HEI COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE MANAGER (M/F/D) REMOTE POST

The demand for raw materials—minerals and metals—will increase immensely over the next 30 years. Driven by the enormous growth of green energy transition and the need to abandon fossil fuels and embrace renewable, clean sources of energy, the demand exposes a high level of supply risk of some materials for Europe. Raw materials will play a central role in the growth of clean technologies, and meeting therefore, the EU’s 2050 climate-neutrality goal. In the wake of supply disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe’s lack of resilience for its growing metals needs has become a strategy concern. And this is where EIT RawMaterials comes in. Europe will require a vastly increased use of raw materials. Electric vehicles require six times the amount of raw materials than a conventional car, for example. To secure these high levels, great levels of innovation will be needed to digitalise, automate and electrify current processes along the entire value chain of raw materials, from responsible mining to recycling. To this end, EIT RawMaterials along with its 300+ partners, supports the development of dynamic, long-term European partnerships among leading companies, research labs and higher education that collaborate together to develop innovation and education initiatives to achieve these goals. To drive innovation of the raw materials sector, EIT RawMaterials powers innovators and entrepreneurs across the EU and beyond to turn their best ideas into cutting-edge products and services. We actively support the brightest emerging startups and entrepreneurs and to date we have worked with more than 140 upscaling projects as well as over 300 start-ups offering solutions to challenges across the raw materials value chain. EIT RawMaterials also invests in the skilling of future generations of innovators for the raw materials sector through initiatives ranging from the education of school students to higher qualifications for industry professionals, as well as initiatives that seek to address the gender imbalance by attracting more women to STEM and the geosciences. Apply for a position at EIT RawMaterials, an industry sector fast gaining prominence as raw materials pave the way for renewable energy to be fast-tracked, carbon emissions to be lowered and net-zero climate change goals achieved. Join our vibrant international team and be part of this fascinating journey. EIT RawMaterials is an Innovation Community within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The EIT HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education has been designed with the aim of increasing the innovation and entrepreneurial capacity in higher education by bringing together Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in innovation value chains and ecosystems across Europe. A central philosophy of the EIT is the integration of the EIT Knowledge Triangle Model into all its activities. HEIs selected to participate in the HEI Initiative will also leverage and use the Knowledge Triangle Model as an enabler, facilitating the creation of systemic, institutional change. Additionally, HEIs selected to participate in the HEI Initiative will contribute to and leverage Smart Specialisation Strategies, the Regional Innovation Impact Assessment (RIIA) Framework, as well as align to the goals of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS). This will strengthen the links between HEIs and their local and regional ecosystems and provide an impetus to leverage additional funding sources beyond the HEI project funding period of the selected HEI projects. HEIs are encouraged to prepare applications which will support the development and implementation of six Actions in their institutions, cumulatively leading to institutional transformation, an increase in entrepreneurial and innovation capacity, and integration with innovation ecosystems. The purpose of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Initiative Community Manger position is to cultivate and engage a cohesive and collaborative community of HEI Initiative projects and participating organisations (both HEIs and non-HEIs). The position will design and implement structures, processes and activities that harness the community's collective value and foster cross-community synergies, with the goal of establishing an effective and lasting HEI Initiative Community of Practice. Aside from responding to recommendations set out from the EIT Governing Board following the Pilot phase evaluation, establishing a successful Community of Practice will ultimately enhance the initiative's scope, visibility, impact and longevity and create further opportunities for collaboration and synergies across the European innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. This position also serves to coordinate and support the cross-KIC team of Project Officers (POs) assigned to take care of HEI Initiative projects; for POs, the Community Manager is the main contact point within the HEI Initiative core management team. Finally, the Community Manager assumes the role of Project Officer for all EIT RawMaterials-assigned HEI Initiative projects. Key responsibilities: Responsible for the HEI Initiative Community of Practice vision, strategy and implementation Lead the Community of Practice work package and coordinate all activities/tasks that fall under it, including the work package task force Lead the continuous development and engagement with the HEI Initiative's closed-community online repository of resources and good practices, the Resource Hub Lead the organisation and implementation of events and workshops run under the Community of Practice work package Responsible for the planning, monitoring and reporting of all WP2: Community of Practice activities, including its milestones, deliverables and budget Coordinate the cross-KIC team of Project Officers (POs) and further foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration among this team, POs being the bridge between the HEI Initiative management team and the HEI Initiative funded projects SPOC for all Project Officers, supporting with all queries, doubts and issues related to individual projects Plan and lead all Project Officer meetings (monthly operational meeting and monthly portfolio learning and sharing meeting) Coordinate and participate in the progress reviews of the selected HEI projects HEI Initiative Project Officer role for EIT RawMaterials-assigned projects: SPOC with all EIT RM HEI Initiative projects Regular update meetings with projects and follow up Monitor progress of the HEI Projects regarding their timelines, budgets, deliverables and milestones, and scope of activities, flagging any issues Support throughout entire project lifecycle, including general queries, demonstration of tools, project milestones, events, KIC reporting requirements and the HEI Initiative project review process Support the projects with fostering community links with other HEI Projects within the HEI Initiative and beyond, as well as being a vessel to further opportunities for collaboration and growth Lead the development and dissemination of the Project Handbook (one per cohort), with the HEI Initiative Specialist as support on operational/financial issues Business Plan and performance reporting Support the HEI Initiative Manager with the preparation and submission of progress reports to EIT Support the coordination, preparation and submission of all HEI Initiative Business Plans and amendments In close cooperation with the rest of the core coordination team, support the coordination and submission of annual performance reporting and HEI Initiative Review processes General management Contribute to the overall management of the HEI Initiative portfolio Contribute to the improvement of the existing project management tools and processes Support the development of processes, guidelines and implementation plans in other work areas and EIT RawMaterials departments. Master's or advanced Degree in public administration, economics, international studies, engineering sciences, education sciences or related field Experience with the establishment and nurturing of a Community of Practice Experience working with the implementation of EU-funded programmes in an international context Knowledge of Horizon2020 / Horizon Europe and European education, research and innovation policy Strong project management skills, attention to detail, ability to set priorities and complete tasks in a timely manner Proficient user of Microsoft Office Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment Is self-driven, able to work independently and make sound judgements Strong communication skills and ability to prepare and present to different target groups and audiences Fluency in written and spoken English (C2-level) Willingness to travel when required (average once per month) Previous work with higher education institutions would be an asset PRINCE2 or PMP certification would be an asset. We value all kinds of diversity in our team. The vacancy remain open until the successful candidate is hired. We are ready to provide fully remote job conditions from everywhere across Europe.