**The Balkan & Black Sea Commission (BBSC) of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) is looking for a Project & Policy Officer to join its team in Brussels**
## **ABOUT THE OFFER**
– **Job Title:** Project & Policy Officer at the CPMR-Balkan and Black Sea Commission
– **General Description:** The Project & Policy Officer will be working as part of the team of the CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Commission (CPMR-BBSC) with its Executive Secretary, particularly supporting the implementation and drafting of EU cooperation projects. The position will also cover the support to the related CPMR-BBSC policy work and day-to-day activities.
– **Employee’s Position in the Organisation:** This position reports directly to the Secretariat of the BBSC/CPMR (i.e. Stavros Kalognomos and Flora Leroy)
– **Profile:** 2-3 years minimum experience working professionally on EU cooperation projects / programmes and EU policies. Skilled, autonomous and very dynamic person with high predisposition to teamwork in a multilingual context.
– **Type of Contract:** Fixed term Belgian contract
– **Location:** CPMR Brussels Office: Rond-Point Schuman 14
– **Deadline to Apply:** Kindly send your application to [email protected] by the 6th of April at 23.59 (CEST)
– **Interviews:** Until the 24th of April 2026
– **Starting Date:** May-June 2026
– **Total Salary:** 35-38 k gross salary per annum
## **ABOUT US**
The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe is a pan-European political association of around 140 regions in 24 countries in the European Union and beyond. It is both a think tank and an interest group for regional authorities. Since it was established in 1973, the CPMR has been acting to promote a more balanced development of the European territory. Most of its work addresses EU policies with a strong territorial impact, and has a particular focus on Cohesion Policy, the maritime dimension of all EU policies, territorial accessibility, transport, energy and climate change. The CPMR is structured around six Geographical Commissions based around sea basins: Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Arc, Mediterranean, Balkan and Black Sea, and Islands.
The CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Commission is one of the 6 Geographical Commissions of the CPMR. It was established in 2024, further to the merger of the Balkan and Black Sea Commissions of the CPMR. The CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Commission (BBSC) currently brings together Regions from Georgia, Greece, Romania, and Ukraine, and is open to Local and Regional Authorities from the Adriatic-Ionian and wider Black Sea region countries. It aims to support the integration of these areas and improve their relations with the EU in the context of enlargement and represents a forum to address specific issues that are common to the members of this geographical area, which are then voiced at the highest European level. The BBSC is also project-oriented, encouraging and helping the member regions to implement EU-funded cooperation projects.
#### **JOB SUMMARY**
– Coordination and management of the IDRON project activities undertaken by the CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Commission (BBSC). The Project & Policy Officer will work within the framework of the IDRON project, in which the CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Commission (CPMR-BBSC) is a partner with an active role as WP Transfer leader. He/she will implement and coordinate day-to-day the project.
– He/she will also contribute to the daily work of the BBSC monitored by the Executive Secretary of the BBSC. This includes, non-exhaustively, support to the policy work, contribution to the implementation of other future projects and preparation of other EU cooperation initiatives, related to the CPMR-BBSC activities.
#### **JOB DESCRIPTION | Your responsibilities**
### **General responsibilities:**
– Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the IDRON project activities and work packages
– Policy assistance to the BBSC daily work (E.g.: minutes taking, preparation of notes, briefs and updates whenever necessary for the benefit of members, preparation of events, logistical support, JotForm, update of the BBSC website, documents storage etc.).
– Policy assistance to the work of the CPMR Adriatic-Ionian Task Force.
– Residual support (e.g. with dissemination/communication activities) to any other project involving the BBSC.
– Report to and constantly coordinate with his/her supervisors (i.e. Stavros Kalognomos and Flora Leroy) on the development of ongoing projects’ activities.
#### **Tasks & duties linked to IDRON project:**
The **IDRON project** aims to strengthen water resource management and resilience in Mediterranean regions facing increasing droughts and water scarcity. This initiative focuses on developing innovative irrigation systems, smart monitoring technologies, and sustainable agricultural practices to optimize water use.
By fostering collaboration among Mediterranean countries and promoting climate adaptation, the project contributes to environmental sustainability, food security, and the EU’s climate resilience goals.
IDRON’s transnational approach is critical for evaluation and integration of complementary pilot outputs. Eight pilots in Greece, Cyprus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, will implement innovative solutions tailored to local environment and socioeconomics, facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange and technology transfer, ensuring best practices and solutions are scalable in Euro-MED area.
