Policy Shapers - Volunteer

Policy Shapers are experts in their field of interest and play a central role in the ongoing development of Volt Europa’s policy portfolio. By working collaboratively with other Policy Shapers, National Policy Leads and other Volt members, and by seeking input from external stakeholders, they craft policies and identify and share best practices. They are also responsible for ensuring that Volt’s policies are brought to the attention of other thought-leaders and the general public through networking and external outputs.

  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.

Location: Remote

We are actively seeking Policy Shapers for the topics of:

  • Education and Youth

  • Inclusivity: Ethnicity, Language & Religion

  • Inclusivity: LGBTQIA+ rights

  • Health and Social Care

  • Justice Systems

  • Culture and Open Societies

  • EU Reform

  • Corruption

  • Sustainability/ Climate Change


Responsibilities

Policy portfolio development and review

  • Provide expert insight and support for the review and revision of Volt’s current policy portfolio.

  • Lead the production of research, policy proposals, policy papers and candidate briefs on your topic of interest.

  • Support policy proposal working groups to produce coherent, thoughtful policy proposals before and during Policy Cycles.

  • Depending on the topic area, be willing to reflect on the work of other Policy Shapers from a cross-cutting perspective to determine any possible blind spots or unintended consequences of their proposed policies.

Policy Community development

  • In collaboration with other Policy Shapers and with assistance from the Communities Lead, establish and maintain a Policy Community for your topic area that brings Volt members at all levels together with external experts, organisations and activists to make policy development more organic and policy dialogue more vibrant. There is considerable freedom, flexibility and opportunity for initiative in this task, and it requires creativity and commitment.

  • Engage proactively with stakeholders outside of Volt to foster meaningful relationships with and draw insights from a variety of organisations (e.g. academic, industry and legal experts, think tanks, members of affected groups, regulatory bodies).

  • Consistently monitor external sources of information related to your topic area (e.g. media, academic discussions, legislative developments) and, where appropriate, share findings and updates with other Shapers. Actively share research, experience and best practice with other Policy Shapers and Policy Communities through an internal chat.

  • Be representative of Volt Europa’s policies and principles at external events, panel discussions and in discussions with external stakeholders (when acting on behalf of Volt Europa).

 

Elected Official support and accountability

  • Assist Volt’s elected officials with ad hoc policy requests/enquiries, as well as monitoring and supporting officials’ progress in implementing and advocating for Volt’s policies in order to ensure accountability.

 

General tasks

  • Attend regular (monthly) online Policy Team meetings and reliably provide updates and thoughtful contextual insight. Where appropriate, attend additional meetings related to topical clusters.

  • Support other teams within Volt (e.g. Communications, Expansion, Political Positioning) with enquiries or requests for information/advice.

 

Qualifications

Required:

  • A commitment to and passion for developing and delivering progressive policy to improve the lives and experiences of citizens.

  • Expert knowledge and/or experience in the relevant policy area(s) or topic(s).

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to absorb complex information and present it to different audiences in a clear and accessible way.

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

  • Interpersonal and leadership skills to build meaningful relationships with people from a range of backgrounds and with potentially contrary viewpoints.

  • 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 5-10 hours a week to the role in a flexible working environment.

 

Desirable:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. political science, public policy, economics) or equivalent experience.

  • 2-3 years of experience in a policy-related role, preferably in a political or advocacy setting.

  • Experience in organising and coordinating events.

  • Proven research and policy analysis skills, required to build an evidence base for policymaking.

  • Policy writing skills and an understanding of the European legislative process.

 

Please note that this is an unpaid volunteering position. Policy Shapers are expected to commit 5-10 hours a week to the role.

 

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