Head of communication

 

Nordregio is an institute for applied research and development. Our fields of study include regional development, urban policy and spatial planning, as well as the cross- cutting aspects of spatial and regional policies. Sustainable development and territorial cohesion are among the most important policy issues in this respect. The geographical focus of the Institute is on the Nordic countries, the Baltic Sea Region and Europe. Our main clients are the Nordic Council of Ministers, the European Union, and the governments and regions of the Nordic countries. Nordregio has a multi-disciplinary staff and, as such, boasts an eclectic working environment. The institute is located in attractive surroundings in the City of Stockholm, Sweden.

   

Nordregio seeks a new staff member to be responsible for our overall communications output. You will have strategic and operational responsibility to lead and facilitate the knowledge-brokering activities of the Centre.

 

The position as Head of communication is a new role within the organisation, based on the decision to strategically focus on interactive two-way communication methods. You will be responsible for leading the development of our communication efforts to involve our clients and end users more directly in the research process. You will also take the lead in ensuring that our traditional communication channels such as journals, research reports and the homepage fit within this new overarching two-way communication concept.

 

Your main tasks can be described as follows:

• You will be responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of the communication strategy based on the two-way communication concept
• You will lead the integration of traditional one-way information channels with the overarching two-way communication concept
• You will support and ‘coach’ our research project managers in  the development of our new communication activities in respect of their interactions with clients, end-users and partners
• You will work in a ‘hands-on’ capacity with the planning, organisation and facilitation of interactive communication processes both at the seminars and workshops linked to individual projects and for Nordregio more generally

 

Your professional background could be in communication, research, consulting or education. Prospective candidates are, however, expected to have the necessary personal competences to lead and facilitate learning and development processes as well as previous experience of facilitating the interaction of experts and end users. It would be an additional advantage here if you have an understanding of how research processes are conducted and how they can aid in communication between the worlds of research and practice.

 

Since Nordregio works within a broad field of knowledge in an international setting it is important that you are a knowledge-hungry and open-minded person with the ability to quickly grasp complex research issues. A basic knowledge of regional development, planning and policy will be considered an advantage. Personal experience from a knowledge producing organisation will be an important qualification, especially experience of communication management work within such a setting. Experience of international research cooperation will also be viewed as advantageous.

 

In addition it is important for successful applicants to be able to facilitate the involvement of the end users throughout the research process. The creation of opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and experience among practitioners and policy makers will also be a major part of your work.

 

Fluency in both English and in a Scandinavian language is essential. Possession of other European languages would be considered an additional advantage.

 

The position is full time. We offer competitive salaries and term contracts with a maximum length of four years. After further agreement the contract can be renewed for an additional two or four year period.

 

Nordregio offers you the opportunity to become a part of an international institution. The positions offer significant career development potential in terms of encouraging successful applicants to build and/or enhance their own international network of contacts in both the policy and academic fields.

 

For further information, please contact the institute’s Director, Ole Damsgaard by e-mail at ole.damsgaard@nordregio.se or the institute’s Deputy Director, Margareta Dahlström by e-mail margareta.dahlstrom@nordregio.se.

 

Applications including a CV and references should be addressed to Nordregio by e-mail - nordregio@nordregio.se - and must be received no later than 1 March 2010.