The project focuses on building resilient and sustainable water systems for agriculture by integrating innovative and traditional practices. Through advanced solutions such as aquifer recharge, smart irrigation, wastewater reuse, and rainwater harvesting, IDRON aims to optimize water use, reduce irrigation consumption, and enhance crop resilience and productivity—fostering a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for Mediterranean communities.
#### **Key Duties:**
– Coordinate and monitor the implementation the IDRON project activities and work packages
– Ensure timely preparation and submission of the IDRON deliverables, reports, and documentation
– Support financial and administrative management in accordance with programme rules
– Ensure visibility and compliance with EU communication and branding guidelines
– Support the capitalization and sustainability activities
– Actively support the connection between the project’ related activities and the overall CPMR-BBSC action, IMC works on Water, contributing to its advocacy efforts and improving relations with member Regions
– Report to the CPMR financial department/Senior EU Programmes Officer on projects’ budget elaboration and implementation
## **QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS REQUIRED | Are you the person we are looking for?**
#### **Academic and Professional Profile:**
– a. University degree in Political Science or a relevant field is required.
– b. Management: Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in EU cooperation programs/projects, (preparing deliverables, attending meetings, thematic and financial reports…) is a must.
– c. Project management specialisation is a plus
– d. Knowledge of territorial cooperation dynamics and previous experience with local and regional authorities (or their network) will be particularly valued. High interest/knowledge in regional policies in the BBSC area of interest, and/or water management, climate change, innovation and related EU policies is a plus.
– e. Communication: Knowledge on applied communication (strategies and tools elaboration, implementation, community management), and graphic design is desirable. Ability to translate project results into appealing communication productions depending on the target audience is a plus.
– f. Professional spoken and written proficiency in English and one more fluent or mother language in the area of BBSC is a must. Knowledge/fluency in other languages spoken in the BBSC, with Greek being preferred, is also an advantage.
– g. Dynamism, strong organisational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines, along with adaptability, autonomy, and a strong sense of responsibility in delivering tasks.
#### **Personal Skills:**
– a. Demonstrated communication skills, in particular interpersonal communication, diplomacy, cultural awareness and the ability to present before an audience and relate yourself in several languages.
– b. Strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, tenacity, autonomy and sense of responsibility in task delivery: you are a team player who understands the importance of teamwork, with a positive, proactive and ‘can-do’ attitude.
– c. Strong analytical skills and ability to weigh the various interests against an overall view.
– d. A skilled networker able to build and maintain strong professional relationships and engage stakeholders around a course.
– e. Able to operate effectively in a fast-paced, politically charged environment. Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and handle potential stress efficiently.
– f. Disposition to travel upon relevance for the projects or the needs of the organisation.
– g. Able to plan/retroplan activities in a structured and realistic manner, respect guidelines and meet deadlines, and to prioritise and manage time effectively.
#### **LOCATION**
The position is based in the CPMR premises in Brussels. Regular office presence is required while partial telework is allowed in accordance with the CPMR.
#### **TERMS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT**
The position is offered under a fixed-term project contract under Belgian legislation. The contract will last a maximum of 3 years. The successful candidate is expected to take up duties as soon as possible, ideally by May 2026.
### **SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT**
Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability for the position and qualifications. Though we have our “wish list,” we also want the selected candidate to feel valued and happy in the position. Conversely, our choice will therefore be influenced by the candidate’s motivation and ability to grow and thrive in the position.
## **APPLICATION PROCEDURE**
The application should be sent to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) by **April 6, 2026 – 23.59 (CEST) at the latest**, including a **cover letter** in English and your **CV**, and specify “**Project & Policy Officer – BBSC** ” in the email subject.
Interviews are planned to take place until 24 th April 2026 online.
## **FOR MORE INFORMATION**
If you require further information on the position and tasks you are welcome to contact:
– Stavros Kalognomos [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
– Flora Leroy [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
– Emmanuel Maniscalco [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
#### *DISCLAIMER*
*Please note that applications documents (CVs, cover letters and contact details) will be kept for a period of two years after the end of the selection process, in case other opportunities may arise. Please let us know if you disagree. Your documents will be deleted immediately.*
#### *COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY AND TRANSPARENCY*
*The CPMR is firmly committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants. We value diversity and inclusion and strive to guarantee a transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory recruitment process.*
