Freelance Policy Consultant for European Science Advocacy

Purpose of the job

The European Physical Society wishes to engage a Policy Officer to support the EPS in its interactions with Policy Makers in the EU. The EPS requires expert support to aid the development and dissemination of EPS policy, facilitate the interaction between the EPS executive and EU institutions and play a leading role in organising events with the support of EPS colleagues.

The EPS would like to engage an experienced consultant on a freelance basis with up to 10 working days per month dependant on the parliamentary calendar.

Context of the job

The EPS is a federation of national physical societies and individual physicists which advocates physics research and its contribution to the economic, technological, social and cultural advancement in Europe. The EPS represents the European physics community, supports the role of physicists to actively engage in the design and implementation of European science policies; provides a forum for EPS Members to discuss common issues and share best practice; engages in activities to reduce European fragmentation in physics research, funding and education andcooperates with international physical societies to promote physics, to support physicists worldwide and to foster international collaboration.

• A voice for European Physics: ensuring the views of member societies, division and groups and individual members are communicated at a European Level.
• A conduit information: Relevant developments, news, opportunities from Brussels should be conveyed to our community of active researchers.
• Raising profile: Work EPS with members  to raise the profile of physics and promote the value that physics education and research offers.

Dimensions

• To ensure the President, Executive Committee, Secretary General and where appropriate the wider membership are informed about developments in Brussels in a timely manner. To produce thoroughly researched, rigorous and high-standard policy papers and briefings that effectively communicate the EPS’ policy messages to a variety of audiences, including MEPs, employees of the European Commission and the media.
• To build and maintain relationships with elected officials and civil servants at the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the EU, and other public institutions – including at the national level across Europe.
• Identify of relevant opportunities for the EPS to influence EU policy by contributions to consultations, advisory groups etc. Ensure that the EPS is informed when such opportunities are open and transmit this information to the relevant groups.
• To contribute to the EPS response to policy developments, working to a high standard and within tight deadlines.

We would be interested in receiving proposals including the following:

• Scope of work: A detailed description of the services you provide
• Approach: how you propose to approach this consultancy
• Costs: A detailed breakdown of your fees and any additional costs.

•  CV (Curriculum Vitae) 
•  Examples of Written Work –Position papers, reports, or other relevant  documents on which you are the sole or leading author.

We expect a consultant to have the following skills and experience.

• Working experience in policy at the EU, or at a national or multilateral level, for example in a government, public institution, political party, NGO, think tank, industry association, public affairs agency, consulting firm, lobbying organisation or other relevant institution.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills. The ability to convey information clearly and accurately, tailoring the tone,(scientific) level and message to different audiences.
• Excellent networking, interpersonal, influencing, and relationship-building abilities.
• A natural sciences, preferably physics background.
• Organisational skills – ability to work with minimum supervision, prioritise workload, and handle multiple tasks. The ability to positively communicate with others; the confidence to listen and understand. Collaborative working – the capability to promote and generate co-operation, to achieve collective outcomes and develop a common vision. An eagerness to learn and to take on new challenges and responsibilities over time. An affinity with our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Good level of IT literacy.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Up-to-date knowledge of and familiarity with EU policies relevant to Physics and Basic Science research, for example, Horizon Europe, and the European Green Deal.
• A network of relevant contacts in Brussels.
• The ability to speak an European language other than English would be an advantage.