Job announcement for the function of
Junior Policy Officer
in the Economic Transformation and Trade Programm
ECDPM - European Centre for Development Policy Management
Maastricht, Netherlands
The European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) in Maastricht, The Netherlands, is looking for an entrepreneurial professional to contribute to the Centre’s dialogue, networking, policy research and capacity development activities.Position description
The right candidate will have an economic degree with some experience and knowledge relating to economic transformation, industrialisation and reform processes in Africa, especially taking a private sector perspectiveand understanding its role in promoting inclusive growth for sustainable development. Awareness of novel approaches to financing development, particularly relating to private financing and domestic resource mobilisation initiatives would be greatly valued. The candidate will have to demonstrate an interest and ability to facilitate and engage in policy processes and pragmatic analysis and to operate as a team player in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
The Junior Policy Officer will actively contribute to the practical analysis and the execution of other activities of the centre’s Economic Transformation and Trade Programme.
Language requirements: Fluent in English (speaking and writing), and preferably in French as well.
The Junior Policy Officer will actively contribute to the practical analysis and the execution of other activities of the centre’s Economic Transformation and Trade Programme.
Language requirements: Fluent in English (speaking and writing), and preferably in French as well.
ECDPM activities
ECDPM is a “think and do tank”. Our main goal is to broker effective partnerships between the European Union and the developing world, especially Africa. ECDPM promotes inclusive forms of development and cooperates with public and private sector organisations to better manage international relations. It also supports the reform of policies and institutions in both Europe and the developing world. One of ECDPM’s key strengths is its extensive network of relations in developing countries, including emerging economies. Its partners embrace multilateral institutions, international centres of excellence and a broad range of state and non-state organisations. ECDPM was established in 1986 as an independent foundation. www.ecdpm.org
ECDPM’s Economic Transformation and Trade Programme overall aim is to facilitate and inform a process of change and economic reforms in the countries and regions of Africa, as well as in the Caribbean, the Pacific, favouring an economic transformation, industrialisation, integration and financing agenda as set down by African actors themselves, with an emphasis on economic governance and political economy dynamics for sustainable and equitable growth. The programme seeks to contribute to a more inclusive, better informed policy dialogue between the public and private sector on economic transformation dynamics at the local, national, regional, continental and international levels. Our work is centred on the triangular relations between developing countries, their partner countries and the private sector in fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. It is articulated around the key issues of trade and regional integration, private sector for development, extractive resources and linkages, innovative financing for development and domestic resource mobilisation, and Africa’s partners. This includes paying greater attention to industrialisation processes, notably through sectoral linkages and value addition, harnessing natural resources and integration into regional and global value chains, with appropriate trade policies and infrastructure development, in a sustainable, equitable and accountable manner. We put great emphasis on the governance and political economy of reforms, including public-private relations and financing instruments, accountability and legitimacy.
ECDPM’s Economic Transformation and Trade Programme overall aim is to facilitate and inform a process of change and economic reforms in the countries and regions of Africa, as well as in the Caribbean, the Pacific, favouring an economic transformation, industrialisation, integration and financing agenda as set down by African actors themselves, with an emphasis on economic governance and political economy dynamics for sustainable and equitable growth. The programme seeks to contribute to a more inclusive, better informed policy dialogue between the public and private sector on economic transformation dynamics at the local, national, regional, continental and international levels. Our work is centred on the triangular relations between developing countries, their partner countries and the private sector in fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. It is articulated around the key issues of trade and regional integration, private sector for development, extractive resources and linkages, innovative financing for development and domestic resource mobilisation, and Africa’s partners. This includes paying greater attention to industrialisation processes, notably through sectoral linkages and value addition, harnessing natural resources and integration into regional and global value chains, with appropriate trade policies and infrastructure development, in a sustainable, equitable and accountable manner. We put great emphasis on the governance and political economy of reforms, including public-private relations and financing instruments, accountability and legitimacy.
Job description
The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to the work of ECDPM’s Economic Transformation and Trade Programme, including on private sector for development, global/regional value chains, employment for inclusive growth, extractive sectors and financing for development projects, with a geographical focus on Africa and Europe.
She/he will be required to:
She/he will be required to:
- Strongly contribute to the work of the Centre on economic transformation and trade through the conduct of targeted pieces of mainly desk research, writing and contribution to ECDPM’s different newsletters and blogs;
- Attend relevant events;
- Contribute to outreach activities in order to increase the visibility of ECDPM’s work on economic transformation, trade and regional integration;
- Support the conceptualisation and organisation of events related to economic transformation;
- Attend ECDPM internal meetings as a part of the team and make inputs to these as appropriate.
Required competencies and experience
- Masters degree in Economics or Finance;
- Familiarity with and keen interest in development issues, and particularly private sector contribution to sustainable and inclusive development and private finance; good understanding of the EU’s relations with Africa and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States is an advantage;
- Willingness to carry out detailed research and to develop a solid understanding of related issues;
- Good writing, editing, analytical and synthesis skills, including the ability to structure arguments and present options to policy makers in a non-partisan way (stakeholder focus);
- Good communication skills, including social media;
- Excellent command of English and preferably also French (speaking and writing);
- Good organizational skills, commitment to quality and team spirit and ability to work under pressure, tight time constraint and conflicting demands;
- Ability to operate as a team player in a multi-cultural environment;
- Entrepreneurial attitude.
The Junior Policy Officer is a full team member of the programme and reports to the Head of Programme, the Deputy Head of Programme or another member of ECDPM Programme Management depending on specific projects. Taking into account specific personal qualities and experience, and in accordance with the needs of the ECDPM’s other programmes, other activities may be assigned to her or his portfolio as well, notably in the context of the Africa’s development agenda.
Conditions
ECDPM will appoint the JPO position at a point on the gross annual salary € 34,477.47 and € 38,541.34 dependent on relevant experience.
ECDPM offers a lively and attractive working environment, space for autonomy and personal growth, and ample opportunity for participating in exciting areas of policy development for international cooperation. This post is based in the Maastricht office of ECDPM.
The appointment provides a generous package of leave (9+ weeks on annual fulltime basis) and other benefits such as pension scheme and training budget.
Applicants should fill in the application form that can be found on www.ecdpm.org, under vacancies. Applications should be submitted electronically to the email address kg@ecdpm.org, to the attn. of Mrs. Karen Gielen, Corporate Officer Human Resources as soon as possible (deadline 14 June 2015). Please enter: “Application for JPO: Economic Transformation” in the subject line. Applications without an application form (i.e. just a CV) and three sample writings will not be taken into consideration.
More information on ECDPM, its strategy and programmes can be found at www.ecdpm.org.
ECDPM offers a lively and attractive working environment, space for autonomy and personal growth, and ample opportunity for participating in exciting areas of policy development for international cooperation. This post is based in the Maastricht office of ECDPM.
The appointment provides a generous package of leave (9+ weeks on annual fulltime basis) and other benefits such as pension scheme and training budget.
Applicants should fill in the application form that can be found on www.ecdpm.org, under vacancies. Applications should be submitted electronically to the email address kg@ecdpm.org, to the attn. of Mrs. Karen Gielen, Corporate Officer Human Resources as soon as possible (deadline 14 June 2015). Please enter: “Application for JPO: Economic Transformation” in the subject line. Applications without an application form (i.e. just a CV) and three sample writings will not be taken into consideration.
More information on ECDPM, its strategy and programmes can be found at www.ecdpm.org.
