Job Purpose The ECFR Asia programme analyses the geopolitics of Asia and the relationships between Europe and the key countries of Asia, especially China. The programme seeks to support a more coherent European policy toward Asia, making the case for strong European engagement with Asian partners and a coherent approach to China. The programme focuses on deepening Europe’s understanding of dynamics across Asian states and strengthening European policy approaches on security, economic, climate, and global governance challenges. As the Asia Programme Director, your role will be pivotal in driving this mission forward. You’ll be tasked with setting the substantive agenda for the programme, leading and mentoring the team of policy fellows and staff and ensuring successful fundraising and donor management. You’ll expand ECFR's Asian network, fostering deeper cooperation with other ECFR programmes and furthering meaningful, engagements across Europe and Asia. This is a unique opportunity to lead efforts in shaping Europe’s approach to Asia while making a significant impact on European policy. Main Responsibilities Provide intellectual and managerial leadership for the programme, formulating its research, advocacy, and fundraising priorities, in consultation with the policy staff and senior management. This includes management of budgetary issues; Lead and manage the team of policy and operational staff with a willingness to prioritise supporting the growth and development of the programme team; Conduct research, provide analysis and develop policy initiatives on key issues related to the EU's foreign policy toward Asia and China; Regularly publish on the ECFR website and beyond; Build, expand, and maintain outreach with policymakers in European governments, EU institutions, as well as across Asia and with and other relevant stakeholders, including ECFR Council members; Raise programme funds and manage relations with existing donors; Represent ECFR externally, including by promoting ECFR's work in the media. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed to support overall ECFR organizational priorities. Person Specification At least seven years of direct experience of working in/on the Asian region, with strong knowledge of European foreign policy toward Asia and China; Able to set out a clear vision of programme’s mission and drive team’s progress towards it; Sound understanding of the EU and EU foreign policy; and ECFR’s mission beyond the Asia programme. Binds the team into organizational goals as a member of ECFR’s management team; Direct policy experience working in a diplomatic service, international institution, or related fields such as journalism; Experience of successfully managing a team of experts in a goal oriented way, with a restless drive to improve the way the team work together, and a personal interest in performance management of direct reports; Instils a culture of creativity in the team, and takes responsibility for not only success, but also when things go less well on all aspects of the teams' work, from policy innovation to strategic planning, to organizational, personnel and budget management; Anticipates, and prepares for change as a team leader Track record of devising policy proposals and implement advocacy strategies, which include regular engagement with officials and the media, including social media; High standard of written and spoken English and a proven ability to speak in public; Experience of successfully raising funds from both public and private donors; Proven experience in maintaining and developing a substantial network across Europe and Asia; Skills and Abilities Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster positive relations and work with a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team demonstrating high levels of motivation and encouraging that in others; Leadership and teambuilding skills, communicating the team’s mission effectively, and building consensus around delivering it. A supportive, motivating manager, prepared to mentor staff to drive up performance; Strategic thinker and results-driven with high focus on delivering actionable outcomes. Flexibility, with the ability to multi-task and work towards deadlines, to manage stressful situations and operate in an ever-changing and dynamic environment; including managing the team members’ role within that; Excellent communication skills with the ability to distill complex issues into clear, persuasive messages, and adapt them to a variety of audiences. Willingness and ability to occasionally travel and to work some irregular hours What we offer Convenient office location at on e of our ECFR offices in Europe (Berlin, Rome, London, Madrid, Warsaw, Sofia, Paris). Stimulating and open work culture at an innovative and renowned pan-European think tank with partly hybrid work opportunities that allow flexibility while maintaining productivity and collaboration. Opportunity to collaborate with highly motivated and committed colleagues from diverse backgrounds across Europe, within an organization that holds a distinguished position and wide recognition within the think tank world. To Apply and Next steps If this is of interest, we look forward to receiving your application! Please use the apply button to submit your cover letter and CV (max. 2 pg. and pdf format). Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU or UK. We aim to inform you promptly about the status of your application. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly with the details about next steps in the process. We care about your data privacy. If you are interested to know more about how we manage your personal data, you can find more information in this link: https://ecfr.eu/privacy-job-applicants/ ECFR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. STRICTLY NO AGENCIES PLEASE About us The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) is an award-winning international think-tank that aims to conduct cutting-edge independent research on European foreign and security policy and to provide a safe meeting space for decision-makers, activists and influencers to share ideas. We build coalitions for change at the European level and promote informed debate about Europe’s role in the world. In 2007, ECFR’s founders set about creating a pan-European institution that could combine establishment credibility with intellectual insurgency. Today, ECFR remains uniquely placed to continue providing a pan-European perspective on some of the biggest strategic challenges and choices Europeans need to confront, with a network of offices in seven European capitals, over 90 staff from more than 25 different countries and a team of associated researchers in the EU 27 member states. For more information check our website: ecfr.eu