Senior Manager – EU Employment and Social Policy

Position description

We are looking for a Senior Manager to join our well-established Policy Implementation and Programmes practice, which manages a spectrum of large programmes. The practice provides technical assistance, insights, research, networking and other implementation services to EU institutions, particularly the European Commission, as well as organisations in the UK. Our current portfolio of projects supports the main Directorates-General of the Commission, spanning Mutual Learning Services for DG Employment and Social Inclusion, Supporting the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES), providing support services to the ESF + programme, supporting the European Platform Tackling Undeclared Work on behalf of the European Labour Authority, operating the European Centre of Expertise on labour market policy and labour law, supporting the EQAVET Network, designing and delivering training services, working within the framework of DG REFORM and managing the Erasmus+ Alumni Network Services – to name a few.

The person will, depending on their experience and our portfolio of contracts:

• Support the management/directly oversee the day-to-day management of specific activities or strands of work within programmes, reporting to relevant Contract Managers and Contract Directors; or
• Oversee the day-to-day management of one or several programmes, reporting to relevant Contract Directors.

Depending on their experience, the person could be expected to:

• Support/manage the day-to-day implementation of European programmes or parts of such programmes, covering both the content and organisational aspects;
• Plan and manage the work of large, multi-national and multi-disciplinary teams;
• Set up and manage formal and informal networks of government officials, experts, subcontractors and other stakeholders;
• Set-up, monitor and manage large and complex budgets, with an understanding of different cost models;
• Oversee risk management and contractual compliance in line with ICF systems, clients’ terms and other requirements, setting up/managing PMOs on larger projects;
• Prepare key written outputs, such as contractual reports, methodological concepts and frameworks, visionary papers, analytical/evaluative pieces and other pivotal documents for the client;
• Oversee and quality assure written outputs produced by other team members and experts, such as event reports, toolkits, guidance notes, background papers, good practice fiches, evaluations, ad-hoc studies, etc.;
• Oversee and quality assure key activities and deliverables, including the:
  • Organisation of meetings and events, ranging from small workshops and study visits, through to large-scale seminars and conferences;
  • Management of networks, working groups and other collaborative structures;
  • Management of helpdesk and secretariat services;
  • Communications aspects of programmes, such as websites, portals/repositories, newsletters, graphic work of publications, etc.;
  • Management of other activities relevant to each programme.
• Develop, implement and continuously improve tools, systems and procedures for effective programme management, as well as coordination across the wider team and business;
• Chair and facilitate external meetings and events, with an understanding of group dynamics and participation;
• Prepare and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences;
• Contribute to business development through capture of key opportunities and proposal-writing;
• Take on the line management, training, development and mentoring of staff;
• Undertake other management tasks, as needed.

These are positions that come with responsibilities, and we are therefore seeking individuals with at least between 12-14+ years’ professional experience. This experience must cover relevant policy areas, with a priority placed on European employment and social policy, social inclusion vocational education and training. Other policy areas are of interest, such as migration and asylum, European Structural Funds, health, regional economic development, enterprise and SMEs. Any experience should also be underpinned by strong project/programme management skills, ideally backed up by relevant training and/or certifications.

Required experience:

• 12-14+ years of professional experience, ideally backed up by relevant training and/or certifications, such as Prince 2, PMP, PMI, etc.;
• Experience in managing multi-national and multi-disciplinary teams of more than 5+ people;
• Experience of managing European networks, working groups and other collaborative structures;
• Experience in quality control of delivered services, client orientation and project conflict resolution experience;
• Experience in the coordination of internal/external experts at various levels to ensure tasks are completed to time and to budget;
• Experience/knowledge of PMOs;
• Knowledge of communications methods and tools in the context of disseminating outputs;
• Experience in leading or contributing to capture and proposal-writing to win new work;
• Knowledge of the European market.

Personal Qualities:

• Ability to self-organise, prioritise and manage/work with multiple work strands and teams in parallel under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• High level of ability and confidence to perform tasks with minimum supervision;
• Ability to work flexibly to meet client and organisational priorities and needs;
• Strong commitment to and interest in the above-mentioned policy areas;
• Sound research and business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information;
• Excellent communication skills, including experience with presenting key methodologies and concepts to clients;
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical and presentation skills in English – additional European languages an advantage;
• Commitment to the progression and development of junior research/other staff;
• Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as clients and sub-contractors;
• Ability to work within multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams spread across several countries;
• Willingness to travel within Europe, as required;
• Entrepreneurial talent to identify and realise new opportunities, as well as new innovations/approaches that will improve efficiency.

Working at ICF:

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Application instructions

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