Communications Officer

ESF is a non-profit organisation that supports European research stakeholders in delivering high quality science in all disciplines through the provision of specialised services, such as evaluating grants and assessing research quality; coordinating, communicating and participating in EC-funded projects; managing co-funded research programmes; and hosting and supporting scientific structures and networks. We operate in the EU and beyond and collaborate with major scientific stakeholders.   

Among these scientific networks, ESF hosts the secretariat for CoARA, the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment: a recent but major research policy initiative gathering 600+ universities, research organisations and associations from Europe and beyond to enable systemic reform of research assessment practices. Its activities are funded by the European Commission, within the CoARA Boost project. Within this context, we are inviting applications for a CoARA Communications Officer.  

As a Communications Officer, you’ll be responsible for developing and implementing communication activities for CoARA in line with CoARA Boost’s Grant Agreement, spanning the entire process from planning to coordinating and implementing the operational tasks, ensuring that the objectives are delivered within budget, on time and to the quality required, and that CoARA’s visibility emerges and increases within the European and global research landscapes.   

Additional contributions to ESF communications and/or interactions with other ESF teams are expected, depending on activities and candidate’s profile.  


This position will involve:

  • Leading the development and implementation of CoARA’s communication strategy;  
  • Developing and maintaining a community of stakeholders involved in CoARA, coordinating and supporting members’ communication efforts;  
  • Regularly engaging with existing and potential members of the Coalition (such as in online and in-person events, General Assemblies...);  
  • Organising communication campaigns and outreach activities (events, webinars, newsletters…);  
  • Developing media relations, including the production of content, management of relations and requests, identification of opportunities to proactively pitch news;  
  • Managing CoARA’s digital presence: developing content, optimising and updating website, assessing performance, performing CMS and plugin updates;  
  • Developing and implementing social media strategy: producing content, engaging with audiences, monitoring success;  
  • Participating in regular meetings, providing advice on the Coalition’s communications;  
  • Reporting to leadership on the Coalition’s communications activities and results.  

The Communications Officer should demonstrate the following competencies: 

Specific technical competencies 

  • Master’s degree in communication;  
  • 5+ years professional experience in communication/science communication at organisation  or project level;  
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, full proficiency in English;  
  • Good knowledge of the European Research Area is an advantage;  
  • Ability to assimilate complex information and communicate concise and clear messages to non-scientific audiences;  
  • Experience in coordinating communication projects with multiple partners. Leading communication activities for EU projects funded under Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe will be an asset;  
  • Experience in developing social media strategies and managing promotional campaigns;  
  • Experience in graphic design and familiarity with edition software (Canva or Adobe Suite). Knowledge in video editing will be considered an asset;  
  • Web management experience; familiarity with CMS software, specifically Wordpress, CSS and HTML.  

Inter-personal competencies: 

  • Proven organisational skills and capacity to deliver on allocated tasks and respond in a timely manner to deadlines;   
  • Excellent communication skills across cultural and scientific boundaries, showing diplomacy and tolerance;  
  • Excellent presentation skills;  
  • Ability to work within a team as well as independently, showing initiative.  

Employment conditions:

  • This position empowers a communications specialist with top-class learning and network-building at a global level in a very pleasant, dynamic and supportive environment.  
  • The position is expected to be full-time (100% FTE) and will start 1 September 2024.  
  • The contract will span 18 months with the potential for extension.   
  • Workplace is at ESF’s Headquarters in Strasbourg, with a certain degree of flexibility and 10 days teleworking per month. The position will involve some travel.  

Please send your application (cover letter + resume in English) by 17 May 2024 to jobs@esf.org quoting the following reference COM24. Interviews will be held in Strasbourg in June 2024.  

The ESF will not discriminate, nor allow its staff to discriminate, against any member of staff or applicant for employment or ex-employee on the basis of gender (including in cases of pregnancy or maternity); age; ethnic, national or social origin; religion or belief; sexual orientation; disability; political opinion; social or economic condition or health.