Public Affairs Links

Policy Officer	ECDPM
Salary	€36,995 - €52,568
Location	Maastricht
Details	Job announcement for the function of Policy Officer on Political Economy of Reforms and Development for the Economic & Trade Cooperation Programme and the Governance Programme of ECDPM. The European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) in Maastricht (in the South of the Netherlands) is looking for an entrepreneurial professional for a full-time position to work on strengthening the quality and impact of the Centre’s dialogue, networking and capacity development activities in the context of the joint activities of the ECDPM Economic and Trade Cooperation Programme and Governance Programme. The successful candidate should have practical experience in the political economy of economic reforms and development, economic governance and equitable growth strategies, domestic resources mobilisation initiatives or regional integration processes in Africa. An interest and ability to facilitate and engage in policy processes and institutional development is required along with contributions to the planning, managing, sharing, publishing and disseminating of state-of-the-art practically oriented knowledge for the benefit of the Centre’ s stakeholders and networks. ECDPM has established itself as an independent ‘broker’ with respect to the policy dialogue and institutional capacity building activities that underlie Europe’s development cooperation relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The Centre presently organises its work around three thematic areas of ACP-EU co-operation: (i) Economic & Trade Cooperation (ETC); (ii) Governance; and (iii) Development Policy and International Relations (DPIR). Its brokering role is based on a strong network and a commitment to knowledge sharing and dissemination, including through publications such as Trade Negotiations Insights and the website www.acp-eu-trade.org. The Appointment ECDPM seeks to appoint a full-time (36 hours/week) staff member in the function of Policy Officer to be based in Maastricht, The Netherlands. Although the specific portfolio will be further specified, the Policy Officer will be responsible for supporting and further developing these activities on economic governance and political economy of development, providing quality results in terms of practical research and analysis, facilitation of dialogue, project management, policy-oriented communication and networking. He/she will concentrate on (some of) the following core areas of responsibility at strategic, programmatic and operational levels while reporting to the Heads of Programme: 1. To effectively manage projects for delivery on complex and high profile projects/policy processes 2. To decisively contribute to building, expanding and maintaining relevant strategic networks and partnerships 3. To identify new funding opportunities, to develop funding proposals and, to effectively secure funds for assigned projects and/or policy facilitation activities 4. To develop specialized knowledge on key policy issues through assembling content, doing research and brokering knowledge. The Policy Officer will be expected to work closely with the ETC and Governance Heads of Programme, other policy officers, research assistants and with the Centre’s administration. Taking into account specific personal competencies and experience, and in accordance with the programme needs of ECDPM, other activities may be assigned to his or her portfolio as well. Personal requirements We are looking for a practically-oriented and politically aware individual with anadaptable personality and a participatory approach able to deal with time pressure and conflicting demands in his/her area of expertise to take forward and manage various key tasks and activities, which require a variety of knowledge, experience, skills, traits and personal competencies. To this end, the candidate should have the following: • A Masters degree in a relevant academic discipline such as international economics, international relations, political science or political economy of development. • Background in thematic/geographical focus and pertaining stakeholder networks (experience with the implementation of ACP-EU cooperation or at least the ACPEU institutions), with a good understanding of economic and political realities in developing countries and governance challenges they are facing. • Execution of policy-relevant research and policy analysis and formulation, with publications to his/her credit. • Proven competencies to conduct policy work: good moderating skills (workshops), facilitation (policy-making process), presentation (in high-level meetings), communication, project and time management, advisory skills,patience. • Some 4 - 6 years of full-time equivalent professional practical experience in development cooperation, economic policy making or advice, institutional development or reform processes, preferably with at least one year based in a developing country. • Excellent knowledge of academic English and preferably also French. Knowledge of other European languages is an asset. • Very good, creative and independent writing skills (in English and preferably also in French), including the ability to structure persuasive arguments and present options to policy makers in a non-partisan way and the commitment to write (technical) papers, position statements, briefings, undertake and synthesize reviews of relevant policies and programmes, and interpret relevant trends in practice. • Willingness to carry out detailed policy-relevant research and to develop a solid understanding of issues such as economic governance, aid effectiveness and sector governance, regional integration, political economy of reforms, business facilitation and regulatory processes, domestic resources mobilisation. • Knowledge of the EU external trade and economic relations and development programmes of the European Commission and European Member States, especially those with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and regions. • Understanding and practical experience of ACP and African economic and governance processes, notably towards reforms for equitable growth and regional integration. • Preparedness, personality and skills to motivate and develop capacities and knowledge with colleagues. • Mature personality committed to non-hierarchical, team-based styles of work involving intercultural partners. There will be some travel, normally in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and/or the Pacific regions. Conditions ECDPM offers a lively and attractive working environment, space for autonomy and personal growth, and ample opportunity for participating in an exciting emerging area of policy development for international development cooperation. Contracted by ECDPM (an initial 36-hour/week ‘probation’ contract of one year, with the intention of a longer term extension upon good performance), the gross annual salary offered ranges between € 36,995 and € 52,568 depending upon amount and relevance of experience and networks, with an additional generous package of leave and other benefits, such as a 8% holiday allowance, admission to a pension fund with an employer contribution, an end-of-the-year allowance and more. ECDPM is an Equal Opportunities employer.
Closing Date	7th January 2011
Contact	Applicants should send the completed vacancy application form to Ms. Karen Gielen, Corporate Assistant Human Resources at kg@ecdpm.org (please mention the full vacancy title in e/m subject). Failure to complete the form correctly and in full may lead to your application not being processed further. The application form can be downloaded from the vacancy page on our website. Moreinformation on ECDPM, its strategy and programmes can be found at www.ecdpm.org/vacancies. When applying please state that you saw the role advertised through Public Affairs Links.
Website	www.ecdpm.org



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