Oorspronkelijke vacature omschrijving:

Are you interested in spearheading a dynamic interdisciplinary public-private research consortium? Do you show strong leadership, communicate effectively, and have proficient organizational abilities for successful coordination across diverse stakeholders? Join us in our state-of-the-art prestigious five-year research programme, COMCRIM, innovative in focus and approach. We are passionate about conducting cutting-edge research, with societal impact, into data-driven solutions for crimes that undermine democracy and the rule of law in and via the Netherlands (‘ondermijning’), and are therefore looking for an exceptional candidate like you. Please apply now to be a force for a more resilient democracy and rule of law!

Job Description

About Us:

You will be a Project Manager in our interdisciplinary public-private research consortium that seeks to address the fundamental problem of crimes that undermine democracy and the rule of law in and via the Netherlands (in Dutch: rechtsstaat-ondermijnende criminaliteit or in short ondermijning). Realizing that, for such a complex issue, the sum is more than its parts, more than 28 scholars from at least nine disciplines jointly conduct interdisciplinary research under the overall theoretical framework of complexity science. Given that neither the private sector nor the public sector can address this challenge on its own, 22 private and public agencies including three banks, two intelligence and law enforcement agencies, two applied knowledge institutes, three ministries, three NGOs, and three network organizations collaborate. Altogether, our COMCRIM community intends to gain a fundamental understanding of crimes that corrode democracy and the rule of law and develop proactive, evidence-based solutions thereto that foster resilience including on rule of law principles like accountability to the law, equality before the law, and fairness in the application of the law. To achieve this aim, we inter alia detect crime in unorthodox data sources like banking records, follow the money, and discern networks, patterns and trends.

COMCRIM

This five-year research project entitled COMbatting CRIMes that undermine democratic societies governed by the rule of law in a smart and comprehensive manner (in short: COMCRIM) is part of the NWA research programme ‘Research along Routes by Consortia (ORC)’, financed by the Dutch Research Council NWO (see for more information under budget range 2-5 million euros). The NWA supports excellent research in the Netherlands, providing funding to scientific consortia that have the potential to rank among the world’s best in their field. COMCRIM is a response to the urgent need for an informed perspective on crimes that undermine democracy and the rule of law in and via the Netherlands. Under the overall theoretical framework of complexity science, COMCRIM seeks to understand the systemic problems caused by such crime to core public and private institutions, society, and public values and norms. The project brings together three lines of inquiry: (i) socio-legal, (ii) computer science, and (iii) socio-economic research. Researchers in criminal law, private law and human rights due diligence, social science, computer science, artificial intelligence, complexity science, ethics, criminology, and statistics jointly conduct the interdisciplinary research involving supervision of our six PhD researchers and three postdoc researchers as well as our other personnel like student assistants. They will be guided by an equally interdisciplinary international expert group and national advisory group. As a close-knit team, the COMCRIM community will develop solutions for comprehensively and smartly tackling what complexity science understands to be the ‘ecosystem’ of crimes that undermine democratic societies governed by the rule of law. For more information, please contact COMCRIM’s project director and principal investigator, Dr. Jill Coster van Voorhout, and see our website: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/comcrim

Your Role:

As Project Manager you will play a key role in managing and coordinating the multi-stakeholder consortium. You will assist the project director and principal investigator, Dr. Jill Coster van Voorhout, in uniting and ensuring success of our diverse team consisting of a wide variety of public and private partners; contributing to the public dissemination of academic research and innovation; and managing timelines, budgets and teams to meet deliverables in a qualitative and timely manner.

Responsibilities:

Consortium Management

• Manage relationships with stakeholders from various sectors, including banks, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, ministries, NGOs, and knowledge institutes.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among the 22 partner organizations.

Project Coordination

• Work closely with Dr. Jill Coster van Voorhout to unite and coordinate the diverse team.
• Oversee deliverables and timelines to ensure the successful execution of the research project.

