Project Coordinator – Learning and Research

Eurocities is the network of major European cities, comprising more than 200 members, working across a wide range of thematic areas that reflect cities’ priorities.

We are currently recruiting a Project Coordinator to lead the implementation of a strategic project focused on strengthening cities’ capacity to address political polarisation around green policies at the local level.

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 project

This multi-year project focuses on capacity-building for cities to counter political polarisation linked to green transition local policies.

Across Europe, city governments are at the forefront of climate and sustainability action. At the same time, in a global context of political polarisation around climate policies, these actions often generate political tensions, public resistance and polarised debate. Cities need practical tools, stronger democratic practices, and well-prepared political leadership to manage these dynamics effectively.

The project will support three pilot cities in developing and testing approaches that combine:

• capacity-building for local decision-makers,
• participatory and deliberative practices to strengthen public trust,
• innovation in democratic governance at local level, and
• structured reflection on how to reduce polarisation around complex green policy choices.

Through implementation on the ground, peer exchange, and knowledge development, the initiative aims to generate practical lessons and transferable approaches that can support other European cities facing similar challenges.

The project is implemented directly by Eurocities and will run until the end of 2027 – early 2028.

Responsibilities

As Project Coordinator, you will join the Learning and Research Team and play a key role in supporting European cities to deliver trust-based policies for the green transition, strengthen democratic resilience, and equip local decision-makers with the skills and tools to mitigate political and social polarisation around contentious policy debates.

You will lead the overall coordination and implementation of the project, ensuring both operational delivery and strategic coherence, reporting to the Eurocities Academy Coordinator, and working from the Barcelona office.

In this role, you will:

• Project coordination and delivery: ensure effective planning, implementation and reporting of the project, monitoring progress, managing risks and guaranteeing alignment between activities, objectives and expected impact.
• Engagement with pilot cities: act as the main contact point for the three pilot cities, supporting them in implementing and reflecting on participatory and governance approaches linked to green transition policies.
• Strategic dimension: ensure that the project maintains a strong strategic and political focus, contributing to the capacity-building of local decision-makers and integrating lessons into broader reflections on democratic resilience.
• Knowledge development and visibility: Contribute to the development of methodological and policy-oriented outputs, facilitate exchanges and represent Eurocities in relevant meetings and events.

Profile

You are an experienced, proactive, and organised professional with a strong understanding of local public policy, democratic governance, and the challenges cities face in managing the green transition. You are comfortable working directly with cities from different European countries and navigating political contexts.

Required skills and experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• A Master’s degree in political science, public policy, public administration, governance, urban studies, environmental or climate policy, European studies, or a related field.

• Experience working in or with cities, municipalities or local public authorities in Europe.
• Solid understanding of local public policy processes and governance dynamics.
• Experience working on topics related to political polarisation, local democracy, green transition policies, or in other areas related to capacity-building for urban policies.
• Strong coordination and project management skills.
• Ability to combine operational delivery with strategic and political reflection.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Full professional proficiency in English.
• Availability to travel within Europe.

Assets:

• Experience designing or facilitating participatory processes.

• Experience working with elected representatives or senior local decision-makers.
• Experience in training or capacity-building programmes.

• Experience working in transnational partnerships.
• Additional European languages.

We offer

• A full-time employment contract under Spanish legislation, based at Eurocities’ Barcelona office.
• An open-ended contract, linked to the duration of the project (2 years, until the end of 2027 or early 2028).
• Salary between 39.000 € and 47.000 € yearly gross depending on profile and experience
• Flexible working hours and partial teleworking.
• An international, stimulating and collaborative working environment.

Benefits

Meal vouchers, hospitalisation and medical insurance as of the start of the contract, 90€ gross per month of teleworking allowance, training opportunities.

How to apply

Applicants are requested to send a letter of motivation, explicitly describing point by point their relevant experience and linking it to the requirements for the position, in one page maximum, together with a CV with at least two referees (including your current or last employer) by 12:00 on  Wednesday 11 March 2026 to: Patricia de Wouters, People & Operations Director, at [email protected].

Please send the documents in pdf format and mention ‘project Coordinator L&R’ in the subject line.

Interviews will be held on-line on 23, 24 and 25 March 2026.