URBACT is recruiting a Partnerships Officer (maternity leave replacement)

The Partnerships Officer will, under the responsibility of the Head of Unit – Capitalisation & Communication, be in charge of the coordination of National URBACT Points and all strategic partnerships that will be developed to foster the communications on URBACT activities and the uptake of URBACT results/knowledge. Partnerships may also in return contribute to core activities of the programme (e.g. capitalisation). The Partnerships Officer will also contribute to the delivery of other Programme level communications activities such as events and publications.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Coordination of National URBACT Points (approx. 75% time)

Regarding National URBACT Points, the Partnerships Officer will be in charge of the following:

a) Project development

• Contributes to regular improvement of the framework for NUP as needed so as to ensure successful delivery of dissemination objectives at programme level.

b) Project delivery

• Coordinates the activities of NUP, ensuring an ongoing flow of URBACT related content between the URBACT programme and NUP;
• Supports NUP with the elaboration of their annual workplans in coordination with National authorities, and validates NUP workplans and budgets in coordination with Head of Unit – Capitalisation & Communication;
• Monitors and reviews progress in the implementation of NUP work plansSupports the Head of Unit – Capitalisation & Communication and the Administration and Coordination Manager in monitoring the budget allocated to NUPs.

2. Development and coordination of strategic partnerships to foster dissemination of URBACT results (approx. 10% time)

Beyond the coordination of National URBACT Points, the Partnerships officer will be in charge of animating strategic partnerships to foster communications as well as the uptake of URBACT results and to feed into other programme level activities (e.g. Capitalisation). Such partnerships will include collaboration with the other pan-European ETC programmes (INTERREG EUROPE, ESPON, INTERACT), European networking organisations (eg Eurocities, CEMR, Energy cities, CECODHAS etc.), international organisations working on urban issues (eg OECD, UN-Habitat etc.).

3. Other communications activities (approx. 10% time)

The Partnerships Officer will also support the Capitalisation and Communication Officer with the delivery of communications activities such as press relations, organisation of programme events and publications.

4. Programme Implementation (approx. 5% time)

The Partnership Officer shall assist the Head of Unit – Capitalisation and Communication in:

• Preparing information for the annual implementation reports in accordance with European Commission requirements;
• Collecting interesting data to be included in the annual implementation report to the EC and in other possible publications;
• Contributing to the Programme Monitoring Committee’s preparation on all issues related to NUP and partnership projects and reporting to the Monitoring Committee.
   

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

• A degree in Communications or a field relevant to URBACT activities (urban policies, sociology, political science, transnational cooperation, etc.)
• A minimum of 3 years of experience, in particular with one or several of the following:
  - EU-funded networking programmes, preferably on cross-border, transnational or interregional cooperation;
  - Coordinating/animating networks, preferably in a European/international context;
  - Communications (especially targeting policy-makers and practitioners at local, national and EU level).

Skills and abilities

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines, and work well with others in a fast-paced environment. Should be able to organize and prioritize own work with limited supervision;
• Sense of initiative, discretion, mature judgment, and entrepreneurial spirit is required;
• Strong presentation, writing and negotiation skills;
• Excellent communications skills (both oral and written);
• Enthusiastic and comfortable with the use of social media;
• Demonstrable ability to communicate at a high level, both verbally and in writing, and capacity to effectively interact with a multiplicity of stakeholders including senior leaders;
• Experience of work as part of an international team;
• Basic budgetary skills and able to work within limited resources;
• Fluency in English (both written and spoken), and proficiency in at least one of the other EU languages; French appreciated.
• Background in European Affairs and European organisations/ programmes operating on issues related to sustainable urban development desirable;
• Computer literacy;
• Available for frequent travels across Europe.

More information about the position can be found HERE

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Interested candidates are invited to send their applications in English, including a Curriculum Vitae (Europass format), and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience, what motivates them for the job and why they are suitable for the position.

Applications must be sent exclusively by email to Nuala Morgan, Head of Unit – Capitalisation & Communication and Thierry Picquart, Head of Unit - Administration & Coordination

Applications closing date and recruitment process:

• Closing date for applications: 19 November 2017 midnight CET
• Skype and/or face-to-face interviews with shortlisted candidates could be held on 23-24 November 2017 and/or 30 November-1st December 2017