Euroseeds (www.euroseeds.eu) is inviting applications for the position of a Manager, Research Policy and Project Coordination
to join the Euroseeds General Secretariat team in Brussels, Belgium.

About Euroseeds

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector, representing the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. With more than 70 direct company members, including from seed related industries, and 37 national member associations from EU Members States and beyond, we represent several thousand seed businesses, from family-owned SMEs to global corporations.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat is based in Brussels, Belgium, and currently consists of 14 employees of 9 different nationalities and a broad and diverse set of educational backgrounds, work experiences and skillsets.

What unites us is a shared passion to support a thriving European agri-food chain through plant breeding innovations and quality seed.

Background

Research and innovation (R&I) in the plant breeding and seed sector in Europe is fundamental for the development and market release of improved, competitive plant varieties. Companies continuously need to meet the challenging and ever-evolving needs of farmers and other agri-food value chain operators as well as consumer preferences and policy objectives. Plant breeders therefore must well anticipate future food demands and agronomic challenges to predict what products will be required in the next decade and beyond. Out of the approximately 52.000 people the private seed sector employs in Europe, more than a quarter is dedicated to such research and innovation activities in about 750 R&D stations across the continent.

Appropriate political, regulatory and financial framework conditions are essential aspects for R&D processes to support the development of improved, competitive plant varieties. Since 2018, Euroseeds has been involved as partner in numerous EU-funded research and innovation projects, providing private seed sector expertise and working together with relevant stakeholders from academia and beyond on defined EU policy priorities. Besides contributing technical expertise, Euroseeds usually also plays a key role in the communication, dissemination, and exploitation or innovation transfer of project results with the aim to build partnerships, to help translating results into concrete actions, and to co-create recommendations and solutions for the future.

Job description

The “Manager Research Policy and Project Coordination” will work closely with the Euroseeds membership and, as member of the Secretariat’s Research and Innovation Coordination Group, under the guidance of Coordinator and Secretary General to whom the Manager will report.

The Manager represents Euroseeds on all relevant matters towards the responsible EU institutions, specifically the EU Commission (DG AGRI, DG RTD) and the European Parliament (COMITRE), and shall be the spokesperson of the EU seed sector on the related subjects and assure multiplication of European activities at national and international level as required.

The Manager shall, in collaboration with Euroseeds Members, dedicated bodies and team, develop Euroseeds’ strategic research agenda, monitor EU-level project and funding opportunities, and be responsible for the coordination of Euroseeds Secretariat’s involvement in EU-funded projects, specifically as regards reporting and other obligations assigned to Euroseeds as member of respective consortia, including administration.

The Manager will also be responsible for the support, animation and management of Euroseeds’ Committee Research Policy and other related Working Groups. Further tasks may be assigned in line with the association’s needs and individual expertise and experience. Within the General Secretariat, the Manager will collaborate closely with the colleagues of its R&I Coordination Group. The Manager will also foster contact and collaboration with the European Technology Platform ‘Plants for the Future’ as well as other relevant R&D platforms and organisations.

Euroseeds welcomes applications of experienced professionals with proven track record in the relevant fields, project management experience and a respective academic background. Specific additional training on individual aspects may be provided. The position is based at the association’s office in Brussels, Belgium, but requires regular travel in Europe.

Specific tasks

• Monitoring of EU Research and Innovation related policies, incl. regular contact with relevant EU Commission and Parliament services
• Specific responsibility for the continuous monitoring of relevant EU research programmes (Horizon Europe et al.) and respective project calls, information of Euroseeds Members and animation for their involvement in concrete proposals
• Development of strategic research policy agenda and possible project proposals from Euroseeds to the EU Commission
• Representing Euroseeds in relevant EU and other bodies
• Management and animation of Euroseeds Committee Research Policy, including preparation of meetings, minuting and follow-up
• Coordinate management & administration of the different EU-funded multi-actor projects that Euroseeds is involved in and follow up developments as well as deliverable deadlines
• Collaboration with European Technology Platform “Plants for the Future” and other relevant R&I organisations and platforms

Qualifications

• University degree (Master level) education in a relevant field (plant sciences)
• Proven practical experience and understanding of managing R&I projects, ideally including administrative and reporting elements required in EU-funded projects
• Familiarity with the EU’s institutional framework, principal policy making processes, ideally also with knowledge of dedicated EU R&I funding opportunities
• Able to explain technical issues to laymen but also to communicate with authority to experts
• Very strong written and spoken EN (working language); other languages considered an asset
• Computer literate

Personality and skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, service oriented, collegial
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Tactful in dealing with people, also under pressure
• Discretion, good judgment ability, flexibility and versatility
• Team player with pro-active initiative and ability to work independently

Application

Interested, qualified candidates should send their CV and motivation letter, including an indication of their salary expectations, to:
secretariat@euroseeds.eu  with the reference “Manager Research”.

Process
Application deadline: 31.01.2025

First selection round (online): between 6. and 14. February 2025

Second selection round (Brussels) with oral interview and written tasks: between 20. and 28. February

Starting date: earliest possible date