The Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) is searching for a dynamic, innovative and highly-motivated Senior Policy & Project Coordinator, to join its vibrant Brussels-based Secretariat (team of six) for a stage of new strategic development and organisational enhancement.

Job description

The Senior Policy & Project Coordinator position encompasses a melange of responsibilities, namely:

• Support in coordinating the policy, members’ engagement and project work of the ACA Secretariat.

• Specific coordination of engagement and support activities with and for the ACA members (e.g. working groups, consultation processes, etc.).

• Coordination of/and regular grant-writing, with a view to securing project funding for the association.

• Representation of the association vis-à-vis policy-makers, in expert groups and in various international fora and events (as a speaker, panellist, moderator, etc.), often at a high-level.

• Drafting of policy and position papers to support the association’s advocacy work.

• Support in carrying out applied research on the internationalisation of higher education and in the production of related publications.

• Event planning and training activities.

Although the Secretariat is based in Brussels, the position requires frequent international travel in Europe and beyond.

Background, qualifications and skills

• Minimum 8 years of experience in (international) higher education cooperation.

• Very good knowledge of the European and EU higher education landscape, as well as of global trends.

• Proven ability to successfully write grant and project applications and secure related funding (e.g. in Erasmus+, Horizon 2020, ESF, national or regional funding sources, etc.).

• Extensive project management experience, in running teams of different sizes.

• Regular representation (as a speaker, panellist, or moderator) at international events.

• Demonstrable advocacy activities (representation vis-à-vis policy-makers, drafting of policy and position papers, etc.).

• Track record in applied research and/or policy analysis in areas of international higher education.

• English language proficiency at native-speaker level. Knowledge of additional European languages is an advantage.

• Very strong presentation, negotiation and communication skills, proactive, critically-constructive and goal-oriented attitude.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to fit in a multinational team of highly-capable professionals.

Additionally valued

• Experience in emerging areas related to international (higher) education: e.g. digitalisation, service to society, or environmental aspects applied to international higher education (e.g. ‘green mobility’), etc.

• Previous work with or for national-level internationalisation agencies (including Erasmus+ national agencies for higher education).

• Experience in membership engagement activities, and/or in association management.

• Training experience of (international) higher education professionals and/or in academia.

Application deadline: 31 July 2020

Interviews (indicative timing): 19 – 21 August or 24 – 26 August 2020 (depending on availability)

Envisaged start time: 1 October 2020

More information here.