Nesta is a global innovation foundation whose mission is to stimulate and shape new enterprise that will enhance how the world works for everyone. Working in partnership with others, we use our knowledge, networks, funding and skills to find solutions to some of the most difficult challenges we face today.
Each of these three key roles will sit within Nesta’s dynamic Research, Analysis and Policy Team and Futures Team.
About the three projects
From mapping the organisations and projects across Europe using technology to tackle social challenges to carrying out research into the barriers facing the growth of DSI in Europe, Nesta has been involved in the field of digital social innovation since 2014. The first project will last 18 months and see our successful candidate ensure the effective and efficient continuation of our work in this field, working with a consortium of European partners.
The second two-year project will see Nesta launch a second phase of the Startup Europe Partnership, a major European programme which aims to help startups to grow and scale up across Europe. Our successful candidate will understand different routes to scale (including stock market floatation), further research and map corporate-startup collaboration, and run training workshops for entrepreneurs and potential ‘scale-ups’ across Europe.
Finally, Nesta is embarking on the 15-month Engineroom, a project under the European Commission’s ambitious new Next Generation Internet flagship initiative. You will focus on identifying and mapping the ecosystems of emerging technologies and trends that will underpin the future internet, plus involve a range of citizens across Europe in developing radical new visions for a more human-centric, inclusive and resilient internet by 2025.
Within all three roles:
You will be expected to act as the interface between the European Commission, each project’s steering committees, project partner organisations and third parties. You will be the focal point both for receiving reports, comments and project funds from the European Commission and partners, as well as for distributing and disseminating these further. Helping to assess the impact of changes to project’s Work Packages on the general development of these projects, plus checking and monitoring budget expenditure are also key responsibilities.
- Project 1 – Digital Social Innovation – 3 days a week, 18 month contract
- Project 2 – Startup Europe Partnership – 2.5 days a week, 24 month contract
- Project 3 – NGI (Next Generation Internet) Engineroom – full-time or 4 days a week, 15 month contract
Key roles and responsibilities
To secure these roles, our ideal candidates:
- Must be a highly organised and innovative self-starter who boasts expertise in managing EU-funded projects, with experience of delivering Horizon 2020 projects related to technology or social innovation particularly valuable.
- Have a track record of project monitoring and claims submission portals would be beneficial, while experience of building and maintaining project management processes and streamlining complex monitoring/reporting processes is key.
Experience and skills
Flexible, collaborative and able to meet deadlines effectively, you will be an outstanding communicator, both verbal and written, with strong analytical, problem-solving and financial skills.