The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (the Agency) has a vacancy for a part-time Activity Officer, who will provide support across a number of Agency activities focusing on inclusive education policy and practice.
We are an independent organisation that acts as a platform for collaboration for our member countries in the field of special needs and inclusive education. We are the only European body maintained by our member countries with the specific mission of helping them improve the quality and effectiveness of their inclusive education systems.
The members of our permanent network of ministerial representatives decide upon the specific priorities that we focus on within the framework of our multi-annual work programmes. This process ensures that our work aligns with the priorities of the ministries of education in our member countries.
The Agency conducts various information-gathering and analysis activities involving an international team of activity managers, researchers and consultants.
All our work is in line with and directly supports all international and European Union (EU) policy initiatives on inclusive education systems that aim to provide high-quality learning opportunities for all learners.
We are funded by our member countries’ ministries of education and supported by the institutions of the EU. We receive an operating grant via the Jean Monnet initiative of the EU Erasmus+ programme. We also conduct additional assignments for our member countries and bodies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM).
The Agency Secretariat is based in Odense, Denmark, and we have a centre of operations in Brussels, Belgium. The Agency team members work across a number of European countries.
More information on the Agency’s work is available on our website: www.european-agency.org.
Details of the position
The position is part-time. Exact working hours will be negotiated with the successful candidate(s).
The initial appointment will be for one year (with a three-month probationary period), beginning in autumn 2023. There is the possibility to extend this period.
Remuneration will be individually negotiated with the successful candidate.
The contract will be awarded on a self-employed consultancy basis, in line with the Agency’s usual conditions of engagement.
Tasks and duties
We are looking for a suitably qualified and experienced researcher from the field of inclusive education to join and contribute to the diverse Agency team members.
The appointed person will be responsible for supporting on-going Agency activities, as well as completing international contracts and assignments examining policy and practice for inclusive education.
The appointed person will work directly with a small Agency team, as well as member country policy-makers and practitioners; undertake desk research and literature reviews; analyse quantitative and qualitative datasets; set up, implement and analyse online surveys; and contribute to drafting documents and reports.
The post involves travel within Agency member countries.
Applicant profile
This post would ideally suit an experienced researcher (PhD, post-graduate or recently qualified) in inclusive education or education policy-related studies. Experience of working within national or international policy contexts or organisations would be an asset.
The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of conducting qualitative and quantitative educational research in different contexts and producing outputs designed to support policy-makers in their work. This will include producing a range of outputs for different audiences.
Good English language skills (both spoken and written) are essential.
The ideal candidate will possess good teamworking skills, but will also be willing and able to work on their own initiative. This post involves home-based working, using web-based communication tools to work with colleagues around Europe. Experience of working with a range of IT tools and programs – including Microsoft Office – is necessary.
To ensure impartiality, transparency and independence in all our activities, we will not consider applications from candidates currently working, or who have recently worked, for ministries of education in our member countries.
Applications
Please email an application letter, detailing your relevant experience and qualifications and outlining your reasons for applying for the post, to the Agency Director, Dr C.J.W. Meijer: secretariat@european-agency.org. You should also submit a detailed curriculum vitae, including information on recent publications, and the names and contact details of two employment and/or academic referees.
More details on the post are available from the Agency Secretariat: secretariat@european-agency.org
The deadline for receiving applications is Friday 29 September 2023.
Online interviews will be conducted in October 2023. As part of the interview process, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation on a specified Agency work-related topic for a virtual audience.
Your personal data
During recruitment, your personal data is collected, stored and used only to facilitate the recruitment process. All data is deleted as soon as the recruitment process has been finalised, unless you are contracted by the Agency.
If you have questions about how your personal data is handled, please contact the Agency Personal Data Protection Group: privacy@european-agency.org.