Are you interested in how Europe can strengthen its international cooperation and external action agendas with the Global South and Africa in particular? Are you ready to engage with a dynamic network of around 500 researchers from all over Europe? And do you have experience in policy-oriented research and organising multi-stakeholder events? We are looking for an ETTG Director to lead our team in Brussels.
Who are we?
The European Think Tanks Group (ETTG) is a network of independent European think tanks working on EU international cooperation for global sustainable development. Our members are:
- The European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)
- The Elcano Royal Institute / Real Instituto Elcano (RIE)
- The International Affairs Institute / Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI)
- The Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations / Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales (IDDRI)
- The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
- ODI – Global Affairs Think Tank
These six institutes have some 500 researchers, covering all major aspects of the EU’s external action, international development and humanitarian policy. They share a strong commitment to higher global welfare and a strong belief in the importance of better collective action to achieve global goals. As think tanks, and as policy-focused research institutes, they also share a commitment to effective outreach and engagement with policy-makers and policy processes.
What will the ETTG Director be doing?
The ETTG Director is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the ETTG. He/She reports to the ETTG Board, composed of the Directors of the ETTG Member Institutes. On day to day matters s/he supervises and works with the ETTG Coordinator and the ETTG Engagement Officer.
Specifically, the ETTG Director:
- In close coordination with the ETTG Secretariat and the ETTG members, oversees the preparation of the ETTG strategy to be validated by the ETTG Board and ensures its effective implementation;
- Chairs and convenes regular meetings of the Sherpa group (representatives of the different member institutes) to steer the work of ETTG;
- Works with the Sherpas to encourage good involvement of researchers from each ETTG member institute;
- Oversees the work of the ETTG Secretariat;
- Represents ETTG, develops and maintains the ETTG network in Brussels and the Member States;
- Manages relations with funding partners;
- Leads fundraising for the ETTG;
- Represents ETTG externally and explores contacts and opportunities to identify enhanced and future ETTG engagement and influence;
- Contributes substantially to the work programme of ETTG;
- Supports the members of ETTG in initiating formal meetings and informal discussions with policy-makers and senior officials in the EU Institutions, multilateral organisations and the Global South;
- Authors opinion-editorials, blogs, high-level policy briefings and other targeted materials to publish externally or to submit informally to EU senior officials in support of agreed ETTG agendas.
Who are we looking for?
Our ideal candidate:
- Has a master’s degree or a PhD in political, economic or social sciences with a particular interest in foreign policy and development
- Has at least 15 years of relevant work experience, in the Brussels environment around the EU institutions.
- Has solid experience in engaging with the national and European Institutions, as well as think tanks.
- Has experience in managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and network development;
- Has excellent communication (written and spoken) skills. Has excellent organisation skills.
- Has a solid track-record of strategy development and business planning;
- Has experience and proven competencies in fund-raising and donor relations;
- Is fluent in English (C2 written and spoken), and French (C2 written and spoken).
- Has advanced computer skills (especially with layout work in Word and Excel).
- Has experience with database and content management (website) systems
- Has a valid work permit for Belgium (if applicable)
What do we offer you?
- A one and a half year contract for 20 hours a week, with the possibility of extension depending on budget availability.
- A gross monthly salary of 3,300 € and 4,000 € based on experience.
- A holiday and end-of-year allowance.
- A generous leave package (based on a 20 hours work week).
- Possibilities to travel in Europe, Africa, L. America and Asia.
- A home in an international and dynamic organisation.
The person will be based in the Brussels office of ECDPM and will work in close cooperation with the ETTG Coordinator, the ETTG Engagement Officer and the ETTG Sherpas. The preferred starting date for the position is 4 September 2023.
How to apply?
If you are interested in the position, please send (1) a completed application form, (2) a cover letter and (3) your CV to Daniele Fattibene at ettginfo@ecdpm.org before 1 May 2023. The subject line of your application should read: ‘Application ETTG Director’. We will only look at applications that are on time, complete and in English.
Only selected candidates will be invited for an interview, preferably with physical presence in the week of 22 May 2023.
Photo by Anton Vierietin on iStock