global Talent Senior Director.

The HR Intern will be reporting into the HRBP supporting Brussels and Paris. Our Brussels business currently comprises of 55 employees and our Paris office counts almost 30 employees.

Responsibilities

• Provide general HR administrative support to European offices
• Support Europe’s recruitment and external employer branding activities (e.g jobfairs)
• Create and maintain accurate employee records using our HR Information Systems (e.g. probationary period monitoring, updating salary and personal details, hires and terminations) and filing systems
• Support in the on-boarding process; drafting offer letters, employment contracts, and collecting and checking new employee documents
• Support learning and development initiatives
• Maintain on-boarding material: HR induction booklets, check lists, template emails etc
• Support with the centralization of European HR policies Draft HR materials including but not limited to; probation, salary increase, bonus and promotion letters
• Schedule HR specific meetings including inductions, onboarding sessions and exit interviews
• Assist with employee’s holiday balance tracking and accuracy of database
• Support in the off-boarding process
• Liaising with relevant benefits providers to register all staff as required and remove leavers, and respond to general benefit enquiries
• Assist with internal HR communication
• Assist with Europe wide HR projects development and/or harmonization
• Other general administrative tasks and projects as required

Qualifications/Experience

• University degree or equivalent work experience
• Strong Interest in HR
• Previous HR related experience is a plus
• Fluent written and spoken English and French is required and any other EU languages are beneficial
• Eligible to work in the EU

Core Competencies

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Outstanding communication, organisation and writing skills
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to prioritise
• Strong research skills
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Ability to deal with confidential matters and with discretion. People-focused.
• High level of efficiency and thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Professional approach to work
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

How do I apply?

As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we are introducing blind recruiting processes for all entry-level roles in Europe, meaning that all applications are anonymous at screening stage. While you will be asked to upload your CV/Resume to the job posting, we will be keeping these separate from our initial recruiting process and ask you to answer the below STAR-method style interview questions in writing to apply. We will be reviewing, and shortlisting candidates based on these answers, and not on CVs. CVs will be viewed only at first stage interview.

We advise you to write your answers in Word initially and to cut and paste them into our application form (which you can find by clicking apply to this posting).

• What is your approach to working on several projects in parallel? How do you address competing priorities or deadlines? (250 words maximum)
• Describe a time you were given a project and the assignment was completely new to you and something that you had never done before. How did you tackle it? (250 words maximum)
• What has your biggest achievement been to date? What results that you produced are you most proud of? (achievements can cover projects you undertook during your education, your personal time or your career). (250 words maximum)
• Please write “N/A” in the response box.

When is the closing date for applications?

The closing date for applications isMonday 16thAugust at 6pm, after which time we can sadly accept no more applications.