Programme Specialist (m/f/d) - EIT Higher Education Initiative

Company Description

About EIT RawMaterials

As the world moves towards a greener future, the demand for raw materials—minerals and metals—is set to increase immensely over the next three decades. Europe faces a critical challenge in securing a stable supply of these essential resources. This challenge is where EIT RawMaterials steps in.

EIT RawMaterials is at the forefront of driving innovation and sustainability in the raw materials sector. As an Innovation Community within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), we collaborate with over 300 partners across industry, academia, and research institutes. Together, we forge dynamic, long-term partnerships to develop innovative solutions that meet Europe's growing demand for raw materials.

The EIT HEI Initiative aims to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship within European universities and colleges. This programme focuses on integrating the EIT’s Knowledge Triangle model, which connects higher education, research, and business by encouraging collaboration and fostering innovation that is commercially viable and academically supported. The initiative promotes systemic change across institutions and leverages existing strengths to accelerate the development of innovative solutions.

Positio Overview

As Programme Specialist (m/f/d) for the EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI), you will join the core coordination team responsible for supporting the successful delivery, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the initiative. The role combines programme-level coordination and data management responsibilities with a Project Officer function for selected EIT HEI Cohort 5 projects allocated to EIT RawMaterials (project start date: 1 September 2026). The position requires a highly organised and proactive professional with strong analytical, operational, and stakeholder management skills, capable of working across multiple projects and coordinating with a diverse range of partners across the EIT ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

Programme-Level Coordination Duties and Tasks:

Programme Coordination and Administration

• Support the Senior Programme Manager in coordinating and implementing the EIT Higher Education Initiative Work Plan.

• Contribute to the smooth day-to-day operation of the programme through administrative, operational, and budgetary support.

• Manage and maintain shared programme tools and communication channels, including the HEI inbox, SharePoint, and other internal collaboration platforms.

• Coordinate internal processes and support cross-functional collaboration within the programme management team.

Data Management and Analysis

Lead the management, validation, cleaning, and maintenance of initiative-wide datasets, and support the HEI Grant and Operations Manager with EIT Data Portal management.

Support technical data workflows, including data curation, consolidation, and analysis.

Produce operational and exploratory analyses to support programme monitoring and decision-making.

Develop and maintain data management procedures to ensure consistency, integrity, and reliability across programme data.

Support data-driven reporting and contribute to continuous improvement of monitoring systems and processes.

Business Planning and Reporting

Support the preparation of multi-annual Business Plan amendments and programme performance reporting.

Contribute to the preparation and submission of progress reports for the programme and funded projects.

Assist in monitoring KPIs, milestones, deliverables, and programme risks, including identifying mitigation measures where required.

Ensure reporting activities are delivered accurately and within required timelines.

Calls for Proposals and Project Implementation

• Support the preparation and implementation of Calls for Proposals, including applicant support, eligibility checks, evaluation procedures, and preparation of key documentation.

• Support onboarding processes for newly funded projects.

• Provide day-to-day support to the team of EIT Higher Education Initiative Project Officers.

• Act as a central point of contact for project-related operational queries and coordinate escalation where necessary.

Events and Stakeholder Engagement

• Organise and support internal and external events, workshops, and meetings, both online and in person.

• Contribute to the coordination of key programme events, including Education & Skills Days, IVAP Workshops, and Programme Management Team meetings.

• Support stakeholder engagement and communication activities across the initiative.

Project Officer Duties and Tasks:

As Project Officer, you will be responsible for supporting and monitoring the implementation of EIT HEI projects assigned to EIT RawMaterials under the fifth Call for Proposals. The role combines project management, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and reporting responsibilities to ensure successful project delivery and long-term impact.

Project Management and Monitoring

• Oversee and support the implementation of funded projects throughout their full lifecycle.

• Facilitate project onboarding and coordinate contractual and administrative processes.Monitor project progress, deliverables, KPIs, risks, and reporting obligations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Support

• Build and maintain strong relationships with project partners through regular communication and meetings.

• Provide strategic guidance to project consortia to strengthen implementation quality, maximise impact, and address emerging risks or challenges.

• Support collaboration and knowledge exchange across projects and stakeholders within the EIT ecosystem.

Reporting and Quality Assurance

• Ensure the timely and high-quality preparation and submission of project documentation, reports, and performance metrics.

• Review project outputs and deliverables to ensure compliance with programme requirements and objectives.

• Contribute to internal monitoring and evaluation processes.

Strategic Alignment and Ecosystem Development

• Collaborate with internal teams to align funded projects with broader EIT RawMaterials strategic objectives.

• Support the engagement and potential conversion of EIT HEI project partners into EIT RawMaterials KIC partners.

• Promote opportunities for networking, dissemination, sustainability, and continued collaboration within and beyond the EIT ecosystem.

Requirements

1. Experience in programme or project coordination, preferably in EU-funded projects or international initiatives.

2. Strong project management skills, including monitoring KPIs, deliverables, risks, and timelines.

3. Excellent data management and analytical abilities, with strong Excel skills and experience working with large datasets.

4. Experience in preparing reports and supporting business planning activities.

5. Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and build strong relationships across diverse organisations and countries.

6. Strong organisational and administrative skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.

7. Experience supporting Calls for Proposals, grant management, or project implementation processes.

8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

9. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and collaboration tools.

10. Proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-focused mindset with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced international environment.

Other information

Additional Information & Our Recruitment Process

• Commitment to Diversity: EIT RawMaterials is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of background.

• Employment Type: Temporary Position on a two-year contract with the possibility of extension.

• Position Location: Berlin, Germany

The position will stay open until a successful candidate is chosen.

1. Application Review: Our team thoroughly reviews each application. Please make sure to submit your CV in English.

2. Initial Interview (30 minutes): Meet with the hiring manager and recruitment team.

3. Second Interview (60 minutes): Second interview with a presentation on a relevant topic to the hiring manager and the HR team.

4. Offer: If successful, receive an offer to join our team.