Head of Unit - Outreach and Engagement

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is organising a call for applications with a view to establishing a reserve list for the post of Head of Unit – Outreach and Engagement.

The Agency

Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, EIGE is a decentralised agency of the European Union (EU) entrusted with specific objectives envisaged to contribute and strengthen the promotion of gender equality.

To achieve its goals, the Agency collects and analyses comparable and reliable information at EU level and develops appropriate methodological tools for the integration of gender equality into all EU policies. It fosters the exchange of good practices and dialogue between stakeholders and raises EU citizen awareness of this policy area by providing technical assistance to EU institutions, in particular the European Commission, as well as the authorities of the Member States.

In the course of its work to promote and strengthen gender equality, EIGE supports policy-makers with high quality research and comparable data relevant to their work.

Job profile and duties

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.

Formal requirements and selection criteria

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

• 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 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.

Conditions of employment

The place of employment is Vilnius, Lithuania. EIGE operates from a modern, fully digitalised office located in the historic Old Town, providing a high-quality working environment that supports collaboration, innovation and efficient ways of working.

The jobholder will work in a highly multicultural and diverse environment, reflecting the European character of the Agency. Social dialogue is a core value at EIGE, and the Agency applies a participatory and inclusive management approach, promoting open, transparent and constructive dialogue between management and staff at all levels. A significant part of EIGE’s work is organised through cross-unit and multidisciplinary project teams, encouraging close cooperation, shared ownership and knowledge exchange.

Working time is organised on the basis of flexitime with core working hours, in accordance with the EU Staff Regulations and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants and telework arrangements are possible. EIGE supports continuous professional development by offering access to a wide range of training and learning opportunities. In addition, the Agency provides various support and well-being measures for staff members and their families, including, where applicable, contributions towards schooling costs and other family-related support measures.

For reasons related to the Agency’s operational requirements, the chosen candidate will be expected to be available at short notice. An AD 10 Temporary Agent contract under Article 2f pursuant to the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union shall be offered, subject to nine months’ probation. The duration of the contract will be three years and may be renewed.

Independence and declarations of interest

The jobholder will be required to enter into a commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make complete declarations of any direct or indirect interests that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence. Candidates must confirm their willingness to do so in their application.