Vacancies

Senior Policy Officer (12 months)

Role description

Reporting to the Secretary-General, the Senior Policy Officer will develop and maintain strong networks with the EU institutions to articulate and advocate The Guild’s research and policy agendas.  With at least five years of relevant professional experience, s/he will demonstrate an understanding of, and a passion for, engaging with current policy developments and trends for research and innovation. The Senior Policy Officer will liaise and collaborate with other relevant institutions, lobby groups, and like-minded organizations in Brussels to promote The Guild’s priorities. S/he will coordinate selected working groups of The Guild, by developing their policy agendas and fostering collaboration and exchange between our members. This is a position to cover a temporary vacancy for the period 1 July 2021 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and 30 June 2022. The postholder will co-ordinate a number of working groups, including those focused on Horizon Europe, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Artificial Intelligence.

The position will include the following responsibilities:

• Maintaining an up‐to‐date knowledge of European research and innovation policies, and developing particular expertise in the areas of the SPO’s leadership, including Horizon Europe, Social Sciences and Humanities, Artificial Intelligence, and other areas as needed (including aspects of the European Research Area).
• Coordinating the activities of the relevant working groups and facilitating the formulation of the network’s policy positions in the abovementioned areas, based on our existing positions. Setting the agenda for the working groups and producing reports, policy analysis and minutes to support the work of the groups.
• Supporting our governance meetings (General Assembly, Vice-Presidents’ meetings), including through writing the minutes.
• Collaborating in a with the other members of the team, and participate in the preparation of The Guild’s governance meetings.
• Creating good working relations with representatives of European Institutions (European Commission, European Parliament and the Council of the EU) and other networks in Brussels, to ensure effective collaboration where possible.
• Engaging with The Guild’s communications activities proactively (e.g. through social media).
• Promoting the excellence and reputation of member universities.
• Fulfilling other responsibilities and tasks as directed by the Secretary General. 
• Working in a collaborative way to help ensure that new and emerging areas of policy engagement and member collaboration are supported.

Education & required experience

• University degree, normally at Master’s level or higher.
• Good knowledge of the European higher education sector, and of the challenges and opportunities facing research-intensive universities.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English, knowledge of another European language is an asset.
• Relevant professional experience of at least 5 years.

Specific Competencies

• Excellent knowledge of EU decision-making processes and governance in relation to research, teaching, and innovation policy.
• Experience and knowledge in relation Horizon Europe, the Social Sciences and Humanities, the European Research Area, and/or artificial intelligence/digital will be considered an advantage.
• A good track record in analyzing public policy and advocating for agendas and solutions to senior policy makers within the EU Commission and Parliament.
• Experience in developing, reviewing and synthetizing policies and EU documents, and communicating outcomes to a diverse and broad audience.
• Ability to identify, in conjunction with Guild members, key areas of debate in scientific and policy development, and establish effective mechanisms for involving academics.
• Ability to handle confidentiality within the network, and externally.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

Other Competencies

• Ability to work independently, to high professional standards, on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to tackle challenges in a creative and dynamic manner.
• Prepared to travel and undertake additional duties as required.
• Ability to network and build relationships with outside organizations.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills within a multi-national context. 

The Guild offers

• 12-month fixed-term employment contract under Belgian law.
• Start date: 1 July 2021 (negotiable)
• A European working environment located in Brussels.
• Unless a national of the ‘EU and EEE’, candidates must be eligible to work in Belgium and have a work permit.

Further enquiries and applications should be submitted to info@the-guild.eu. We ask the applicants to include a cover letter, a CV in English, the names of two referees who can provide a reference in English (referees will be contacted at the final stage, with the applicant’s consent). The letter of application should reflect why candidates are interested in the post, and what they can contribute to it that is distinctive. The deadline for applications is 19th May 2021 (midnight). We will only contact candidates that have been shortlisted for interview, and we seek to complete the interview process by the early June.

The Guild is committed to maintaining the security of your data mentioned in your application throughout the selection process. If you are not selected, your messages and attached documents will be deleted.

 

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