Application call for EPHA-OSF Early Childhood

Development Paid Fellowship

January, 2017

Background

With the support of the Public Health Program of the Open Society Foundations, the European
Public Health Alliance (EPHA) – Europe’s leading NGO advocating for better health –
launches a one-year fellowship programme (2017 - 2018) to train and mentor a Paid Early
Childhood Development Fellow.
(Please note there is a separate call for applications for the EU Roma Health Fellowship.)

The Fellowship aims to empower an Early Childhood Advocate from a CEE country to develop
the necessary tools to engage with European policy-makers. The Early Childhood Fellow (and
his/her sending organisation) will develop their professional skills with a practical and
European orientation, and develop contacts and cooperation with the most important European
actors (e.g. European Commission, Members of the European Parliament and European
networks of NGOs inter-alia).

Description of the Early Childhood Fellowship programme

The programme provides tailored technical assistance for an Early Childhood activist on EU
Health Advocacy. The tailored assistance will include mentoring and training component on
the key EU health processes. It will also facilitate establishing partnerships and potential
collaborations with relevant EU actors.

The work of the Early Childhood Fellow could be integrated into the process to either develop
an early childhood specific case study or to include a strong child rights dimension into pro-
Roma advocacy actions. As there is a strong case for investment in social policies at the earliest
age, the Fellow could monitor social determinants of health (such as poverty) or maternal health
and equity in the framework of European or national policies. The organization of healthcare
systems is a national competence with varying legislation across all EU member states, which

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results different levels of access, conditions and care for mothers before, during and after
pregnancy. As maternal health is not included as an indicator in the monitoring of different EU
member states health systems, there are no official data on mothers from disadvantaged
backgrounds.

Having Roma origins is not a pre-conditition for the Early Childhood Fellowship programme
but it would be an advantage as the implementation of the Early Childhood Fellowship will be
in line with the EPHA-OSF Roma Health Fellowship programme.

The Early Childhood Fellowship will include a 3-month full time, paid period in Brussels and
6 months part-time, paid period when the Fellow will be based in his/her home country,
mostly via electronic communication with the EPHA mentor. However, if the person prefers
to be located at home also for the 3 month full time, paid period, it is flexibility in the
programme so it will be feasible. The programme requires 3 months full-time engagement in
Brussels and approximately half a day per week engagement during the remaining 6 months
from the fellow so as to develop the following skills:

 Thorough, practical understanding of EU decision making and consultation processes

with a focus on health actors within the EU institutions
 Policy analysis skills
 Building alliances with various organizations working on social and health policies.
 Drafting policy-relevant texts and recommendations for decision-makers
 Presentation and advocacy skills, e.g. for meetings with EU decision makers.

Objectives and expected outcomes of the fellowship

The Fellowship aims to empower the Early Childhood Fellow to develop the necessary tools
to engage in advocacy on children’s health with European policy makers. Upon completion,
the Fellow will be able to navigate the EU scene, interact and advocate for advancing children’s
health at European level.

The Fellowship will train an early childhood fellow to be able to develop and implement a 9
month program facilitated by the mentor, to strengthen his/her public speaking skills, to deepen

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his/her knowledge of advocacy techniques and strengthen his/her networks by meeting EU
actors.

Qualifications and requirements for the early childhood fellow:

 Candidates from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), preferably from Slovakia,
Romania, or Bulgaria
 Fluency in English; plus Slovak, Romanian and/or Bulgarian
 Active in civil society sector on early childhood development, or children health or
children’s rights for a minimum of two years or relevant experience;
 University degree, preferably in a relevant field, or an extensive work experience e.g.
social sciences, health, economics, (public) policy, international relations
 Excellent written and oral communication and strong analytical skills
 Ability to work independently
 Creative mindset, strong motivation and initiative

Previous experience in advocacy (influencing decision making at local, regional, national or

European level), MA in health or social sciences as well as understanding of children’s health
issues would be an advantage. The ideal candidate would be a ‘children’s rights leader’. Roma
origin is not a precondition for that programme but would be an advantage, given the links
between EPHA’s Roma Health Fellowship and Early Childhood Development programme.

Duration of the Fellowship activities of the project: March 2017 – March 2018

Deadline to apply: Tuesday, January 31st, 17.00 pm CET

How to apply:

 Please send your CV, your motivation letter and a cover letter (written by the
organisation where you are currently working) explaining your interest and how your
organization could benefit from this experience.

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  In case you are not currently employed please provide a reference letter from your past
employer or from a university professor. Please explain how your organization and
yourself are already working or are committed to work on early childhood
development-related issues and how this fellowship could advance this.

 Send your application to jobs@epha.org with “Early Childhood Fellowship Program-

application” in the subject line

Selection procedure:

EPHA and the OSF Early Childhood Programme will pre-select candidates based on the
applications received. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a telephone interview.

The selection will be made without regard to religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital
status, or disability.