Director

Position description

COST – European CO-operation in Science and Technology – provides networking opportunities for researchers and innovators to strengthen Europe’s capacity to address scientific, technological and societal challenges. There are three strategic priorities: promoting and spreading excellence, fostering interdisciplinary research for breakthrough science, and empowering and retaining young researchers and innovators. COST implements its mission by funding bottom-up, excellence-driven, open and inclusive networks for peaceful purposes in all areas of science and technology.

The COST Association is an international non-profit association based in Brussels with a membership of 43 European countries. It draws its funding from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, through Specific Grant Agreements signed under the umbrella of a Framework Partnership Agreement with the European Commission.

Position Responsibilities

The Director of the COST Association primary responsibility is to ensure the operational implementation of decisions taken by the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) and the Executive Board (EB) through the management as well as the day-to-day operation and administration of the Association. The Director of the COST Association is accountable to the Executive Board.

This position will involve:

• Operating in accordance with the overall strategies, policies and decisions taken by the CSO and the EB in cooperation with the President and Vice-President of the Association;
• Preparing, organising and following-up the meetings of the Executive Board and the CSO in coordination with the President and Vice-President;
• Ensuring the quality of accounting records and the timely production of reliable financial and management information to the EB and CSO;
• Initiating and maintaining relations of the COST Association with the European Commission and other third parties;
• Preparing the Agreements in relation with the European Commission;
• Implementing the Agreements between the COST Association and the European Commission (or any other organisation) and the corresponding activities including the successful implementation of the funding scheme(s) applicable to COST Actions: smooth implementation, contributing to the preparation of proposals, grant agreements, amendments, reports, continuous monitoring duties, etc.;
• Preparing and signing the Agreements with institutions benefitting from COST financial support;
• Being responsible for the implementation and development of internal policies and procedures;
• Being responsible for the respect of the rules and procedures applicable to COST Association activities;
• Preparing and executing the work and budget financial plan of the Association;
• Ensuring the appropriate use of the financial resources at the disposal of the Association through prudent and sound financial management, within the limits of the delegation of authority received by the EB;
• Signing contracts with external contractors;
• Being responsible and managing the personnel of the Association in a professional manner, including recruitment and dismissal in a close coordination with EB;
• Creating positive working atmosphere and sense of mutual trust among the staff members in COST administration;
• Providing support to other COST actors such as the COST National Coordinators (CNC) and the Scientific Committee, possible EB Tasks Forces, CSO Working Groups, Committees for advisory purposes, Expert Groups, etc.;
• Fulfilling other responsibilities and tasks as necessary for the good organisation of the Association.

Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Ph.D. or equivalent research experience;
• At least 10- years’ experience in research management and/or science policy preferably gained part in a European setting. At least 5 years proven experience in leadership positions;
• In-depth knowledge of EU R&I policy, European and national research systems, EU institutions, and European and international science policy making;
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the COST mission, objectives and activities;
• Experience in supporting high-level governance and/or executive boards;
• Extensive experience in staff management;
• Have proven finance, communications, IT skills;
• Good knowledge of relevant legal, financial, social regulations;
• Excellent standard of spoken and written English, good knowledge of French or Dutch, another European language being an advantage;
• Knowledge of the Belgian laws and legislations is an asset;
• A working experience of at least 3 years in the private sector is an asset.

SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

• Capacity to define and manage an effective internal organisation and optimise resources complying with strategic priorities and implementation needs;
• Ability to steer and manage organisational change;
• Ability to facilitate change by stimulating the COST Association to promote constructive changes and to constantly improve best practices;
• Demonstrable leadership skills to gain staff support, motivate and develop a multidisciplinary team in a European, multicultural and multilingual context;
• Aptitude to encourage the commitment of internal and external stakeholders and to create cross-functional and collaborative working relations;
• Capacity to represent COST convincingly.

OTHER COMPETENCIES:

• Service-oriented attitude with strong sense of purpose and drive to make a meaningful contribution to the COST mission;
• Proven capacity to deliver on allocated tasks, responding in a timely manner to deadlines;
• Excellent communication skills across cultural and scientific boundaries, showing discretion, integrity and diplomacy;
• Strong interpersonal and internal communication skills within a multi-national context and convincing public speaking skills;
• Positive and constructive attitude in an evolving environment;
• Excellent analytical and mediating skills;
• Ability to lead and motivate;
• Good, practical working knowledge of MS Office systems (especially MS Word, Access, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and of electronic databases and Web sites.

Application instructions

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