Rector

Job Description

Erasmus University of Rotterdam seeks to appoint a new Rector for the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS). The successful candidate will be an inspiring collaborative leader with the ability to build cohesion within a multidisciplinary and international institute, as well as spot trends and opportunities and raise the position of ISS externally. Moreover, the Rector is part of the strategic team of deans and directors, and will work closely with the Executive Board to develop and implement the strategy and vision of the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR).

Erasmus University Rotterdam aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfill their full potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our successes, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EUR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is an international graduate school of policy-oriented critical social science and one of the largest centres for higher education and research in Development Studies in the world, and the largest in Europe. Founded in 1952, ISS is based in The Hague and offers post-graduate teaching programmes conducted in English at MA and PhD levels. In addition to its teaching and research, ISS is active in the field of advisory and institutional capacity strengthening in development policy. ISS activities are characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, and engagement with partners in the global South, Europe, The Netherlands as well as the city of the Hague. ISS is motivated by a desire to be societally relevant and bring about social change. The majority of ISS students come from the global South. The Institute positions itself as a focal point for the international cross-cultural exchange of ideas and dialogue on issues of global development and social justice in academic and public debates.

General

The Rector of ISS is the chief academic and administrative officer of the ISS and the Chair of the Institute Board. The Rector currently holds ultimate responsibility for the portfolios for engagement (including lobby), finance, and HR (including D&I, social safety, well-being).

The Rector has three main functions:

1. Academic: the rector is responsible for developing and articulating the academic and research profile of the Institute.
2. Leadership: the rector is responsible for the leadership of the organisation, including overall strategy, organisational and financial continuity.
3. Public face: the rector is the public face and chief ambassador of the Institute, particularly regarding lobbying for and promoting the vision and mission of the Institute and ensuring the relevance and social impact of its activities.

The Rector of ISS is appointed by the Executive Board of the EUR. In turn, the Rector has the mandate to appoint the two Deputy Rectors (Research Affairs and Educational Affairs), who together form the Institute Board (IB). The Institute Board is assisted in its responsibilities by an Institute Director constituting the IB-E (IB-extended). Among, others, the IB-E is advised by policy officers, a Business Controller, a Marketing & Communications office, and an HR department and liaises closely with the Institute Council (IC): the representative body (medezeggenschapsorgaan) of the Institute’s staff and students.

Profile

The Rector

• is an academically robust and publicly engaged professor, internationally renowned in development studies’ research and education and with a solid track record in attracting external research funding;
• is a charismatic and visionary leader with proven management and leadership skills, capable of guiding ISS in successfully transforming institutional strategy into practice;
• is an excellent team player with proven communication skills;
• is a networker with proven skills and a clear track record in influencing policy circles in the global South and the global North (including relevant ministries, agencies, and other decision-makers);
• has a strong commitment to the social impact of development studies/social sciences, capacity development, and the role of multidisciplinary approaches to research and teaching;
• has familiarity with the Dutch and/or international Higher education and research environment, organisations, and priorities;
• comprehends fully the relationship between international development, international cooperation, and the opportunities and challenges posed by the changing (inter)national policy developments;
• has a commitment to improving and strengthening diversity and inclusion within the ISS community;
• is fluent in English and (in the case of candidates with no knowledge of Dutch) willing to learn Dutch.

Tasks

The Rector

• formulates and implements ISS strategy and strengthens the national and international impact of the Institute;
• is responsible for providing leadership to the Institute, its staff, and students and stimulates teambuilding processes within the Institute;
• monitors the performance of full professors;
• leads the Institute’s engagement with EUR and the development of its missions, vision, and academic profile within the broader EUR context. The Rector attends the meetings of the EUR Board of Deans (‘College van Decanen’) with the Executive Board (EB), Strategy Board, and the Doctoral Board (‘College voor Promoties’);
• is responsible for maintaining and structuring relationships between the Institute and the outside world. This includes maintaining existing networks and creating new networks in the Netherlands (knowledge partners and ministries), within international development-oriented institutions (e.g., UNDP, ILO, UNCTAD, World Bank, UNRISD) and with other potential partners and sponsors, including those at EU-level and within international organisations;
• represents the Institute externally and takes the lead in branding, marketing, and fundraising;
• deals pro-actively with policy developments and changes in funding policies relevant to ISS;
• maintains and strengthens the position and impact of ISS within relevant political circles both nationally and internationally;
• provides the principal liaison with the Institute Council (IC).

Terms of employment

The appointment shall be for a period of four years, with the possibility of one renewal. The candidate is requested to live in The Hague or its vicinity. The maximum salary is €10.272 gross per month (with full-time employment), with a dean’s allowance, in accordance with salary scale H1 Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities. The compensation package is competitive relative to European salaries and includes several secondary benefits, which include a holiday allowance of eight per cent, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3 per cent, and a generous number of vacation days (41 days per year with a 40-hour working week). A good pension provision and excellent collective insurance options. For more information, please visit: http://www.eur.nl/en/working/eur-employer/employment-conditions.

The International Institute of Social Studies is committed to building and sustaining a community based on inclusiveness, equity and diversity and believes this will contribute to our mission and vision of being the best institute in our field. ISS is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities and nationalities. Given the current composition of the ISS academic staff and priorities relating to staff diversity, the Institute encourages applicants originating from the Global South and applications from minority candidates.

Appointment Process and How to Apply

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver to assist the Selection Committee in the discharge of its duties, both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements of the role and to identify the widest possible field of candidates.

Informal enquiries and questions can be directed to Karina Rinaldi-Doligez on +31 (0) 20 2409 341 or by emailing Karina.RD@perrettlaver.com.

Applications should consist of a covering letter addressing suitability against the person specification and a full curriculum vitae. These can be uploaded at https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies quoting reference 6271. The closing date for applications is 9am CEST on Friday 20th January 2023.

Applications will be considered by the selection committee at the end of January and longlisted candidates will be invited to meet with Perrett Laver at the beginning of February. Shortlisted candidates will be selected by the committee at the end of February. The interviews with the selection committee will take place in March. Selection of and negotiations with the preferred candidate will take place thereafter.

As defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, and our legal basis for processing your personal data is ‘Legitimate Interest’. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website www.perrettlaver.com/information/privacy-policy.

About the Organization

The ISS is an international institute of higher education on social and economic change with a focus on development processes. It was founded 50 years ago by the Dutch universities to assist in the training and further education of professionals, especially from developing countries.