International Liaisons, Communication and Outreach Officer
Reference: BIOPOLIS 2023-85
Job description:
Horizon 2020 International Liaisons, Communication and Outreach Officer– Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Portugal
Reference: BIOPOLIS 2023-85
BIOPOLIS/CIBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources is seeking to recruit a Horizon 2020 International Liaisons, Communication and Outreach Officer (Reference BIOPOLIS 2023-85) to oversee internal and external operations relating to the project "TROPIBIO – Expanding potential in Tropical Biodiversity and ecosystem research towards sustainable life on land” (Reference Nº 854248), funded by the European Commission under the call H2020-WIDESPREAD-2018-04, and with an overall budget of 2.5M€. The appointment will extend until the conclusion of the project at the end of March 2025.
The project aims to expand the research and innovation potential of CIBIO, through the creation of an ERA Chair in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems Research. Taking advantage of historical and cultural links, the project is rooted on the network of Twin Labs established between CIBIO and institutions from Portuguese-speaking African countries, aiming to support research in biodiversity assessment, conservation and sustainable use, and ecosystem function and services, thereby contributing to achieve the Life on Land goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The International Liaisons, Communication and Outreach Officer will oversee communications within the project network, developing and implementing the communications and outreach strategy, contributing to the organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, and field-courses, coordinating young researchers placements and academic visits, contributing to research proposals, and managing relationships among the project’s diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate will also be responsible for developing a public outreach strategy, tools and materials focused on awareness raising about conservation and sustainable development in the focal countries of the TROPIBIO project.
The successful applicant will be based at the laboratory facilities of BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, which is a young and highly dynamic research centre located near Porto, in Northern Portugal, which conducts world-class research in the fields of biodiversity and evolution. It is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits. The Centre offers great opportunities for multidisciplinary research and hosts more than 30 research groups, which include over 160 PhD level researchers, and over 100 MSc and PhD students, from across the world. The Centre has state of the art ecology and molecular laboratories and conducts research projects at a global scale. The working language of the institute is English, and it offers a vibrant, multicultural and enthusiastic working atmosphere. In addition, the Northern region of Portugal provides rich cultural and outdoor activities and Porto is a UNESCO world-heritage city and the capital of Port wine.
Role Responsibilities:
Tasks carried out by the Horizon 2020 International Liaisons, Communication and Outreach Officer will include:
• Familiarise oneself with the TROPIBIO project and research network, ensuring that robust mechanisms are in place to support day-to-day communication and coordination on longer term objectives;
• Support the ERA Chair in the building of relations with top level research institutions;
• Coordinate the engagement of international stakeholders in the project’s knowledge mobilization strategy
• Develop education and outreach materials aimed at local stakeholders and other conservation actors in focal countries;
• Support the Project Coordinator and the ERA Chair holder in the development of communication activities related TROPIBIO, especially those related to conferences, workshops and seminars;
• Coordinate young researchers placements and academic visits related to the TROPIBIO project and strengthen/build relationships with researchers in lusophone countries;
• Develop and implement a strong brand identity and social media presence for the TROPIBIO project, as well as keeping the TROPIBIO website up to date;
• Periodically report to the Project Coordinator and the ERA Chair holder, as well as provide contribution regarding relevant project Deliverables.
• Some specific tasks:
o Help recruit and assimilate Lusophone African and top international students to the new Gulf of Guinea Research Program (GGRP) as PhD Fellows
o Help design the website for the GGRP
o Help organize the rollout of a newly created master’s program in biodiversity in Angola
o Leading the writing of two reports on communication and education for the European commission
o Lead the TROPIBIO social media effort
o Write reports to the European Commission on stakeholder engagement and communication
o Help organize the TiBe conference at CIBIO late in 2024
Required background and experience:
• MS in education, biology, communication or related field
• Experience in coordinating conservation and outreach projects
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and verbal communication skills in Portuguese and English.
Preferred background and experience:
• Experience with European Commission project management.
• Experience of implementing conservation research projects in tropical countries.
• Experience of scientific publication in conservation/ecology
• Experience teaching on/coordinating postgraduate programmes in ecology and conservation
• Strong teamwork skills
• Report writing skills
• Independent initiative
Start date:
ASAP, following agreement. Ideally March 1, 2024.
Benefits:
• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, between 1280,72 euros and 1754,41 euros (TRU 15 and 24)
• Opportunities for travelling, training, conference attendance and networking.
• Opportunities for medium-to-long term employment at CIBIO, contingent on funding
• High quality of life and low cost of living in Portugal.
Application:
Applications should be submitted at www.cibio.up.pt with following documents:
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae including three references;
• A brief (1 page) motivation letter;
• Qualifications Certificate
Applications must be submitted between 28th December 2023 and 22nd of January, 2024.
Evaluation and Selection Jury:
Applicants will be evaluated by a Selection Jury composed of:
Dr. Luke L. Powell
Dr. Fernanda Martins
Dr. Marion Tafani
Alternate: Dr. Pedro Beja,
Alternate: Dr. Joel Alves
All applicants will initially be evaluated based on their experience in the field and the Curriculum Vitae (50%) and motivation letter (20%). A shortlist based on the evaluation of the written applications (the top 5 candidates) will be used to select candidates for interview, which will allow a final evaluation (30%).
Workplace:
The work will mainly be carried out at the BIOPOLIS-CIBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto (Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Coordinates: N41.328940, W8.672635). However, the hired person may be required to spend some time in other labs/institutes, both in Portugal and elsewhere, in the scope of the activities of the TROPIBIO project.
Websites: