Background:
ECDPM is a leading independent “think-and-do tank” specialising in international development and in EU relations with the developing world. Our mission is to link policy and practice in international cooperation with a particular focus on EU-Africa and EU-ACP relations.
The ECDPM Director will lead a team of some 60 highly qualified policy researchers of some 20 different nationalities. ECDPM is looking for an individual with an established reputation to lead the organisation into a new phase in its development in the rapidly changing sector of international cooperation, building on its achievements and successes. S/he will take office in a multi-cultural foundation functioning under Dutch law and operating in a rapidly changing context with increased competition for reduced budgets.
We are looking for a Director with a solid track record and understanding of the international cooperation and international relations context at large. S/he should be a good communicator and strategic thinker with strong social skills, able to stimulate the full participation of the management and the staff of the Centre. In close cooperation with the relevant management bodies of the Centre the Director will take final responsibility for the preparation of the next Centre strategy (2016-2020), for the broadening and deepening of ECDPM’s networks and partnerships, for the further development of its human resources and for the continued financial sustainability of the Centre.
Major responsibilities:
The Director is responsible for overall Centre management (internal management, programme of work and staff). This includes:
- Corporate governance, chairing the management meetings and the general staff meeting;
- Responsible for all assigned permanent and associated staff and review of performance;
- Developing the Centre’s overall strategy in collaboration with Programme Managers and identifying partners and stakeholders;
- Managing the preparation and execution of the annual work plans including financial budget, monitoring and evaluating plan realisation and providing intellectual guidance;
- Supervising the Centre’s financial and personnel planning, accounting procedures and periodical reports.
The Director reports to the ECDPM Board of Governors. S/he is Secretary to the Board and its Committees (the Board Executive Committee and the Board Programme Committee).
The Director represents the Centre to third parties at events. S/he develops and maintains institutional contacts with other organisations relevant to the role and functions of ECDPM.
Essential qualifications:
- An established reputation in the world of international cooperation and international relations;
- Strategic and inspirational leadership;
- A significant number of years of experience serving in a senior management role;
- Strong social intelligence, willing to closely work with ECDPM’s system of collective governance and decentralised management;
- Experienced in managing evidence-based research and relating policy to practice;
- Experience with process facilitation and “brokerage” between different groups of actors and stakeholders;
- Experience with fundraising and partnership building;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Proficiency in both English and French;
- An open attitude towards the staff of ECDPM with respect for the human factor;
- A Masters degree and/or Ph.D. in areas relevant to international cooperation.
Other desirable qualifications:
- Experience with European cooperation and EU external relations, mainly in relation to Africa;
- Good access to networks of policy makers, practitioners and institutions in the EU and member-states, the African institutions and international organisations;
- Commitment to encouraging high standards of human resource development;
- Experience with financial management and budgeting;
- Knowledge of the EU, the Dutch international cooperation scene, and the policies and practices of key EU member states particularly as they relate to Africa;
- Knowledge of the Dutch language.
Women are encouraged to apply for this position. The Director will be based at ECDPM’s Head Office in Maastricht with frequent travel to Brussels, The Hague and various European countries as well as to Africa and elsewhere.