Background
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s (EU) 2021-27 Research and Innovation Programme, with a total budget of €95.5 billion. Ireland’s National Support Network for Horizon Europe is led by Enterprise Ireland (EI). It drives diverse and successful participation from Ireland across all parts of the current Horizon Europe programme with a view to achieving a national drawdown target of €1.5bn. The network provides high quality strategic and operational assistance to a diverse range of Horizon Europe clients and stakeholders, including start-up companies, SMEs, large multinational corporations, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), research centres, and individual researchers.
Horizon Europe’s Pillar 2 incorporates Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space programmes. These programmes provide funding support for the development and deployment of green and digital key enabling technologies that are strategically important for Europe’s industrial future e.g. advanced manufacturing and materials, high performing computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), photonics, robotics and automation, chips and semiconductors, secure connectivity and Smart Systems and Networks, automation, simulation, modelling, digital twins, smart materials processing etc.
Role Purpose
The Senior Executive, National Contact Point (NCP), Horizon Europe, Cluster 4 role will be responsible for driving, coordinating and maximising the participation and success of researchers, companies and other stakeholders based in Ireland across Cluster 4’s Digital and Industry components.
The successful candidate will also foster synergies with the Digital Europe Programme, Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) and Joint Research Centre (JRC). The person appointed to the role will work closely with the National Delegates to the Programme Committee in Cluster 4, and other Irish NCPs when required.
Key Deliverables
· Impart a strong proficiency, knowledge, expertise and mastery in digital technologies and its subsectors across such areas as supercomputing, AI, robotics, secure connectivity, cyber security etc.
· Maximise the contribution of Cluster 4 to Ireland’s national Horizon Europe drawdown target. With specific emphasis on Digital and Industry programmes.
· Critically assess, appraise and carry out due diligence on Cluster 4 grant applications, providing adept guidance, expertise and feedback to applicants.
· Increase the depth and breadth of client participation from ICT and other key growth sector areas in line with EI’s current Corporate Strategy and beyond that will meet Ireland’s current and future economic development needs.
· Provide feedback on specific programmes in Cluster 4 to the European Commission, Enterprise Ireland parent Department DETE and other Government Departments e.g. DFHERIS and DECC.
· Work closely with R&I Internationalisation’s Department Manager and team and across relevant Government Departments to ensure optimum strategic alignment of Cluster 4 targets with national strategy, particularly in preparation for the Horizon Europe successor, Framework Programme 10.
· Continuously engage and collaborate with Enterprise Ireland’s internal colleagues across EI’s key growth sectors aligned to Digital and Industry to produce a pipeline of companies and Technology Centres that are well placed and ready to apply to Funding Calls.
· Manage all relevant components aligned to Cluster 4 funding call opportunities for Digital and Industry programmes. This will include creating awareness of and promoting these opportunities to companies, researchers, agency colleagues and intermediaries such as associations and other bodies through regular research office meetings, web-based tools, in-person presentations, Horizon Europe newsletters, published articles and case studies etc.
· Provide knowledge, expertise, advisory and support services to clients, effectively managing and engaging with applicants on all aspects of proposal preparation processes for Funding Calls.
· Communicate projects’ impacts and outcomes as recorded by the European Commission (EC) and regularly analyse Call results data provided by the EC through its portal, adjusting the promotional and support strategy accordingly.
· Foster synergies with the Digital Europe Programme, Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) and Joint Research Centre (JRC).
· Work closely with National Delegates to the Programme Committee in Cluster 4 and other Irish NCPs to ensure maximum impact and results through meetings, presentations, briefings and attendance at same, as well as ensuring delivery of other written contributions, communications and development of mutual learning opportunities on cross-cutting issues.
· Represent Enterprise Ireland at relevant public national and international fora.
· Provide back-up and support to other NCP colleagues within R&I Internationalisation in their Cluster 4 technology areas as required.
· Be a dynamic senior member of the R&I Internationalisation team and the wider Research & Innovation (R&I) Division supporting R&I management and their teams.
· Coach and mentor other team members to strengthen the wider Enterprise Ireland knowledge and expertise in the digital technologies sector area.
