There is a need for (further) development of the CFIA communication / policy engagement strategy and to ensure it supports CFIA objectives, and is at sync with the LDE goals (https://www.leiden-delft-erasmus.nl/nl/home). More frequent and better tailored communication ‘products’ are key. In this context:

For CFIA it is especially of importance to focus on relationship building with decision-makers within business, governments and civil society. This can be for instance through collaborative research projects in which policymakers are involved in the research process, or for CFIA (hubs) to participate in local policy processes by generating evidence-based knowledge that can be disseminated through policy briefs and seminars. You will play a pivotal role in this process that will help shape research and research outputs and the ways these are disseminated. This will encompass producing research summaries that can be read by non-academics, writing web copy, using social media, and organizing events.

You will work closely with a wide range of colleagues from the Universities in Leiden – Delft – Erasmus, including researchers and professional support staff. You will work closely with colleagues at ISS-EUR where CFIA is ‘hosted’ (communications and marketing department, science communicator at the project office) but also with staff at other faculties active in CFIA. The science communicator at ISS also will provide support to CFIA which makes good cooperation of pivotal importance.

You will combine excellent interpersonal and communications skills with an understanding of the role that research has to play in informing debates and policy issues relating to global development challenges.

Selective funding is available to commission particular tasks. Together with the executive manager you will take the lead in ‘managing’ such external assignments that are part of the communications portfolio at CFIA.

Key responsibilities

• Further development of the CFIA communications / engagement strategy
• Take part and often lead development of CFIA internal and external communication ‘tools’ and ‘products’ (operationalization of the strategy, e.g. website, social media, brochures, briefings)
• Broker CFIA academic knowledge by making this knowledge available and accessible for the relevant audiences including policymakers
• Facilitate and ensure knowledge exchange between researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders in the Netherlands and abroad, including planning of events
• Support researchers in policy engagement and research communication
• Commission, write and edit content including blogs, publications and news stories
• Manage social media platforms and activity

• An MA/MSc in a for CFIA relevant discipline with a strong background and interest in (research) communication
• Proven capacity to engage with academia, policymakers, civil-society and other relevant stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong all-round communication skills, including writing and editing
• Ability to summarise complex research information in clear non-specialist language
• Ability to identify engagement opportunities and mobilize relevant resources to capitalize on them
• Ability to analyse and make use of various communication strategies including website and social media
• Be fluent in Dutch and English (speaking, reading, writing)
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of / experience in working with graphic design, e.g. Adobe programs such as Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator is a plus

The start date of this position is as soon as possible and you will be based at ISS in The Hague. The successful candidate will initially be offered a 0,6 FTE one-year contract with Erasmus University Rotterdam. The contract can be extended in case of a positive assessment.

In accordance with the conditions applied at Erasmus University Rotterdam as indicated in the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO NU) of the Dutch universities, the salary is dependent on the candidate’s experience and is set at CAO NU scale 11 with a minimum of  € 3637,- and a maximum of € 4978,- gross per month, on a fulltime basis. In addition, EUR pays an 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year payment of 8.3% and offers excellent secondary benefits.

The International Institute of Social Studies is committed to building and sustaining a community based on inclusiveness, equity and diversity and believes this will contribute to our mission and vision of being the best institute in our field. ISS is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities and nationalities. Given the current composition of the ISS academic staff and priorities relating to staff diversity, the Institute has a preference for applicants originating from the Global South and also encourages applications from minority candidates.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is a research university with a strong international orientation and a pronounced social focus, both in its education and research activities. The expertise of Erasmus University Rotterdam is concentrated on the disciplines Economics, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, Social Sciences, History and Arts, Business Administration, Philosophy and Development Studies. In addition to the initial degree programmes and scientific research, the University offers specific postgraduate study programmes and courses. Erasmus University has around 25,000 students and approximately 2,800 staff members of more than 100 nationalities.

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is a leading academic centre for international development studies. While based in The Hague, the ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. ISS was established in 1952 as a post-graduate institute of policy-oriented critical social science and development oriented research. ISS offers a PhD in Development Studies, a 15,5 months MA in Development Studies, a joint MA in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP), a MPA in Governance delivered in Suriname, and several post-graduate Diploma courses.
ISS brings together a highly diverse international community of scholars and students from both the global South and the global North, usually originating from over 50 different countries. The Institute brings together people, ideas and insights in a multi-disciplinary setting which nurtures, fosters and promotes critical thinking and conducts innovative research into fundamental social problems. The strong partnerships with organizations and individuals in developing countries make up a network where we co-create knowledge so that teaching and research remain socially relevant. Key to the ISS philosophy and practices is the wish to make a contribution to achieving social justice and equity on a global level.

Centre for Frugal Innovation in Africa

The Centre for Frugal Innovation in Africa was founded in 2013 as one of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus (LDE) centres as part of the strategic alliance between Leiden University, Delft University of Technology, and Erasmus University Rotterdam. Through innovative and outstanding teaching and research, CFIA seeks to contribute towards understanding and solving some of the complex issues of our time with a focus on frugal innovation. For more information on CFIA please visit the website via www.cfia.nl/home

 Support team of CFIA

The Secretariat / support team of CFIA is located within the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam, and provides support to the CFIA management team and to academic staff at the three universities that cooperate within CFIA. CFIA is led by Professor Dr. Peter Knorringa (director) of EUR and based at ISS, together with Prof. Dr. Cees van Beers of Delft University of Technology, and Dr. Andre Leliveld of Leiden University. Support staff report to Mr. David Wubs-Mrozewicz as executive manager of CFIA. In the next months the CFIA ‘network’ will be extended with the establishment of hubs in Kenya, India and possibly South-Africa.