Knowledge and research coordinator – Social Affairs

Eurocities

Length of contract
1 year (full time). Position Renewable

About the Organisation

Eurocities, the network of major European cities, won a new 4-year project, enabling us to recruit several people in our Social Affairs team. Eurocities is recruiting a knowledge and research coordinator to contribute to the work of the Eurocities Social Affairs Team. The knowledge and research coordinator will play a pivotal part in collecting, analysing, and managing data and knowledge about the implementation of social policies at local level. The knowledge and research coordinator will make sure that knowledge from our members and from past EaSI projects is accessible, actionable, and leveraged to inform future policies and initiatives. The candidate would ideally start as early as possible in 2026.

Eurocities is a dynamic and international team where we trust in people, value constructive exchanges and collaborative work. We help people thrive in a friendly, open and healthy environment while promoting a work/life balance.

About the role

Eurocities has a dedicated Social Affairs Forum (SAF) that brings together over 150 cities to work jointly to address major social challenges such as employment, skills, housing, homelessness, poverty and social exclusion of vulnerable individuals, or demographic change. The Eurocities’ SAF brings cities together to jointly defend cities’ interest at European level. The forum also offers exchanges of experience, know-how and transfer of innovative solutions among cities. The forum activities are supported by the EaSI operating grant. Thanks to this grant, Eurocities will support over 170 cities in implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and related EU strategies by enhancing their capacities, fostering peer learning, and leveraging data-driven insights to drive policy innovation and contribute to the European Semester. By facilitating training, peer exchanges, and political engagement, Eurocities will enable cities to develop effective policies on critical social issues such as urban poverty, social exclusion, inclusive labour markets and skills gaps, the demographic transition, early childhood education and care (ECEC), social and affordable housing, access to essential services, and equal opportunities.

Responsibilities

As knowledge and research coordinator, you will play a pivotal part in collecting, analysing, and managing data and knowledge (such as good practices, reports, policy trend papers) about the implementation of social policies at local level. You will make sure that knowledge from past and present EaSI projects is accessible, actionable, and leveraged to inform future policies and initiatives. Your work will directly contribute to the design and implementation of robust knowledge management policies and processes at Eurocities, fostering synergies across projects and enhancing the impact of our work to build a stronger Social Europe. You will report to the Head of Social Affairs, and you will work closely with the Projects & knowledge sharing director.

The main tasks will include:

• Knowledge Management: Develop and maintain processes for collecting, organising, and disseminating knowledge and data related to social policy implementation in cities;
• Process Improvement: Identify gaps and opportunities in knowledge management processes; suggest and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and impact;
• Research & Analysis: Conduct research and analysis on social policies, trends, needs assessments, and best practices; use the findings for evidence-policy making in cooperation with the rest of the team. Contribute to the evidence-based inputs for EU social policies as well as the social monitoring reports;
• Data collection: Work closely with our members and the SAF team to gather and share knowledge about the implementation of EU social policies (i.e. European Pillar of Social Rights, EU Child Guarantee, forthcoming anti-poverty strategy, etc) in cities;
• Research coordination and cross-team integration: Coordinate knowledge and research activities within the Social Affairs Team by maintaining an overview of ongoing and planned research tasks, aligning outputs and timelines, and ensuring synergies with other Eurocities teams. This includes connecting social policy research with cross-cutting themes such as the just transition, energy poverty, social economy and digital inclusion, and promoting consistent evidence standards and knowledge sharing across the organisation.
• Content Development: Contribute to reports, briefings, case studies, communication materials and other knowledge products with data and good practices from Eurocities members;
• Capacity Building: Contribute to the development of tools, guidelines, and training materials to strengthen knowledge sharing and learning within the network.
• Strategic Partnerships: In partnership with the policy and research advisor, establishing links and connecting with other knowledge institutitons and think tanks, to ensure the dissemination of new research and knowledge, and the contribution to the debate about EU social policies in cities

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Required Skills :•

• Excellent research and analytical skills, including the ability to summarise complex information
• Excellent understanding of EU policies in social inclusion, inclusive labour market and/or fighting poverty
• Excellent understanding of the EU institutions and the EU decision-making processes
• Good understanding of evidence-based policymaking, challenges and opportunities
• Good understanding of mutual learning and policy transfer methodologies
• Good understanding of urban policies and cities in general, including the role of cities in the EU
• Excellent planning, organisation and coordination skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English
• Problem-solving approach
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of working in a membership association
• Knowledge of digital tools and platforms for knowledge management and collaboration
• Experience in working on EU-funded projects (preferably in the field of social inclusion)
• Other languages

Required Experience:

• A successful track record of at least 5 years of work experience in social inclusion policies in the European context and/or in research and/or in knowledge management or/and data analysis

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in social policies, social sciences, urban development, EU studies or related fields

Compensation & Benefits

• Meal vouchers, pension plan, hospitalisation insurance, public transport costs, 13th month, éco-chèques.

Conditions of employment

• The selected candidate will need to either live in Belgium or be willing to move to Belgium for the contract duration (candidates need to provide a Belgian address).

Working locations

• Part-time teleworking

How to apply

• Applicants are requested to send a letter of motivation, describing point by point their relevant experience and linking it to the requirements for the position, and a CV with at least two referees (including your current or last employer)  to: Patricia de Wouters, People & Operations Director, at [email protected].

• Please send the documents in pdf format and mention ‘Knowledge and research coordinator’ in the subject line.

Interviews

• Interviews will be held in person in Brussels on 10 and 11 December 2025.

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