Functional Competencies (Key Skills and Knowledge)
· Demonstrated adept knowledge and mastery/expertise in digital technologies and its subsector areas e.g. across areas such as super-computing, AI, robotics, secure connectivity, cyber security etc. is essential. This high level of proficiency gained from working directly in or with companies/organisations in the digital technologies space in a relevant business and/or technical development role capacity.
· Significant demonstrated skills and experience in currently/recently working with or directly in technology companies on their Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) activities is essential.
· An honours degree, or equivalent professional qualification, in a relevant scientific or technical discipline is essential.
· Significant experience in critically appraising, assessing and carrying out due diligence on business development and/or technical projects or proposals e.g. for funding etc is essential, as well as robust experience in providing high-quality detailed feedback and guidance on grant applications.
· An understanding of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scales is necessary, as well as knowledge of Ireland’s research ecosystem and the Horizon Europe programme.
· Proven skills and experience in managing multiple and complex strategic projects at one time and under strict deadlines.
· Exceptional oral and written English communications skills and experience, coupled with strong presentation skills.
· Skills and experience in representing Enterprise Ireland or other organisations at national/international events.
· Knowledge and understanding of international digital and industry technologies trends, European Policy Acts (Net Zero Industries, Raw Materials, AI and Chips) to support disruptive and innovation technologies and services is desirable.
Enterprise Ireland Behavioural Competencies
Results Focused
The ability to remain outcome and results focused with regard to business priorities and organisational goals, monitoring progress and adjusting approach ensuring delivery against the appropriate timescales.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Actively encourages new ideas, experimentation and measured risk-taking, while always being on the look out for opportunities to continuously improve business processes and efficiencies within Enterprise Ireland and client organisations.
Problem Solving and Decision-Making
The ability to be decisive and take tough decisions about clients, people and costs to deliver sustainable results, using the analysis of information and situations to make logical and sound decisions.
Client Focused
The ability to provide an excellent client service focusing on client needs and building and maintaining effective personal and business relationships to advance clients’ objectives and Enterprise Ireland strategy.
Communicating with Impact to Influence Others
Communicates in a manner that will persuade, convince and influence their own staff and others, both internally and externally, in order to motivate, inspire or encourage them to follow a particular course of action.
Teamworking
Co-operates with colleagues, shares information and respects the opinions and values of staff members. Understands the skills, experience and knowledge of staff members and maximises how these can be utilised to the benefit of the department, the organisation and the client.
Embracing & Leading Change
Understands the business agenda of Enterprise Ireland and embraces changes for area of responsibility and for external and internal clients.
Acting / Leading with Integrity
Lives the Enterprise Ireland purpose and values, acting genuinely and with integrity, in a manner that builds trust and engages and motivates others, placing the genuine needs of the client, the organisation, and staff ahead of personal agendas.
Networking
Establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and other networks for the purpose of sharing information.
Developing Yourself & Others
Creates an environment that enables others to excel in terms of job performance.
Salary Scale
€71,532 to €97,314 per annum contributory superannuation, Rising to €103,928 by long service increments
€68,155 to €92,448 per annum non-contributory superannuation, Rising to €98,733 by long service increments
Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the relevant scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Subject to satisfactory performance, increments may be payable in line with current Government Policy.
** Point of entry on this salary scale may differ from the minimum point of the scale if the successful candidate is a current public or civil servant. **
Please note that travel within Ireland and internationally will be part of this role.
Application and Selection Process
The selection process may include short-listing of candidates. The selection criteria will be based on the essential requirements of the position. It is therefore important that you provide a detailed and accurate account of where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements for the position. This should be contained in a short document (template attached - maximum 2 pages) accompanying your CV.
To apply for the position, send a detailed CV and a completed supporting document quoting reference number EI.122.24E to [email protected] to be received on or before Monday, 11th November 2024.
For queries in relation to this role or the application process applicants should contact [email protected]
All correspondence will be acknowledged in writing by the HR Department within 3 working days. Applicants who do not receive an acknowledgement within 3 working days should contact [email protected]
ISSUED BY PEOPLE & CHANGE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2024
Enterprise Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
Recruitment Data Protection Statement | Enterprise Ireland (enterprise-ireland.com)
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