Vacancy: Democratic Practice Expert (Net Zero Cities team)

Location: Brussels, Berlin or Vienna

Contract: 24 months, with a view to extend - full time preferred

Salary: 45 500 - 48 300€ depending on experience

About the Role

We are a partner of the NetZeroCities (NZC) programme in support of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. We are now looking for a democratic practice expert, with the ability to engage in local government and with consortium partners – with a commitment to strengthening democratic climate action.

At NetZeroCities we are working as pioneers on the intersection between sustainable transition, urban planning and democratic design. NetZeroCities is designed to enable European cities and citizens to show the way forward towards an inclusive, thriving, climate resilient and sustainable future. This project builds upon the climate and democracy work Demsoc carried out together with partners in 15 cities in the past two years.

A big part of your work will focus on - together with a wider team of city advisors, city specialists and city support officers - supporting cities in their process towards climate neutrality. Building on existing knowledge in the field, you will be asked to ensure principles and standards around engaging people in decision-making processes are upheld.

We highly value teamwork, within Demsoc and with partners. Ideally, the practice expert will be based in Brussels to seize the opportunity of engaging with the ongoing Demsoc projects and colleagues.

Responsibilities

As a democratic practice expert

Support cities in systemic transformation by designing and implementing diverse approaches to facilitate, catalyse, connect, and coordinate the engagement of a plurality of actors to enable cities to activate an inclusive ecosystem for Impactful City Portfolios towards Climate Neutrality
Support different cities to ensure high-quality democratic practice is enabled in their transition towards Climate Neutrality, supporting the rest of the team to ensure the success of the project alongside a wider team of city advisers and experts.
Facilitate the integration and understanding of network and collective action practices, network values and wider democratic practice approaches to all city support teams, cities mission teams and partner organisations
Build on existing knowledge and standards in the field to support cities with on how to engage citizens on climate action
Independent management of relationships, stakeholders and processes alongside the wider team

As part of the wider Demsoc team

Supporting the strategic development of Demsoc
Work more widely with other colleagues on strengthening democracy
Share NZC learnings with the wider Demsoc team
Work more widely in our teams on democratic climate governance
Ensure climate projects uphold the highest standards of democratic practice

Essential Competencies

Extensive proven ability in democratic participation (e.g. setting up or facilitating deliberative democracy processes, long-term engagement of citizens, inclusion of hard to reach communities, change management, collaboration with social movements, designing or delivering innovative engagement methods, supporting open governance practice, stakeholder management)
Proven ability in building and nurturing networks, working on systemic transformation and building coalitions, or communities of practice that encompass a range of perspectives, cultures, lived experiences and backgrounds, including experience growing an online/offline community.
Excellent knowledge of citizen participation methods and ability to strengthen local governance, based around this knowledge
Be familiar with current debates around transition management, climate action and climate justice.
Deep knowledge of the democratic practice discourse in the wider field
Ability to work in a team of Demsoc colleagues and with partners of NetZeroCities, as well as city leaders to reach the set goals.
Ability to represent Demsoc in meetings with partners or local government
Ability to work remotely and flexibly, with some international travel as required
Organisational skills and a delivery mindset
Strong personal commitment to democracy and our core values of openness, equality and internationalism
Full fluency in English - professional working level knowledge of other European languages an advantage

Equality, access and diversity

Demsoc is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes all suitably skilled persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, faith, sexual orientation, education or age. We are a multilingual and multicultural organisation, working internationally and actively working to ensure our team reflects the communities and places we serve.

How to apply

Please send your application (CV, a 2-page max Cover letter) to recruitment@demsoc.eu before 0900 Brussels time on 15 March. We are planning to hold interviews on 20 and 21 March with the intention of bringing someone in as soon as possible.