Eureka is seeking a Programme Management Officer

Eureka is the world’s biggest public network for international cooperation in R&D and innovation. Since 1985, governments and public funding agencies in our network have supported the R&D of over 7,000 ground-breaking commercialised innovations that have positively impacted economic growth and industry competitiveness. With several programmes, our network funds small, medium and large companies, universities and research organisations who undertake international R&D projects for civilian purpose.

The Brussels-based Eureka Secretariat supports the network’s strategic objectives, manages Eureka programme operations, develops and maintains IT platforms, stores data and promotes Eureka to a wide range of stakeholders and beneficiaries.  

One of Eureka’s flagship programmes is the Innovative SME Partnership, co-funded by the European Commission. The funding programme for collaborative international innovation targeted at SMEs called Eurostars, is a main component of the Partnership. Two calls for projects are run each year, resulting in around 600 applications and 100 projects approved for funding in each call.  Programme management is run by the Eureka Secretariat in close cooperation with the national funding agencies and the European Commission.

To support this work, the Eureka Secretariat, based in Brussels (Etterbeek), is looking for 1 full time

Programme Management Officer

The role  involves supporting the evaluation process of the Eurostars  programme that includes preparation of calls for proposals, providing helpdesk support to applicants,  and coordinating  the ranking and selection of projects for funding. The successful applicant will  work within the Eurostars operational team and closely with various stakeholders, including funding agenciesproject applicants, and experts in the relevant field from the Eureka Network.

We are looking for a proactive, self-driven and dynamic professional, interested in and motivated by international collaboration, to join our Eurostars operational team.

Eurostars is the largest international funding programme for SMEs wishing to collaborate on R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation.  

Duties and responsibilities

• Acting as a primary contact point for applicants, participants, experts and the network to guide them through the Eurostars evaluation, monitoring and funding process to ensure timely delivery of milestones and objectives.
• Supporting the evaluation process in all its phases such as receipt of applications, expert selection, remote experts’ evaluation, IEP panel and Ethics Review.
• Following up on projects’ ethical requirements during their project life cycle.
• Proactively following up information exchanges and queries with applicants and national representatives.
• Identifying potential problems and delays as soon as they arise, for proposing potential solutions, and implementing the directed actions.
• Contributing to continuous analysis of programme processes, identifying areas for improvement, implementing changes.
• Performing the role in accordance with the organisation's strategy of quality and risk management.
• Preparing reports, documents and presentations for network and stakeholder meetings, including reports to be submitted to the EC or EISMEA.
• Participating to and presenting the programme at external events.
• Liaising with IT, communication and financial teams within the Eureka Secretariat to ensure that evaluation processes are delivered effectively and according to the deadlines.
• Welcoming new colleagues and assisting in their induction and training.
• Explaining to stakeholders, processes and benefits of the programme as well as project and programme results.

Qualifications and skills

Hard (technical) skills (i.e. specialized knowledge)

• Excellent spoken and written English is essential.
• Excellent practical knowledge of MS Excel or an equivalent.
• At ease with understanding/producing statistical analyses.
• Ability to explain complex ideas in simple terms (written and verbal).

Soft skills (abilities) 

• A positive, flexible and highly motivated team-player, with the ability to work independently, manage tight deadlines and focus on results.
• Ability to cope with the challenge of daily deadlines and changing priorities.
• An exceptional administrator, well organised and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
•  As a member of a multinational team: sensitivity to cultural differences.

 Education and experience

• A level of higher education that corresponds to completed post-secondary education of at least three years attested by a diploma and relevant professional experience of at least one year or a successful six-month internship at Eureka. 
• Preferably a level of higher education corresponding to a Master’s degree within a relevant field.

 What we offer you

• A full-time entry level position with an open-ended contract
• A competitive salary, based on educational level and previous professional experience.
• For candidates without any work experience, if selected, an initial 6-month internship will be offered and turned into a fixed term contract upon satisfactory performance.
• Attractive extra-legal benefits, like working from home, extra-legal vacation days, group and hospitalisation plans, free public transport to commute to the office, meal vouchers, etc.
• An international and dynamic team of roughly 35 employees from 16 different countries
• Eureka strongly lives by the values of trust, transparency, passion, creativity, autonomy, collaboration, work-life balance and diversity across all our teams and our whole network of customers and partners.
• A nice and modern working environment, close to the centre of Brussels and the European quarter and easily reachable by public transport (Merode).

The candidate should be able to start ideally immediately or as soon as possible.  

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the European Union.

Application and closing date

Please send your CV and motivation letter, completing the application form via the online APPLY button at the end of the vacancy page.

By sending an application, candidates give their consent to their diplomas and references being verified.

The Eureka Association is an equal opportunities employer.

Closing date: 02 July 2024, 05.00 pm Brussels time

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only applicants selected for interview will be contacted.

Interviews for this position are indicatively scheduled to occur during the week of July 8th to July 12th.

Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted to arrange specific dates and times.