Call for tender – research and project coordination

This tender has been completed

Basic Information

Call

FEPS together with its partners – CEVEA (Denmark), ARENA (Sweden), FES Nordic Countries Office (Germany, with the office in Stockholm) are looking for a Research and Project Coordinator for a contract running from September 2023 to May 2024  for a new joint project “Can the European progressive centre left gain voters from populist right parties if sociocultural issues, notably immigration, are redefined in socio-economic terms?” 

The Call, therefore, presents itself as an excellent opportunity for those aspiring to gain professional experience working within a consortium of European progressive think tanks, allowing the successful candidate to augment her/his research experience, as well as project management operational skills. 

Project

The project “Can the European progressive centre left gain voters from populist right parties if sociocultural issues, notably immigration, are redefined in socio-economic terms?” is conceived to help social democratic parties determine the answers regarding the following pertinent questions:

• Do Social Democratic Parties in Denmark Sweden and Germany still have ownership over redistribution issues and economic equality (‘old’ politics)? 
• To what degree are voter preferences aligned with social democratic positions on redistribution issues? Which voter segments share traditional social democratic values and policy positions? Which segments challenge them?
• Do populist parties on the political right own socio-cultural issues such as immigration (‘new’ politics)? What is the image of Social Democratic Parties on these issues?
• How does the framing of socio-cultural issues such as immigration and climate influence voter preferences and party support? Do alternative frames influence the degree to which immigration and other socio-cultural issues polarize voters?
• How much do social democratic positions on ‘old’ and ‘new’ politics issues influence voter support? How do voters from traditional coalition parties respond to different social democratic policy positions on ‘old’ and ‘new’ politics issues? What is the vote-maximizing strategy?    

To that end, the project is going to entail:

1. Desk study with the review of existing literature
2. Qualitative research (comparing party programmes and manifestoes)
3. Quantitative research (analysing the data originating from the commissioned surveys)

The project focuses on how different framings of immigration and other socio-cultural issues influence  the electoral support for social democrats and competing parties in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. As such it seeks to provide more knowledge about the ideological, political, and strategic choices that progressives face. The project will not provide recommendations about concrete aspects of the migration and asylum policies on the EU and/or national levels.  

Role of Research and Project Coordinator

The position of Research and Project Coordinator for this project entails responsibility for:

1. Organisational coordination among the partners, stakeholders, researchers, including the responsibility for organising internal communication, adequate flow of information and documentation of all the steps of the process
2. Implementation of the subsequent phases of the project (as directed by the jointly agreed outline and directly requested by the Project’s leaders)
3. Conducting the desk study mapping the context for the respective Member States in which the surveys will be conducted
4. Preparation of the surveys and coordination with the tertiary polling institute(s)
5. Coordination and drafting of the partial and final report, alongside the materials featuring policy recommendations
6. Preparation of the final study and coordination of the (peer) review, alongside the experts’ group meetings (if required)
7. Preparation and conducting of the final event together with FEPS staff 
8. Support in preparation of the dissemination and communication strategy for the outcomes
9. Partial financial management of the project

The research and project coordinator will report to the project leaders in partner organisations.

Profile of the candidates

• Minimum master’s degree in social sciences (political sciences, sociology, or economy). Academic track record of further research in the field of democracy, political behaviour, voters, and party politics is a strong asset.
• At least 2 years of experience working with/within political think tanks or other research institutions is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in quantitative research methodologies, especially in survey construction and analysis Experience in conducting conjoint experiments is an asset
• Knowledge about contemporary political affairs in Denmark, Sweden and the dimension of the EU transnational politics 
• Proven ability to conduct project management 
• Proven experience in the project-related financial management 
• Proven skills that are essential for designing a dissemination and communication strategy (social media campaign,)
• Proficiency in English and minimally one of the two following languages: Danish and/or Swedish. Knowledge of German is an asset.
• Commitment to progressive values of equality, solidarity, and social justice
• Eagerness to work in a team, as also openness and interpersonal skills that enable working in a multi-cultural environment

Timeline

How to apply?

Please submit your applications latest by noon Brussels time on 23^rd July 2023 addressing them to the Project Steering Committee:

Ania Skrzypek, Director for Research and Training at FEPS 

Sending the complete application to:

Mrs Céline Guedes, FEPS Project Officer at celine.guedes@feps-europe.eu 

The application should consist of the following documents (in English):

• CV with a list of publications
• Motivation letter of 1 page (standard font of 12, 1,5 spacing)
• A 350-500 words essay on the topic “Centre left in Europe and its narrative towards migration in recent years”

The Steering Committee reserves the right to invite shortlisted applicants for an interview.

FEPS, CEVEA, ARENA, and FES Nordic Countries Office are committed to equality, equal opportunities, equal treatment, fairness, and transparency in the recruitment and tendering processes. 

For any questions

Mrs Céline Guedes, FEPS Project Officer at celine.guedes@feps-europe.eu