Legislative Assistant (Volunteer)

  • Reports to: Legislative Office Lead, EUR Policy Leads

  • Location: Remote

Legislative Assistants provide legal guidance and support to the EUR Policy Team’s Policy Shapers and Volt’s Thematic Communities to enable them to draft policies that require legislative change. They have in-depth knowledge of the legal landscape and processes at either the European level or within one or more European countries. They use this knowledge and insight to support the policy team to formulate policy proposals that are compatible with established legislative processes.

Responsibilities vary but may include:

  • Working closely with Policy Shapers and other members of the Volt policy team by developing strategies to achieve policies from a legislative perspective.

  • Analysing and documenting the legal basis for Volt’s policies, determining how existing legislation can be harnessed and where laws need to be changed.

  • Maintaining a watching brief on legislative developments at the EU level (and, where appropriate, national legislation) and keeping the rest of the policy team informed.

  • Consulting with other legal and policy professionals to gain insights into strategies for policy development.

  • Populating a legal database for use by other Legislative Assistants and Volt policymakers.

  • Researching existing legislative concepts to provide examples of best practice.

  • Attending monthly (online) EUR Policy Team meetings, as well as other ad-hoc meetings with members of the team.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Good legal knowledge/experience gained through academic study or professionally at the European and/or national level.

  • Highly developed analytical and research skills, able to scrutinise existing law and policy in order to develop practical steps to legislative change.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to produce legal briefings and advice that is comprehensible to a lay audience.

  • English language competence at CEFR level C1 or above. (The working language of Volt Europa’s EUR Policy Team is English.)

  • Interpersonal skills to build meaningful relationships with people from a range of backgrounds and the ability to find solutions to problems in a collaborative manner.

  • A flexible and adaptable approach in order to respond to shifting priorities and a rapidly evolving external environment.

  • A commitment to upholding principles of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work, including the channels and processes through which policy is made.

  • Availability and willingness to commit 3-10 hours a week to the role in a flexible working environment.

In particular, we are seeking Legislative Assistants with specific knowledge of environmental, employment, human rights and financial law.

Desirable:

  • Bachelor's degree in law or legal studies, or equivalent experience.

  • Some knowledge of the principles of policymaking, as well as more detailed knowledge of policy within a specific field of interest.

  • Experience in a policy-related role.

Please note that this is an unpaid volunteering position. Legislative Assistants are expected to commit 3-8 hours a week to the role.

 Interested? Send your CV and a short covering email to [email protected]

About the European Policy Team

The European Policy Team’s mission is to serve the vision of Volt Europa. We strive to make policymaking an inclusive environment for all and to develop policy proposals of the highest quality. Our core responsibilities include overseeing and promoting policymaking within Volt Europa and beyond.

 Volt Europa actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Volt Europa does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race or ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity.