Practitioners´Network for European Development Cooperation
Vacancy Notice for:
Coordinator (full-time)
BACKGROUND
Founded in 2007, the Practitioners' Network for European Development Cooperation (PN) is a network of European national development cooperation agencies based in Brussels and registered as an AISBL (international non-profit association) under Belgian legislation. It currently counts 16 full members, 8 associate members and one observer (the European Commission) and serves as a platform for exchange, learning, coordination, and harmonization. The PN aims to strengthen cooperation, synergies and complementarity between implementers (practitioners) of European development cooperation with a public service mission. It contributes as a key actor to further developing the Team Europe Approach and advancing Sustainable Development Goals, including through Global Gateway. It also provides feedback on European development policies from a practitioners’ perspective, while enhancing the visibility of Europe’s partnerships and cooperation for sustainable development. It has several working groups, workstreams and task forces, led by different PN members, dedicated to specific topics or objectives such as advancing the Team Europe Approach, engaging with the private Sector for sustainable development, operating in fragile contexts, or a gender task force.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRACTITIONERS’ NETWORK COORDINATION TEAM
The PN is currently in a process of strengthening its secretariat and is now looking to hire a Coordination Team based in Brussels. The role of the coordination team will be to support the annual rotating PN Presidencies and its members in advancing the PN and in its organisational, logistical, administrative and financial management.
The Coordination Team shall consist of three functions:
- Network Coordinator (full-time)
- Network Coordination and Communication Officer (full-time)
- Network Finance & Administration Officer (part-time)
Collectively, the coordination team is responsible for:
- Supporting the PN Presidency and Steering Committee in providing leadership and direction to the PN;
- Ensuring effective internal and external communication and visibility;
- Guiding and supporting thematic working groups, workstreams and task forces of the PN;
- Ensuring smooth operational and financial management and accountability of PN;
- Supporting the PN Presidency, Steering Committee and General Assembly in ensuring good governance in line with the Charter and legal requirements;
- Preparing, recording and reporting network activities;
- Ensuring continuity and coherence of processes / practices as well as good knowledge management across rotating Presidencies.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Network Coordinator leads the Coordination team.
Tasks and Responsibilities
- Network Coordination
- Provide strategic advice to the Presidency and Steering Committee (SC) for further developing the PN so its activities and outputs contribute to an effective European development cooperation in line with the European Consensus on Development and the SDGs;
- Provide overall operational and organizational coordination of the PN, ensuring the PN functions in line with its Charter as well as legal requirements;
- Under the guidance of the Presidency and SC, lead the preparation of PN annual work plan and budget;
- With the Presidency, manage and maintain the PN membership (assessment of membership requests against membership criteria, communication on membership matters, ensure collection of membership fees);
- Ensure knowledge management, learning and efficient information flow across the PN members (including between consecutive Presidencies);
- Facilitate consultation and consensus-seeking processes among PN members;
- Facilitate the preparation of conceptual and strategic papers, joint position papers and speaking notes, including drafting;
- Conceptualise, with the Presidency, regular and special PN events (e.g. the Annual Meeting of the General Assembly, CEO meetings, Steering Committee meetings...), ensure follow-up;
- Line-manage the PN Coordination & Communication Officer and the Finance & Administration Officer;
- Oversee the financial management of the PN, including monitoring of expenditures and revenues in alignment with annual budget and work plan, and annual audit;
- Manage the preparation of the PN annual report and other reports (e.g. minutes of events).
- Support and orient the PN working groups
- In line with the objectives and priorities of the Network and its Presidency, provide strategic direction and support to the PN’s thematic working groups, workstreams and task forces to ensure their relevance and results-orientation, leveraging synergies where possible;
- Representation and visibility
- Facilitate and ensure the representation of the PN vis-à-vis external stakeholders and at events, exceptionally represent the PN if instructed by the Presidency and approved by the SC;
- Oversee PN communications and visibility plans and outputs;
- Support the Presidency in identifying and managing partnerships with external actors.
Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, EU Affairs or an academic degree in a relevant field
- Demonstrated understanding of the functioning of the European Union and its external policies, with a specific focus on European Development Cooperation, including policies, approaches and tools that promote joint work and collaboration among the EU and its Member States
- Min. 6 years’ work experience in a coordination role, including staff and budget management, of which min. 2 working in/for a network
- Previous experience working for an implementing agency of an EU Member State will be considered as an asset
- Excellent verbal and writing skills in English.
- Knowledge of other European languages is an asset, especially French
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Strong facilitation and moderation skills
- Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications, and digital co-working tools
- Structured, with solid organisation and planning skills
- Proactive and creative individual, independent and autonomous way of working
- Strong team player
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
Duty station: Brussels, Belgium
Contract type: National employment contract. 2 years with possible extension
Expected start date: 01 December 2024
We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer an exciting and responsible role in a growing and innovative network, opportunities to further develop your skills and relations in a diverse, supportive and international environment.
We support equal opportunities. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity are important to us. All staff should be valued – regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, social background, sexual orientation.
HOW TO APPLY?
Please send a:
- Letter of motivation
- CV
- Names and contact details of 2 reference persons
simultaneously to practitionersnetworkrecruitment@expertisefrance.fr and recruitment-pn@ada.gv.at
by 22 September 2024.