Position description
Reporting to the Director and working in close collaboration with the management team, operational units and external partners, the Head of Outreach & Engagement provides strategic leadership for the Agency’s communication, stakeholder engagement and knowledge management functions.
The post plays a key role in positioning EIGE as the EU’s centre of expertise on gender equality and in ensuring that its evidence, tools and policy advice effectively reach and support policy‑makers and other target audiences.
The post holder is responsible for a multidisciplinary unit of approximately 18 staff covering communications, stakeholder relations, knowledge management and capacity‑building activities.
The Unit delivers a wide portfolio of activities, including strategic communication planning, media relations, digital and online communications, event management, production and dissemination of publications, management of the European Union’s Instrument of Pre-Accession (IPA) programme, and coordination of institutional outreach.
A core element of the role is the development and implementation of a strategic and integrated approach to stakeholder engagement, ensuring coherence between EIGE’s multiannual work programme, communication priorities and the needs of EU institutions, Member States, civil society and international partners.
Main duties
The post holder shall in particular
- Define, implement and monitor EIGE’s overarching communication and stakeholder engagement strategy, aligned with the Agency’s multiannual work programme and EU policy priorities on gender equality;
- Lead the Unit’s strategic planning, programming and performance monitoring in close coordination with the Research & Policy Unit and the Administration Unit;
- Provide leadership, direction and motivation to a diverse multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning and high performance;
- Ensure the effective communication of EIGE’s results, data and knowledge products to a wide range of audiences, including EU institutions, national authorities, civil society organisations, social partners, international organisations, academia and the media;
- Develop and maintain high‑level relationships with key stakeholders at EU and national level, including strategic engagement with the European Parliament, the Council, the European Commission and EU Presidencies;
- Oversee and further develop EIGE’s media relations, including engagement with mainstream European and international media, and provide strategic advice on reputational issues and sensitive communication matters;
- Plan and coordinate EIGE’s communication and outreach activities linked to EU Council Presidencies, in line with the Agency’s strategic objectives;
- Oversee EIGE’s Brussels Liaison Office, providing strategic guidance on priorities, ensuring coherence between Brussels‑based engagement and headquarters activities, and maximising EIGE’s visibility and impact within the EU institutional landscape;
- Ensure effective knowledge management processes, including the planning, production, dissemination and impact monitoring of EIGE publications and other knowledge products;
- Ensure the sound management of financial, procurement and contractual matters within the Unit’s remit, in compliance with EU financial regulations and internal control standards;
- Plan, monitor and oversee the implementation of the annual budget allocated to the areas of responsibility of the post;
- Represent EIGE, as required, in internal and external meetings, conferences and high‑level events.
Qualifications
Formal requirements
To be considered eligible, applicants must, by the closing date of this call:
- Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years;
- Have a thorough knowledge (spoken and written) of one official EU language and a satisfactory knowledge of a second official EU language;
- Be a national of a Member State of the European Union;
- Enjoy full rights as an EU citizen;
- Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable national laws concerning military service;
- Be physically fit to perform the duties.
Selection criteria
Essential
- At least 12 years of professional experience gained after the award of the relevant qualification, of which at least 6 years in management relevant to the duties described above, preferably in an EU institution, agency, international organisation or comparable complex environment;
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic communication and stakeholder engagement approaches at EU or international level;
- Proven experience in leading and managing communication teams and delivering EU‑wide or international communication projects;
- Sound understanding of the European Union, including EU decision‑making processes, institutional dynamics, policies and procedures;
- Proven understanding of mainstream European media relevant to the Agency’s mandate, and an established professional media network;
- Excellent written and spoken English, the Agency’s main working language;
- Strong diplomatic, presentation and interpersonal communication skills;
- Strong organisational, administrative and leadership skills, including the ability to manage priorities, work under pressure and communicate effectively with staff and stakeholders at all levels.
Advantageous
- A qualification in communications, journalism, European studies or another relevant field;
- Experience in public affairs, advocacy or institutional relations in complex EU or international environments;
- Good understanding of EU policies, strategies and priorities related to gender equality and non‑discrimination;
- Experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
Competencies
Further selected candidates will undergo reference checks focusing on managerial capability and will be invited for an assessment centre with structured aptitude and competence tests carried out by consultants serving in an advisory capacity to the selection committee. Candidates will be assessed against the following leadership competencies, in line with EIGE’s competency framework and the seniority of the post:
- Visionary thinking – Ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision for EIGE’s communication and stakeholder engagement role, anticipating future developments and positioning the Agency proactively within the EU policy landscape;
- Strategic decision making – Ability to analyse complex information, assess risks and opportunities, and take sound, timely decisions that advance the Agency’s strategic objectives;
- Planning and execution – Ability to translate strategic priorities into coherent plans, allocate resources effectively, and ensure high-quality and timely delivery of results;
- Adaptive leadership – Ability to adjust leadership style and approaches in response to changing contexts, emerging priorities and organisational needs;
- Resilience planning – Ability to anticipate challenges, manage uncertainty and pressure, and ensure continuity and effectiveness of operations in demanding environments;
- People management – Ability to lead, motivate and develop staff, manage performance, foster diversity and inclusion, and build a collaborative and high-performing team culture;
- Change management – Ability to lead and support organisational change, encourage innovation, and guide teams through transformation processes;
- Strategic communication – Ability to design and steer integrated communication strategies, ensuring clear, coherent and impactful messaging tailored to diverse audiences;
- Stakeholder engagement – Ability to build, maintain and strategically leverage relationships with key stakeholders at EU and national level to enhance the visibility, relevance and impact of EIGE’s work;
- Negotiation and diplomacy – Ability to represent the Agency effectively, manage sensitive issues, and negotiate constructively with institutional, political and external partners in a complex EU environment.
Application instructions
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