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As an EMR Policy Officer you will be responsible for a substantive evaluation of the current Interreg programme. Together with our 13 partners, you will conduct research into the socio-economic needs in the Euroregion. You will then transform the outcomes into a new operational Interreg VI-A programme for the period 2021–2027. The current Interreg V-A EMR programme runs until the end of 2020 (with run-out until the end of 2023), and the new programme period will start in mid-2021. In order to be operational from the beginning of the new 2021–2027 programme period, both in terms of content and priorities, proposals must be examined in good time and discussed in detail with all stakeholders in order to create a high level of support within the programme area.

In this position you will be part of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion cluster

Since 1991, cross-border cooperation projects between the Belgian, German, and Dutch partner regions have received support from Interreg. The fifth period of the programme covers the entire territory of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, parts of the German Land Rheinland-Pfalz, and a number of neighbouring regions in Belgium and the Netherlands. The European Union and its programme partners (Member States, regions) have made a total of EUR 140 million in public funding available for joint action in the areas of innovation, the economy, social inclusion, education, and territorial development.

The Dutch Province of Limburg has been designated the Management Authority (MA) and Certification Authority (CA) for the new Interreg V-A programme for the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. This means that the Province is responsible for managing this cross-border programme, which runs until 2024.

“Help us shape the next Interreg programme.”

Here’s what an Interreg VI Policy Officer actually does

You coordinate the development of the new Interreg VI-A programme by acting as lead for development of the new programme in terms of quality, support, timing and budget, right from preparation of the programme through to implementation of the new programme structure.

This makes you responsible for producing a programme document for the Interreg VI-A EMR operational programme – in accordance with the templates set out in the EU regulations – which meets the wishes of the programme partners and can be submitted as such to the European Commission.

In order to accomplish this task in good time, you will draw up a specific, feasible schedule for implementation of the new programme up to and including its approval by the Monitoring Committee at the end of 2020 and, in the second phase, implementation of the approved programme so that it can commence operations in mid-2021. Specifically, this means that you are responsible for working out:

• the strategy for the new programme, setting out the main development challenges and policy objectives;
• the priority axes, including investment priorities, programme objectives, specific objectives, target groups, and the activities envisaged, including instruments;
• the set of indicators for each investment priority, with output, result, and performance indicators, with linked to these the baseline and target values;
• the financial plan for the programme;
• demarcation of the programme area;
• the integrated strategy for territorial development;
• implementation of the structure of the programme, including designation of the relevant authorities and bodies, the involvement and role of the programme partners;
• the manner of coordinating the programme;
• a proposal to reduce the administrative burden by utilising the SCOs (simplified cost options);
• further intensification of the SWOT analysis of our programme area. An in-depth analysis of the programme area has already been carried out in recent months. Identifying, investigating, and analysing societal and socio-economic developments and political views and issues in the programme area concerned and assessing their relevance to the programme are important elements of this analysis;
• the implementation framework for the operational programme.

You will then establish the strategic framework by drawing up tactical proposals for creating a new Interreg VI-A EMR programme that enjoys the necessary support. A significant part of this involves formulating scenarios and assessment criteria for development, support, and fine-tuning of the current programme and drawing up advisory memoranda and policy proposals, as well as ensuring a tactical-operational interpretation of the objectives formulated.

It is also very important to be able to evaluate the administrative, regional, and cross-border relationships and the administrative/political and technical feasibility of project results.

To assist with these assignments you can make use of an external agency with three experts who can be hired on an ad hoc basis for a limited number of hours (on call).

Working for the Province of Limburg is surprisingly different

Working for the Province of Limburg means working to promote the welfare and prosperity of Limburg and its people. Our shared mission is to achieve results that have impact. The Province of Limburg is growing towards an open, learning governmental organisation within which professionals have the scope to pursue innovations in cooperation with relevant partners. This requires employees to shoulder responsibility for their own development. The Province provides strong support for personal development and expects its employees to take initiatives and make efforts in that regard.

We ask

• A broad academic knowledge – both substantive and process-related – of how policy operates in relation to relevant/associated policy areas and related legislation and regulations, both nationally and at European level;
• Communicative and advisory skills; a results-oriented approach to work; client focus and the ability to withstand stress; the core values of flexibility, decisiveness, transparency, cooperation, and ability to function in a healthy work environment;
• A thorough knowledge of, and experience with, Interreg programmes and relevant European legislation;
• Good negotiating skills, with the ability to make a clear distinction between persuasion and negotiation;
• Oral and written proficiency in English and at least one other Euroregion language.

We offer you

• A gross monthly salary (based on a 36 hour working week) of between EUR 3506.28 (minimum) and EUR 5008.99 (maximum) in salary scale 11 (depending on age, education, and experience);
• An Individual Choice Budget (ICB) of approx. 22%, including holiday allowance (8%), and a structural year-end bonus (8.3%). This budget comes on top of your fixed salary and can be paid when you need it. You can also use it, for example, to purchase a bicycle, sports subscription, or extra leave;
• A personal education/training budget of EUR 5000 for a five-year period;
• An employment contract until the end of 2023.

Applying for the Interreg Policy Officer vacancy

We would like to receive your application before 7 July 2020. Please e-mail it to solliciteren@prvlimburg.nl for the attention of the Provincial Executive, Personnel and Organisation Department [College van Gedeputeerde Staten, Personeel en Organisatie], stating vacancy number 2020EMR01.

The selection procedure may involve an assessment.

If you would like to know more about the vacancy, please contact (without any commitment) Mark Vos, EMR coordinator, EMR Cluster, on +31 (0)6 46 62 47 92.

Other information

At the end of the selection procedure, we will ask the selected candidate to apply to their municipality for a Certificate of Good Conduct [Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, “VOG”] and, after obtaining the approval of Justis, to submit it to us.

The integrity risk profile applies to this position.

Representatives of the cluster will be involved in the final phase of the procedure.

this job offer is not open for applications