Vacancy: International Project Support Officer – Fulfilled

DRIFT is looking for an organisational talent for the day-to-day management support of an international research project (TRANSIT) that has been funded by the European Union’s FP7 Research Program for Social Sciences and Humanities.

Update: we found ourselves a new colleague. Thanks for your interest!

The International Project Support Officer will be responsible for the operational affairs of the TRANSIT (TRANsformative Social Innovation Theory) project, under the supervision of the scientific coordinators and financial manager. As the Project Support Officer, you will not only perform routine administrative duties: your responsibilities are inextricably tied to the success of the projects, driving everything forward from planning to implementation.

This role is intended to start a critical juncture within the project, which is due to end in February 2018. The Project Support Officer will be tasked with completing the organization of the project’s final conference, which will take place on 14-15 September 2017, as well as overseeing its execution and follow up. Other essential foci include preparing for the final reporting of the project, supporting the scientific coordinators in closing the project and ensuring its legacy, and ensuring that all obligations towards the European Commission are met.

Main Tasks

• Staffing the front office: being the first contact point regarding TRANSIT at DRIFT (e.g. communication with project partners and external parties)
• Process management: Plan milestones and deliverables; ensure deadlines are met; implement and update management strategies for the projects; communicate professionally with international and European partners about forthcoming meetings, milestones and important events
• Management support: Provide management support to DRIFT’s scientific leads and financial manager as well as (external) scientific leaders of work packages
• Event management: Plan and organise project meetings and workshops (e.g. tasks related to agenda, minutes, location, participants), in particular the project’s final conference in September 2017
• Administration: Run the project administration; manage the project archives; update the project’s online content sharing tool (Box)
• Communication: Prepare regular written updates to the project consortium on scientific activities; contribute to newsletters and other publications to support dissemination efforts

Requirements

• At least applied university (higher vocational) degree, with a preference for a full academic degree
• Excellent command of English, both in spoken and written word
• Operational management skills: highly-organised, pro-active, accurate, succinct, efficient, reliable, pragmatic, attention to detail while always being on top of things, coping well with complexity, capable of multi-tasking and able to work effectively under pressure
• Experience in project support and operational management of international projects
• Relational skills: representative, confident, sociable and sensitive to social processes and group dynamics.
• Required computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype/Zoom.
• EU citizenship or pre-existing, job-independent right to work in the Netherlands (e.g. residence with explicit right to work)

Conditions of employment

In accordance with our employment policies, you will be offered a temporary contract for eight months (starting July 1st 2017 at the very latest). Salary is subject to know-how and experience and corresponds to scale 8 CAO NU, which is a minimum of € 2.465 and a maximum of € 3.292 gross per month on a full-time basis (38 hours per week). However, the CAO-NU collective labour agreement does not apply to this position. In addition to the monthly salary, you will receive an annual 8% holiday allowance, but you are not eligible for an end of year pay (‘eindejaarsuitkering’). We offer a dynamic and challenging environment, good working conditions and flexible working hours.

DRIFT is committed to equality and diversity in research, education, consultancy, management and dissemination activities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Additional information

For additional information regarding this vacancy, please contact Matthew Bach (bach@drift.old.tabs-spaces.nl).

Job application

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with the ultimate deadline being 30 May 2017. Applicants should send their application consisting of the following as soon as possible to Matthew Bach (bach@drift.old.tabs-spaces.nl):

• 1. A motivation letter, specifying the candidate’s experiences and motivations (in English);
• 2. A full CV, including an overview of projects and coordination activities (in English);
• 3. Two references (names + contact details).

1, 2 and 3 should be sent as attachments in one email. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Set dates for interviews are May 26th and June 6th.

Agency or acquisition inquiries for this vacancy are not welcome

About DRIFT

The Dutch Research Institute for Transitions is an action research institute located at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Founded in 2004, DRIFT evolved from a Dutch based research institute to an internationally oriented institute with worldwide networks, projects and contributions in the field of sustainability transitions. We are a young, ambitious and interdisciplinary group of 20 researchers, trainers and consultants that combine academic research with practice. Next to research, DRIFT is involved in multiple education projects and advises various organisations within the Netherlands, Europe and non-European countries, regarding the challenges of sustainability transitions. Read more about DRIFT here.