Junior Programme Manager Education - EU Projects

EIT Food

Leuven, Belgium

ABOUT EIT FOOD

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted by consumers. Established by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in 2017, EIT Food is a fast-growing partnership organisation focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation in the food sector.

EIT Food is a member organisation bringing together key industry players, agri-food startups, research centres and universities from across Europe representing the food value chain in Europe. In addition to thematic leadership, EIT Food is also responsible for coordinating a multi-million euro EU grant allocation from the EIT and distributing it among its partners and stakeholders for the implementation of projects.

EIT Food headquarters (HQ) are based in Leuven (Belgium) and it has 5 regional offices (Co-Location Centres or CLCs) in Europe (based in Poland, Spain, Germany, the UK and Belgium), each working with and for partners in several EIT Food partner countries.

Visit our website: https://www.eitfood.eu.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The primary responsibility for the Junior Programme Manager for Education’s EU projects is to manage and execute non-EIT Food funded actions, such as projects funded by the European Union including Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ related to food education and innovation. The focus is on enabling the projects' strategic objectives, developing project activities, and working closely with EIT Food and partners to pursue upcoming strategic EU opportunities. You will be expected to have a strong impact mindset and the ability to drive measurable outcomes that align with the goals of the projects and EIT Food's mission.

You will report to the EIT Food Director of Education, and have strong working relationships with the Senior Programme Manager for EU projects and the Junior Programme Manager Education – EU projects. Moreover, you will work collaboratively with individuals within the Education team and other teams within EIT Food and with external partners to ensure the successful delivery of the actions.

Your key duties and responsibilities will include:

Managing and executing projects: Manage and execute EU-funded projects ensuring that all project activities are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget;
Developing project activities: Use your knowledge of the industry, market trends, and EU funding mechanisms to design and implement project-specific activities that align with the goals of each programme and EIT Food's mission;
Aligning with EIT Food: Collaborate closely with other teams within EIT Food to facilitate programme activities;
Coordination with partners: Act as the primary point of contact for the development of new consortia for leverage funding, facilitating effective communication and cooperation to achieve shared project objectives;
Facilitating partner engagement: Encourage and support partners to participate in events, workshops, and other engagement activities with the goal of enhancing collaboration and increasing the impact of the projects;
Monitoring and reporting: Track the progress of projects against their objectives, ensure compliance with EU funding regulations, and prepare regular reports for senior management and other stakeholders.

Overall, this is a challenging and rewarding role that requires a mix of project management expertise, strategic thinking, and a strong impact mindset. If you are passionate about managing projects and actions, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and driving measurable impact, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Business Communication, Education, Innovation Management, Business Administration) or equivalent by experience;
Project management experience with EU-funded programmes like Horizon Europe or Erasmus+, including proposal writing, reporting, managing deliverables, compliance with EU regulations and familiarity with EU portals;
Experience in the food industry or education sector, with an understanding of industry, academia, and research needs;
Entrepreneurial mindset with experience or training in managing innovative projects and change management;
Knowledge of the European Agri-Food Systems and its actors is highly desirable;
Demonstrated knowledge of green and digital European policy and its implementation is required;
Strong project management skills: planning, executing, and overseeing projects to ensure timely delivery within budget and scope;
Strategic thinking with the ability to develop and implement strategic project plans aligning with programme and organisational goals;
Collaborative and team-oriented, with strong communication skills to engage partners, stakeholders, and senior management effectively;
Analytical and problem-solving skills: ability to use data to inform decision-making, identify challenges, and develop effective solutions;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools;
Fluency in English; additional European languages are a plus.

WHAT WE OFFER

Working at EIT Food means joining a team of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to creating a better future through food innovation. We cultivate a culture of collaboration, inventiveness, inclusivity, and constructive feedback. All employees are encouraged to contribute their ideas and expertise towards our mission of creating a more sustainable and inclusive food system.

Together, we're making a real impact on the food industry and we're looking for talented individuals like you to join us.

As a valued member of our team, we'll provide you with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

CONTRACT TYPE

Full-time temporary position for 4 years.

LOCATION & TRAVEL FREQUENCY

EIT Food HQ, Leuven (Belgium) with a hybrid work schedule.

Occasional travel within Europe.

Please note that all applicants must be legally authorized to reside and work in Belgium.

APPLICATION

Interested candidates are asked to upload their CV and Cover Letter in English in electronic format to CV Warehouse before 16.05.2025.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview and may be asked to prove their background, qualifications, skills and experiences by providing relevant documents.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

EIT Food is an equal opportunity employer, offering each candidate matching the minimum obligatory qualifications and experiences an equal chance in employment and promotion procedures.

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Don't forget to mention EuroBrussels when applying.

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