The YUFE Junior Policy Advisor is a core member of the YUFE Management Team, led by the YUFE Director Dr. Daniela Trani. The YUFE Management Team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the YUFE alliance, the preparation of its strategy, and interaction with internal and external key stakeholders.

As the YUFE Junior Policy Advisor, you support the YUFE Director in the implementation of the YUFE strategy by providing advice about European developments relevant to YUFE, preparing policy documents, reports, assisting with the content preparation of meetings, and with other general administrative tasks.

Specifically, the YUFE Junior Policy Advisor:              

• Provides policy advice throughout the following areas:
  • The European Universities Initiative;
  • European higher education, research, and innovation policy (incl. Horizon Europe, Erasmus+);
  • EU inter-institutional relations and (major) initiatives of relevance to YUFE.
• Assists in the content preparation of key YUFE meetings, such as those of the YUFE Strategy Board, the YUFE Project-Management Team, and the annual YUFE Town hall;
• Supports the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of YUFE policies and program activities;
• Maintains and supports a professional network with counterparts at EU institutions, national representatives and other Brussels-based European organisations.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate is an outstanding individual with a hands-on mentality. He/she is a motivated self-starter that possesses excellent social and communication skills, and a keen interest for higher education and research policy. The successful candidate possesses:

• A relevant academic qualification (Master’s degree or equivalent);
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to integrate/compile/collate information and communicate it clearly using a broad range of formats, tools, and platforms;
• Strong skills in data collection and analysis, and in elaborating evidenced based reports;
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with a demonstrable ability to work under pressure and set priorities;
• Ability to work in an intercultural and interdisciplinary team;
• Affinity with Higher Education in an international setting, either through work and/or internship experience;
• Ability to work in a small team and equipped with the required flexibility to support a wide range of activities;
• Open to travelling when necessary, perhaps at short notice;
• Awareness of current developments in national and European Higher Education and Research & Innovation policy will be an asset;
• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills in English and at least one other European language (preferably Dutch).

Fixed-term contract: 1 year with the possibility for an extension of up to 3 years, based on a good assessment.

What do we offer?

• 0.8 FTE;
• UFO function profile Policy Officer, salary scale 9 CAO-NU, this implies a minimum salary of € 2.835,00 and a maximum of     € 3.895,00 gross per month for a full-time appointment;
• Competitive salary based on experience;
• A dynamic and motivating workplace with possibilities to further develop your career;
• The opportunity to travel within Europe to attend YUFE meetings on (at least) a monthly basis – travel costs are reimbursed pursuant to the UM regulations;
• Starting date as soon as possible. 

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO).

Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/support/um-employees

Maastricht University

Based in Europe, focused on the world. Maastricht University (UM) is a stimulating environment where research and teaching are complementary. UM has around 18,000 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, 53% of students and 42% of academic staff are from abroad. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. UM is renowned for its unique and innovative problem-based learning system, characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Therefore, we are recognized as one of the best young universities in the world, placed #10 in the Times Higher Education’s (THE) Young Universities Ranking 2019.

YUFE

The Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) is the top-scoring European University alliance, selected by the European Commission to develop and implement the first true student-centered, open, and inclusive European University. The YUFE alliance is composed of eight young universities as full partners (1) and six associated partners (2) from the academic, non-governmental and private sector. Together, they hope to initiate a radical change by becoming the leading model of a student-centered, non-elitist, open, and inclusive European University. This will center on cooperation between higher education institutions, the public and private sector, and citizens.

In the coming three years, the YUFE alliance will build the foundation for its European University, and will develop truly European study programmes for students, enhance European career perspectives for staff, and contribute to solving important European regional challenges. In doing so, the YUFE European University will pursue its vision of strengthening European collective identity and contributing to a more cohesive European society.

(1)       Maastricht University (coordinator), Carlos III University of Madrid, University of Antwerpen, University of Bremen, University of Cyprus, University of Eastern Finland, University of Essex, University of Rome Tor Vergata.

(2)       European Entrepreneurs CMA-PME, Kiron Open Higher Education, Nicolaus Copernicus University of Torún, Adecco group France, ETS Global, University of Rijek.

For more information about YUFE, please visit: https://www.yufe.eu/