Communication and Dissemination

• Contribute to the public dissemination of academic research and innovation.
• Develop and implement communication strategies to share project outputs with (external) stakeholders.

Budget and Timeline Management

• Manage project budgets and timelines to meet deliverables with a focus on quality and timeliness.

Your Activities:

The COMCRIM community provides a stimulating research environment, fostering teamwork, educational innovation, and societal impact. As a key member, you will:

• Participate in the coordination of research and educational development activities.
• Contribute to teamwork within committed departments and universities.
• Support and elevate our ambitious research agenda in its scientific and societal impact goals.

Requirements

We are looking for the following in the candidate: A proactive, collaborative Project Manager, who is experienced in, or has a demonstrable eagerness to start, working with/in different sectors (public, private, civil society, academia), who has by the time of appointment:

• An Applied University (HBO) degree in relevant field (e.g. project management, business management, human rights).
• At least 3 years of work experience in project management. A track record of previous projects managed successfully and qualitatively (certifications in project management are preferable; less experience will be considered if a track record of relevant other activities is shown).
• Experience in coordinating different stakeholders, including private and public sector ones.
• Interest in working in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Fluency in Dutch and English.

Nice to have:

• An interest in contributing to the research topical outputs (democracy and the rule of law, organized crime, human rights law and due diligence, artificial intelligence, complexity science, ethics, criminology statistics, and economics).
• Affinity with working in academia and/or an innovative context.
• Experience in communications or marketing.
• Experience in organizing events.
• Experience in coordinating teaching and/or applied training programs.

What we offer

As COMCRIM’s Project Manager at the Faculty of Law, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 8.5 according to UFO profile Project Leader, function level 3 with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from € 3,720 and € 4,103 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months, with a scope of 0.4 – 0.8 FTE. Upon proven suitability, the employment contract will be converted to a contract for 48 months. Some of the managerial activities will take place in Maastricht and where possible Amsterdam and we are also flexible as to your location of work beyond such requirements. You will be a member of our community in Maastricht, while you can also regularly benefit from working at the Institute for Advanced Study in Amsterdam through its partnership in COMCRIM.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here

Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law at Maastricht University is a top-quality provider of challenging and rewarding Dutch and European legal education at bachelor’s, masters and PhD-level. A true pioneer in small-scale education and the teaching of legal skills for a broad range of future legal professionals.

The clear research focus on European and international aspects of law and technology. On the empirical dimension of law provides both students and staff with a stimulating work environment. The faculty values its open and inclusive community, which contributes to creating a productive and pleasant place for work and study.

The Faculty of Law offers a wide range of bachelor and master's programs. Would you like to learn more about our programs? Visit our website for more information on the courses, career perspectives, and admission requirements of our programs.

Curious?

Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Jill Coster van Voorhout, COMCRIM’s project director and its principal investigator via Jill.CostervanVoorhout@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

If you are intrigued by our vacancy but uncertain if you are the perfect fit, apply anyway! We welcome all qualified candidates, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and those underrepresented in academia. Our consortium values diversity, equity, inclusivity, and complementarity. We believe that diverse perspectives are vital in shaping a societal vision to prevent the erosion of democratic societies governed by the rule of law. Our commitment extends to creating an inclusive environment where mutual respect, equal opportunities, and varied experiences thrive in research, organization, flexibility, training, and community activities. Join us in building a team where every voice matters.

Applying?

Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Project Manager? Apply now, no later than 13 February 2024, for this position.

The first interviews preferably take place on 19 and 20 February. The second interviews will preferably be held on 26 and 27 February. Make sure you are available during this period. If there are days/times during this period that you are not available, please indicate this in your application. We will try to take this into account. There is no possibility to reschedule interviews after the invitation.

Your application should be written in English and include the following documents:

• A filled application form;
• A 2-page motivation letter, indicating your motivation to work with us, your interests in working in an interdisciplinary public-private research consortium, and experience related to project management or assistance;
• A curriculum vitae;
• Two references, including contact information, that can be consulted;
• Copy of your diploma and transcripts.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.