The YUFE Project Coordinator is a staff member of the YUFE Management Office led by the YUFE Executive Director and hosted by Maastricht University (UM). The YUFE Management Office is responsible for the day-to-day management of the YUFE alliance, supporting the development and implementation of its strategy and interaction with internal and external key stakeholders.

The YUFE Project Coordinator coordinates the implementation of the European Universities Initiative pilot project funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Programme in close cooperation with the entire YUFE MO team, the YUFE Institutional Coordinators, as well as with the leaders of the eight Work Packages. Moreover, the YUFE project Coordinator initiates yearly planning of the implementation, monitors progress and is responsible for the collection of information and data for the project reporting activities.

Overall, the YUFE Project Coordinator ensures an alliance-wide effective development, implementation and execution of the YUFE activities of the eight YUFE Work Packages.

Specifically, the YUFE Project Coordinator:         

• Acts as a central daily operational point of contact for the YUFE Work Package Leads/Coordinators;
• Acts as secretary of the YUFE Project Management Board, which includes the YUFE Director, the YUFE Institutional Coordinators and all YUFE WP Leaders;
• Coordinates the monitoring and evaluation process of the implementation of the YUFE Work Packages;
• Regularly drafts and disseminates project documentation and reporting, based on deliverables from the partner universities and also producing deliverables for external stakeholders;
• Regularly updates the YUFE Director on the state of activities, emerging opportunities as well as challenges, within and outside of the YUFE Alliance
• Prepares content for (key) YUFE meetings such as those of the YUFE Strategy Board, the YUFE Project-Management Team and the annual YUFE Town hall;
• Support the YUFE Executive Director in the budget administration and reporting, in close collaboration with other relevant departments/partners;
• Exchanges and aligns regularly with the project coordinators of the additional projects (YUFERING, DIOSI, Inno4YUFE) that have been added to the Alliance’s portfolio to support the development of all dimensions of the YUFE European University;
• Contributes to managing relationships and communication with the relevant Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative authority at the European Commission, particularly with the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA);
• Maintains an effective network with counterparts at EU institutions, national representations and other Brussels-based organizations.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, diplomatic and goal-oriented individual with a hands-on mentality who is not afraid of going the extra mile. We are looking for a motivated self-starter equipped with excellent management and communication skills, able to effectively carry out the coordinating tasks within the YUFE Management Office. The successful candidate has:

• A relevant academic qualification (MA degree or equivalent) or equivalent professional experience in international project management/coordinator position;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Affinity with Higher Education in an international setting and awareness of current developments in European Higher Education;
• The ability to coordinate intercultural and interdisciplinary teams including academic, non-academic staff, students and stakeholders from other sectors;
• An open and an inclusive approach to cooperation that allows them to foster the YUFE (team) spirit across different (institutional) cultures;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills in English and at least one other European language;
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities;
• The ability to develop into an inspiring role-model for their colleagues and students;
• Ability to work in a small team and equipped with the required flexibility to support a wide range of activities.

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

• 1.0 FTE
• UFO function profile Project leader, salary scale 10 CAO-NU (€ 2.836,00 - € 3.950,00 on a full-time basis)
• Competitive salary based on experience
• A dynamic and motivating workplace with possibilities to further develop yourself and pursue your ambitions
• Starting date: as soon as possible
• The post entails frequent travel within Europe to attend YUFE meetings and visit partner institutions together with the YUFE Director

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 www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 20,000 students and 4,700 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.

The YUFE Alliance (https://yufe.eu)

The Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) is the top-scoring European University alliance, selected in 2019 by the European Commission to develop and implement one of the first models of a European University. The YUFE Alliance is bringing a radical change by becoming the leading model of a student-centered, non-elitist, open and inclusive European University based on the cooperation between higher education institutions, public and private sector, and citizens.

In the past two years, the YUFE Alliance has started to build the foundations for its European University, and has developed pilots of truly European study programmes, enhancing European career perspectives for staff, and contributing to solving important European regional challenges. In doing so, the YUFE European University is pursuing its vision of strengthening European collective identity and contributing to a more cohesive European society.

In the coming years, the YUFE alliance will continue to 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 Rijeka