BIODIVERSITY GENOMICS EUROPE (BGE) PROJECT

Naturalis coordinates the BGE project. BGE is a 21-million Horizon Europe collaborative project, starting 1 September 2022. The project duration is 42 months. BGE aims at accelerating the use of genomic data for species discovery and biodiversity conservation. The consortium consists of 33 partners. We are looking for an experienced EU project manager for this very aspirational European project.  

Position

The project manager works jointly with the project coordinator to ensure the implementation of the work programme across the consortium. He/she works in close collaboration with other beneficiaries, partners, and boards. Furthermore, the project manager regularly engages with the EU project officer and financial officer, with partner organisations, officials in the research area. The project manager will provide top-level management of the project with regards to all communication, organisational, administrative, logistics, contractual and financial matters. The project manager will be supported by a project administrator throughout the duration of the project.

The main tasks and responsibilities are: 

• Manage and monitor implementation of the Grant agreement with the European Commission and Consortium Agreements among the BGE consortium members;
• Manage the financial, administrative and contractual issues relating to the program according to the budget as determined by the EU and the BGE executive board; 
• Take care of the day-to-day management of the project, and where necessary, consult with the programme director; 
• Monitor the progress of milestones and deliverables of the project, and ensure timely delivery of project output;
• Co-organise project meetings; coordinate Naturalis internal BGE meetings;
• Act as a contact point for Project External Advisory Board; 
• Act as interface between EU, project director, project executive board, as well as Naturalis internal point of contact; 
• Liaise with the EU, the media and the public concerning BGE activities or output and represent the consortium at international meetings.

Within Naturalis the project manager will be working within the ISBI (International Collaboration on Biodiversity Infrastructures) Department and directly report to the head of the Department. 

• 3-5 years work experience in (EU-funded) project management;
• Extensive experience with the management and implementation of EU contracts and grants in complex organisations, including proposal submissions and reporting;
• Exceptional organisational and planning skills with the ability to coordinate information and processes involving multiple people/teams;
• Ability to manage a complex and, at times, heavy workload, to multi-task and take initiative;
• Be able to direct the work of senior professionals across multiple countries;
• Good interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels within the organisation, listen to and influence others;
• Excellent English skills, both written and verbal proficiency at a native level, a good knowledge of Dutch is considered an advantage;
• Experience of writing for different audiences and purposes, including funding proposals, and presenting information clearly;
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and appreciation;
• Familiarity with EU policy development in the area of higher education, research and innovation;
• Proactive, self-motivated and result oriented, takes initiative and has the ability to solve problems independently;
• A post-graduate level degree.

As the job involves travel to research and event sites, the project manager should be able and willing to spend time abroad when needed to attend project meetings. 

You will be positioned in Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, the Netherlands in the Department for International Biodiversity Infrastructures and report to the head of the Department. We offer a one year contract, which can be extended pending performance evaluation. 

As an employee of Naturalis the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Museums will be applicable to you. All our employees are incorporated into a pension fund. Naturalis Biodiversity Center promotes gender equality and wants to enhance the diversity of staff members. We offer a gross salary of max € 4.622,- a month (scale 11 of the Collective Labour Agreement) and an additional 8% holiday allowance and 3,40% end-of-year bonus. Incoming international employees could benefit (depending on conditions and tax regulations) from significant government tax relief (30% ruling) for a set number of years.