Project Officer - Higher Education Initiative

Project Officer - Higher Education Initiative

Apply for the Project Officer - Higher Education Initiative role at Climate KIC as a full‑time, fixed‑term position (through December 2027, with possible extension).

Job Description

• Job Title: Project Officer - Higher Education Initiative
• Team: Learning & Capacity Building – closely collaborating with the Cross‑KIC EIT HEI initiative
• Contract: Fixed‑term until December 2027, with possibility of extension
• Level: Foundation
• Salary: Competitive for a not‑for‑profit organisation
• Locations: Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Slovenia, UK, France, Italy
• Start Date: 1 November 2025

Climate KIC is Europe’s foremost climate innovation initiative, dedicated to leveraging systems innovation to transform places, industries, and value chains by 2030. We operate as a not‑for‑profit foundation, coordinating public‑private partnerships across the EU, and have a remote‑first approach with flexible working arrangements.

About The Role

This role supports the efficient implementation of the EIT Higher Education Institution (HEI) Capacity Building Initiative, a pan‑European Cross‑KIC effort aimed at enhancing HEI innovation and entrepreneurship capacity.

You'll support the management of 7 HEI Initiative projects involving 62 organisations from 25 countries.

Key Responsibilities

• Primary point of contact for EIT HEI Initiative‑funded projects and liaison between projects, Climate KIC, and the central EIT HEI coordination team.
• Build and maintain connections between HEI Initiative projects and Climate KIC activities, opportunities, and clusters.
• Monitor project progress (timelines, budgets, deliverables, milestones) through monthly meetings and performance reviews.
• Autonomously manage project performance reporting on EIT KPIs and outputs per HEI guidelines.
• Ensure alignment with Climate KIC processes and procedures for smooth programme delivery.
• Support projects in locating resources within the Climate KIC and EIT ecosystem.
• Assist with planning and managing project activities and tasks to meet deadlines.
• Organise and implement online and in‑person activities such as KIC Discovery Days, IVAP workshops, and System Innovation trainings.
• Participate in cross‑KIC task forces on HEI management and coordination.
• Produce project documents and reports.
• Foster ongoing connection and engagement between HEI Initiative projects and Climate KIC clusters.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: EIT HEI Initiative team at Climate KIC, Learning & Capacity Building, IT, Operations, Finance, Monitoring Evaluation & Learning (MEL).

External: Project coordinators, project consortium partners, other EIT KICs delivering the EIT HEI Initiative, external suppliers/service providers.

About You

You are passionate about the programme’s mission, approachable to diverse stakeholders, and a self‑motivated, action‑oriented team player.

Education / Qualifications

• University degree in business administration, general/project management, social & political sciences, economics, or a related field, or 3 years of project management experience.

Experience

• 3–5 years of experience as a project officer managing complex international projects.
• Experience handling stakeholder relationships with academics, R&I, and social enterprises.
• Experience building community engagement and fostering collaboration.
• Proven track record in project management and organising events online and in‑person.
• Experience digitalising project/administrative processes and workflows.
• Proficiency in creating high‑quality written documents.
• (Optional) Experience in higher education or entrepreneurship programmes.

Skills

• Excellent project management, attention to detail, and multi‑tasking under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Team spirit and collaborative working style.
• Familiarity with Office365, Microsoft Teams, Miro, Zoom, Mentimeter, and similar collaborative tools.

Qualities, Personal Style, and Approach

• Teamplayer with a can‑do, get‑it‑done attitude.
• Curious, learning mindset, pro‑active problem‑solving.
• Ambition to grow through complex tasks and organisation.

Location & Working Conditions

• Right to work in the EU required.
• Remote or hybrid work supported with high flexibility; occasional travel may be required.
• Recruitment is open to all backgrounds; Climate KIC encourages applications from under‑represented groups and offers reasonable adjustments.

Seniority Level

Entry level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Education and Training

EEO Statement

Climate KIC is wholly committed to building a diverse and representative team and an inclusive workplace that values different life experiences and perspectives. We actively encourage applications from under‑represented groups and are happy to consider reasonable adjustments that can foster success for all candidates.