The Vanguard Initiative is looking for a Communication Officer to work within its Secretariat based in Brussels, supporting the VI Network Manager by taking active part in the day-to-day running of the association.

As part of a small secretariat, the Communications Officer will not only get exposure to 38 highly industrialised member regions, but will also be working closely with the Management Board, and get experience in various collaborative activities and projects of the network that have a real impact on the functioning of interregional industrial value chains across Europe.

Vanguard Initiative

The Vanguard Initiative is driven by a political commitment made by regions to use their smart specialisation strategy to boost new growth through bottom-up entrepreneurial innovation and industrial renewal in European priority areas. Vanguard regions want to build the synergies and complementarities in smart specialisation strategies to boost world-class clusters and cluster networks, in particular through pilots and large-scale demonstrators. These investments will strengthen Europe’s competitive capacity to lead in new industries in the future and develop lead markets that offer solutions to our common challenges.

Job description

The Communication Officer will primarily provide support and report to the Network Manager. In addition to the indicative tasks outlined below, some flexibility and willingness to take on different tasks would be expected.

Meetings and Events Organisation

• Contributing to the preparation and dissemination of relevant support materials (Minutes, agendas, roadmaps, etc.)
• Collecting and circulating relevant documents on time for the Board meetings and General Assemblies.  
• Handle logistical aspects (registration, venue preparation/online meeting preparation, etc.)  

Communication – website and other media

• Support the definition and the delivery of communications strategies
• Manage the VI website:
  • Update the calendar and regularly disseminate information on upcoming events  
  • Ensure that information on the Vanguard Initiative website is up to date and accurate
• Manage social media accounts (Twitter and LinkedIn)
• Provide support on the creation and dissemination of ad hoc communications

Membership Administration  

• Handle incoming enquiries from the membership and external actors;
• Keep sending lists and administrative lists up to date
• Supporting the Network Manager with some financial administration tasks 

Desired skills

• High-level organizational skills with excellent attention to details;
• Ability to prioritise and deliver on tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Flexible, service-oriented, comfortable working autonomously
• An interest in EU regional collaboration activities and EU-funded collaborative projects,

Key requirements

• Studies or experience in European Studies, Business Administration, Communications, Association Management, or other relevant field;
• experience with MS Office software;
• fluency in English; proficiency in French, or other languages is an asset;
• willingness to occasionally travel abroad;
• must be legally allowed to live and work in Belgium (please note that relocation costs are not covered)
• Willing to work at least 2 day a week from the Brussels office

What do we offer?

As Communication Officer at the VI secretariat, you will have the chance to work in the high-pace, multi-cultural environment of a growing and dynamic EU association. You will get exposure to and support the varied collaborative activities of its 39 leading industrials regions, that have a real impact on the functioning of interregional industrial value chains across Europe.

How to apply?

Please send your CV, cover letter and 1 to 2 refences, and specifying how you found out about this open position to Farha Brahmi via [email protected] by Friday 25 November 2022. Interviews will be conducted between the 13th and 14th December.