The main goal of the EU Liaison Officer is being the ‘eyes and ears’ in Brussels for Utrecht University and the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht). Besides, you will be our local ambassador in Brussels. The goal is to spark traffic between Brussels and Utrecht and find synergy with our international, national and regional networks. Together with our Researchers, the internal staff from the faculties and UMC Utrecht's EU Liaison Officer, you will open up opportunities in line with the Utrecht University Strategic Plan 2025, the strategy of UMC Utrecht and the internationalisation strategies. This will be achieved by creating and maintaining excellent relations with relevant European institutions and European platforms which are directly or indirectly related to multidisciplinary research topics of Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht: Institutions for Open Societies, Dynamics of Youth, Pathways to Sustainability and Life Sciences. The EU Liaison Officer also seeks to strengthen our strategic relations with leading European universities and contributes visibly to our international profiles.
Responsibilities - representation:

• establish and maintain excellent relations with relevant departments of the EU, as well as relevant Dutch agencies/ministries and international networks and organisations dealing with EU affairs (e.g. Neth-ER, Crowdhelix, RVO);
• proactively participate in high level meetings, workshops and events, which may contribute to the achievement of our strategic goals;
• participate in policy dialogue meetings as an ambassador of Utrecht values: multi-disciplinarity, sustainability and open science. Work on this in close cooperation with colleagues who are involved in our national and regional lobby strategies;
• act as an important link in international (lobby) networks, such as LERU. Participate on behalf of Utrecht in the European University Association (EUA).

Responsibilities - advice:

• being the strategic and tactical Advisor to the UU Executive Board, in particular the Board Member responsible for international and EU affairs;
• responsible for developing a corporate EU strategy within the context of the internationalization strategy, our national/regional lobby agenda and alliances as CHARM-EU and EWUU (TU Eindhoven/Wageningen UR/Utrecht University/UMC Utrecht);
• attend relevant information days, stakeholder meetings, partnering events and social events in Brussels and the Netherlands;
• together with the RSOs provide information and advice to faculty staff on EU matters on an individual basis or in organized information meetings;
• participate in strategic sessions for UU/UMC Utrecht Researchers, Executive Board Members/Directors and key opinion leaders (in Brussels or locally);
• provide relevant news for our website and newsletters (e.g. on newly announced EU programmes).

Responsibilities - coordination:

• coordinate the EU liaison activities within Utrecht University and in close collaboration with UMC Utrecht. Organize and chair regular sessions with the EU Liaison Officers of the Strategic themes;
• coordinate and proactively react to public consultations from the European Commission or other funding bodies in collaboration with the relevant Research Support Offices of our university;
• actively contribute to the international profile of the university in accordance with the internationalisation programme.

The EU Liaison Officer will be appointed at the Research Department of the Academic Affairs’ Office and will work in close cooperation with staff members of the University Corporate Offices, as well as EU Liaison Officers of each Strategic theme, and the Research Support Offices of the faculties and UMC Utrecht, especially staff involved in public affairs and strategic cooperation.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree;
• experience with or proven interest in international/European co-operation and lobbying. Working experience in Brussels is a plus;
• minimum of 5 years’ experience representing an organization in an international setting;
• experience with project or programme management;
• excellent organization sensitivity and a strong sense of diplomacy;
• excellent proficiency in English and a good level of working knowledge of Dutch (and preferably French);
• willingness to travel (typically for short term missions);
• willingness to spend several consecutive days in Brussels.

Skills:

• excellent communication, negotiation and networking skills;
• excellent technical reporting and writing skills in the languages mentioned previously;
• excellent team-worker who enjoys working in an international and multicultural environment, with minimum supervision;
• flexible, with the ability to switch easily between activities and manage different activities simultaneously;
• leadership and strategic thinking, especially in relation to the identification of business opportunities;
• excellent time management skills;
• able to perform under pressure, and manage competing priorities (for example in situation of multiple deadlines).
• preferably sufficient command of Dutch, both written and spoken.

The selected candidate will be appointed for an initial fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of a permanent contract thereafter. The aforementioned initial contract duration may differ in the case of internal candidates from external candidates.

The employment contract (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) is for 32-36 hours. A competitive gross salary (scale 13 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) is offered, depending on previous qualifications and experience. 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.

The University Corporate Offices provide integrated support to the Board of Utrecht University. The eight corporate offices assist the Executive Board in drawing up and implementing the annual executive agenda and the four-yearly Strategic Plan, and in providing support services.

The Student & Academic Affairs Office advises the Executive Board and the faculties on the development and implementation of strategic policies aimed at teaching, research and student affairs. Student & Academic Affairs furthers the University’s ambition to strengthen its international reputation in the fields of teaching and research and to create the preconditions for students to successfully complete their programmes and enjoy an active student life within the academic community.