Project Manager, Ecological Economics – University of Barcelona

Job Description:

The University of Barcelona is looking for an outstanding Administrative Project Manager to support research in ecological economics, including a transformative new Horizon Europe research project on models, assessment, and policies for sustainability. This is a 4+ year position, 35 hours per week, with a target start date of 1 March 2024.

The successful candidate will support cutting-edge research in ecological economics and political ecology, with a particular focus on “post-growth” approaches. The motivation for this research is the observation that GDP growth is no longer improving people’s lives in wealthy nations, and yet it is contributing to a worsening ecological crisis. A new economic paradigm is needed.

Towards this end, the research group is developing computer simulation models that explore the policy changes needed to achieve a good life for all people within planetary boundaries. They are currently part of two Horizon Europe research projects on post-growth topics, and they will be coordinating a major new research project on models, assessment, and policies for sustainability, starting in 2024.   

They are looking for an outstanding Administrative Project Manager with excellent organisational and time management skills to support this work. The successful candidate will work closely with the project Coordinators (Daniel O’Neill and Federico Demaria).

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of this position include:

• Supporting the Coordinators to help deliver high-impact research outputs
• Organising and planning meetings and events
• Organising travel and itineraries
• Monitoring contractual obligations (e.g. grant agreements, consortium agreements, and other legal reference documents)
• Monitoring project implementation, and the timely reporting and delivery of project commitments
• Informing and advising project partners on financial and administrative rules, and ensuring conformity with the relevant procedures
• Collating, filing, and tracking expenses (in collaboration with the UB Research Service)
• Producing reports, presentations, and briefs
• Taking notes and writing minutes during meetings
• Implementing and maintaining procedures and administrative systems
• Configuring software (e.g. Teams, Zoom) and producing resources (e.g. guides, templates)
• Monitoring the Coordinator’s email account and responding if required
• Liaising with university staff (e.g. financial services, legal services) and project partners
• Ordering resources such as equipment and software
• Engaging in external communications (e.g. social media) to help achieve impact

Essential — The successful candidate will have:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams)
• Excellent organisational skills and a keen attention to detail
• Well-developed time management skills
• Fluency in both English and Spanish (Catalan would also be an asset)
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Interest in sustainability and/or economics issues

Desirable — The successful candidate may have:

• Previous work experience as a Project Manager, Personal Assistant, or similar role
• Previous experience with Horizon Europe research projects
• Knowledge of the administrative procedures and protocols of Catalan public universities
• Experience working with project management processes and software

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this position, please submit your CV and a cover letter that describes how your skills and experience fit the position. Please address your application to Dr. Daniel O’Neill, and send it to ecoeco.recruitment@gmail.com by 15 November 2023, 23:59 CET. The subject of your email should be: “Application for Project Manager Position”. 

Deadline to apply: 15 November 2023

Target start date of position: 1 March 2024

Salary: €32,500 per year

The successful candidate will join one of the top groups of post-growth researchers in the world. We work closely as a team, and the successful candidate is expected to live and work in the Barcelona area.  Barcelona is a dynamic city on the Mediterranean, with a very high quality of life. The University of Barcelona is generally regarded as the top university in Spain, and one of the best in Europe.

The successful candidate will support cutting-edge research, and help drive positive change towards a more sustainable and inclusive society. In so doing, they will also have the opportunity to work with some of the top ecological economists and sustainability scientists from across Europe, including Daniel O’Neill, Federico Demaria, Jordi Solé, Simone D’Alessandro, Alexandra Köves, Milena Büchs, Jonathan Barth, Giorgos Kallis, and Tim Jackson.