HEI POLICY AND ALLIANCES 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 HEI Initiative Policy and Alliance Manager forms part of the core coordination team of the EIT's HEI Initiative. The purpose of this role is: To provide essential policy expertise and direction around innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education for the continued enhancement of the HEI Initiative's success and impact, including liaising with, coordinating and harnessing the value of the pool of HEI Initiative evaluators, who will add to this internal expertise. This also translates into leading the eligibility, evaluation and selection process of the HEI Initiative Calls for Proposals. To act as the HEI Initiative's Brussels-based representative to intensify the dissemination efforts and activities of the HEI Initiative at the EU level and within the broader European higher education policy landscape, building alliances and establishing synergies with other initiatives and instruments. Key responsibilities: Dedicated policy lead for the HEI Initiative: Support the Head of the HEI Initiative with designing and moderating internal policy discussions with the steering group/Education Directors of the EIT Community and other key external stakeholders Draft and coordinate the collection, curation and publication of position papers, briefs and HEI Initiative data-driven studies around innovation capacity building in higher education, to both: enhance the internal collective knowledge and policy expertise of the initiative to garner reputation and visibility for the initiative as a leading policy voice in the innovation in higher education landscape Lead, coordinate and facilitate the HEI Initiative webinar series across innovation capacity building in higher education topics’ Dissemination, outreach and alliance-building for the HEI Initiative: Provide support to the Head of the HEI Initiative to strategically position the HEI Initiative as a key capacity building instrument for higher education institutions within the broader European higher education policy landscape Seek out and implement outreach and alliance-building activities that can allow the HEI Initiative to establish synergies and complementarities with other initiatives and instruments, especially at the European level, and in line with the SIA 2021-2027. For example, with key higher education associations Represent the HEI Initiative at key events and conferences, including high-level workshops and events with the European Commission, EIT and national ministries of education. Organise and facilitate focus groups and breakout groups with key stakeholders HEI Initiative Work Package Lead: Responsible for the dissemination/promotion and alliance building strategy for the HEI Initiative Leader of the dissemination and alliance-building work package, including responsibility for the completion of all work package milestones, deliverables and supervision of its budget Main point of contact and liaison with the sub-contracted communications agency responsible for the HEI Initiative communications strategy and implementation Calls for Proposals eligibility, evaluation and selection process coordinator: Review, improve and implement effective processes for the eligibility, evaluation and selection period of all HEI Initiative Calls for Proposals Responsible for Calls for Evaluators and recruitment process Responsible for the selection and onboarding of the HEI Initiative pool of evaluators and coordination of their services/activities related to all Calls for Proposals Responsible for the HEI Initiative info email address during open Calls for Proposals. Solid experience working within the complex higher education programmes context at the European level, in particular, in Horizon Europe or Erasmus+ Master's degree in education sciences, business/public administration, engineering sciences, social sciences or other related degrees Understanding of European higher education systems, their governance, but also priorities, challenges, incentives and trends Knowledge of European policy priorities, including but not limited to the European Education Area, European Research Area, European Green Deal, Fit For 55, New European Bauhaus, Europe Fit For the Digital Age, Digital Education Action Plan, etc. Ability to be conceptual and creative, and translate and communicate a common vision and shared goals into a clear action plan Ability to inspire a broad range of stakeholders through compelling storytelling Experience with managing large, complex, multi-stakeholder networks Fluency in spoken and written English (C2 level). 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.