The Earth System Governance Project, hosted at the Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University, has opened up a position for a Managing Director. The role offers a unique opportunity to work with leading research groups and projects in earth system governance research all over the world.
The Earth System Governance Project is a global network for collaborative research on the governance dimensions of global environmental change and earth system transformations. While the Earth System Governance Project is first and foremost a research based network, it also engages in global collaboration in teaching, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.

Over the last decade, the Earth System Governance Project has grown into the largest global network of institutions and researchers in the field. It builds on a vibrant global community of hundreds of affiliated researchers, a series of annual open science conferences, a Global Alliance of Earth System Governance Research Centres, a global cluster of taskforces, associated projects and numerous smaller activities, and a network of affiliated publication series. 

The International Project Office is the focal point for management and administration, as well as for the communication and network development efforts of the Earth System Governance Project. Utrecht University has been hosting the office since 1 January 2019 with financial and in-kind support by the Faculty of Geosciences, the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, and the Utrecht University Strategic Programmes 'Pathways to Sustainability' and 'Institutions for Open Societies'.

The Managing Director will lead the Earth System Governance International Project Office. He or she will formally report, for scientific matters, to the chair in Global Sustainability Governance at the Copernicus Institute, and for administrative matters to the head of the Research Support Office at the Faculty of Geosciences. On a day-to-day basis, the Managing Director will work closely with, and under direct guidance by, representatives of the Scientific Steering Committee of the Earth System Governance Project.

Tasks (approx. percentage of time for each task in brackets):

Management of International Project Office (20%);

• leading all operations of the International Project Office at the Faculty of Geosciences of Utrecht University;
• supervising the Network Coordinator and Administrative Assistant in the International Project Office;
• supervising a possible future part-time Communication Officer in the International Project Office, and all other staff that might be affiliated with the office in the future, including interns.

Fundraising (10%)

• identifying relevant funding opportunities; 
• coordination of proposal development;
• and leading the substantive writing of funding proposals.

Research Centres, Taskforces, Affiliated Projects and Researchers (30%)

• acting as a focal point and liaison for the Global Alliance of Earth System Governance Research Centres;
• supporting of and reporting on activities by the Research Centres;
• developing and facilitating joint activities between the Research Centres and supporting the emergence of new Research Centres;
• acting as focal point and liaison for the Earth System Governance Taskforces and Affiliated Projects;
• supporting of and reporting on activities by the Taskforces and Affiliated Projects;
• facilitating activities of the Taskforces and supporting the emergence of new Taskforces;
• engaging with leading scholars from the network, especially the Project’s Lead Faculty;
• representing the Earth System Governance Project at conferences, workshops, and other academic events.

International Conference Support (10%)
Supporting the organization of the annual Earth System Governance conference.

International Educational Development (10%)

• supporting ongoing activities related to teaching and capacity building related to the Earth System Governance Project;
• developing new activities related to teaching and capacity building, including online platforms and innovative teaching formats.

Networking and capacity building within Utrecht University (20%)

• initiating and supporting network activities at Utrecht University in the field of earth system governance, including cross faculty cooperation and exchange;
• supporting with IPO staff the Earth System Governance speaker series at Utrecht University;
• supporting the visibility of the IPO and the Earth System Governance Project within Utrecht University, and supporting activities that increase the benefit of the network for members and students of Utrecht University.

Please note that some tasks include the support of the Network Manager.

Essential requirements:

• a PhD or an outstanding MA or MSc degree in a relevant academic social science discipline;
• experience with science management in an academic context, and knowledge of the national and international research landscape;
• experience with the administration and management of financial budgets and other resources in a professional – preferably research or educational – context;
• the ability to work independently and multi-task with shifting priorities and tight deadlines; 
• good (academic) communication and presentation skills;
• excellent English language skills, especially in writing;
• the willingness to travel internationally (in and outside of Europe) 3-5 times per year.

Beneficial requirements:

• experience with the Earth System Governance Project and its community;
• an educational background in more than one relevant discipline, or in relevant interdisciplinary studies;
• any additional language. Dutch language skills are not required.

We offer a position (1.0 FTE) for one year. In case of good performance, extending the employment with one more year is a possibility. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €3,637 and €4,978 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including human's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The International Project Office has its physical location at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. The Copernicus Institute has been evaluated in a 2014 international review as the highest ranked Research Institute in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences in the Netherlands. Since then, the Institute has intensified its efforts in maintaining its leading position, among others by investing in numerous new international faculty appointments and by developing new, internationally oriented teaching programmes.

Organisationally the International Project Office is embedded in the Research Support Office of the Faculty of Geoscience.