Junior Associate (Internship) – Public Affairs, Healthcare

Job content

What’s Happening?

Weber Shandwick’s Brussels office includes a highly respected corporate health/health policy & public affairs division; a major driving force in EU & Global healthcare public affairs. Our specialist team has gained an extremely impressive client roster which includes leading pharmaceutical organisations, well-known charities, NGOs and medical associations.

We’re looking for an energetic professional to join our Healthcare team in Brussels.

As a key member of the health policy team, the trainee will provide support to the team depending on the business needs as well as the candidate’s academic background, professional experience and soft skills. The intern will be fully involved in the work being conducted by the team and will work on several client accounts and different types of projects, which could range from advocacy activities to awareness-raising initiatives.

As the team is part of the wider Public Affairs team, you might also be asked to work on other policy areas – but don’t worry, none of it is boring.

You need to know your way around an abacus, be organised and sometimes you’ll have to work outside the 9-to-5 to get stuff done - but these clients are so worth it!

You will be supported by the A-Team (not literally), have access to all the spoils of a big, global, award-winning agency and the freedom to make your mark in this role and in your career.

The Role and Responsibilities

• To monitor relevant European health policy issues in key media outlets;
• To monitor policy developments of the EU Institutions and International Organisations as well as policy initiatives being conducted by third parties such as patient groups, industry stakeholders and other relevant NGOs;
• To draft briefing notes on EU policy developments;
• To assist with specific ad hoc client requests that involve research and reporting;
• To support in the organisation of events concerning logistics;
• To support the team in the preparation of outreach contact programs;
• To attend key policy events and report on relevant developments to the team;
• To ensure maintenance of internal materials such as the events database, MEPs list, contacts lists, etc.;
• To draft different types of resources/assets, ranging from briefing documents to client memos to meeting notes.

What We’re Looking For

Ideally, you are a positive energy within a team – you like a funky collegial and collaborative environment, you’re not afraid of saying what you think and you’re super fun – even if you say modestly so yourself.

Ideally, you’ll also bring

• Fluency in English and another European language;
• Strong organisational and time management skills;
• A collaborative approach, teamwork and a good sense of humour;
• Flexible and positive approach to tasks, always willing to learn;
• Accuracy and attention to detail; interest and diligence in research work;
• Good understanding of EU procedures and some knowledge of health-related policies at EU level;
• Working experience (traineeship) in one of the EU institutions (optional);
• A university degree, preferably in an area such as law, political science, European affairs, communications or healthcare (Optional) ;

The Perks & Benefits

• A comprehensive traineeship teaching you the A-Z of being a high-performing consultant
• Flexible working
• Lunch on us at every staff meeting
• Early Friday finish
• A kick-ass office, with park-view, 5-minutes walk from Brussel-Schuman complete with a Garden terrace area which host our Brussels-famous BBQ events

This six-month paid internship will take place in Brussels.

You’ll be embedded in client teams from week 1 and you’ll be quickly equipped with an overview of the consultancy work and European public affairs.

About the internship

The internship framework is a professional immersion (Convention Immersion Professionelle, if you’ll excuse our French) – this means you will be developed in a structured traineeship programme and equipped with all the skills to become a consultant – literally groomed for success.

We pride ourselves on putting personalized development plans in place which allow us to develop our talented interns to become the consultants we seek to hire.

After the internship

As one of our interns, you’ll be the first considered for any entry level openings. Over the last two years, one in two of our interns has been promoted to entry level jobs and many of our top managers started as interns.

We won’t beat around the bush though; we can never guarantee an indeterminate contract at the end of the internship - there are just too many variables involved for it to be predictable. However, whether we can hire you or not, you’ll have an amazing internship experience from one of the best-known top-tier global communications consultancy - And that’ll make your CV look even sexier. We also commit to doing our best to helping you find your next role - we have a strong network across our network agencies, partners and clients, and we make a living out of people trusting our advice.

How to apply

Apply via LinkedIn with your CV – covering letters are not an obligation but they do demonstrate motivation and commitment; so your application will not be held back if you don’t provide a cover letter but we do read them if you include them.

The deadline for applications is February 2022.We will collect applications until the 31st of January.Please make sure you apply before then. Applications sent after that date will unfortunately not be considered.

Note from Bill, in the Talent Team

Hi there,

I just wanted to let you know that Weber Shandwick hugely appreciates the time taken to apply for the role and your recent interest in us. We will review all applications within five working days and be in touch with those who have been shortlisted to the next stage.

I want to be fully honest: unfortunately, down to volume I’m not always able to get back to everyone individually. And so if you have not heard back from us this usually means that, unfortunately, you have not been successful on this occasion. Even though I didn’t manage to say it in a personal manner, I really do wish you all the best in your search.

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