Position Title: Scientific expert
Department/Office: Department. of Technical co-operation, European Public Law Organization (EPLO)
Duty Station: Athens, Greece
Type of Appointment: Short-term contract
Deadline for Application: 29 June, 2026
The EPLO implements a large number of projects funded by the European Union and other international donors, assisting governments and institutions around the world. The main areas of intervention comprise: governance, the rule of law, human rights, public administration, democratization, legislative approximation to the EU acquis, migration circular economy and sustainable development. The position is located within the Department of Technical co-operation of EPLO. The candidate will be involved in the Interreg Euro-MED Project “Making Sustainable Tourism Possible Plus” – MAST Plus.
MAST Plus aims to facilitate the transition of Mediterranean hospitality SMEs towards more sustainable and resource-efficient tourism models, in line with the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism, the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Sustainable Tourism Strategy of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme. Building on the results of the previous MAST Study project, MAST Plus will validate and fine-tune an integrated Sustainability Solution consisting of a Sustainability Protocol, a Self-Assessment Tool, and an Implementation Manual, enabling accommodation providers to adopt sustainability practices in a practical and accessible way. Through coordinated pilot actions, Communities of Practice, and stakeholder engagement activities, the project seeks to overcome barriers related to limited managerial capacity, administrative complexity, and fragmented support ecosystems. Seven territorial pilots across Italy, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro will test the solution under real-life conditions, generating transferable evidence and fostering the uptake of sustainable tourism practices across diverse Mediterranean destinations and accommodation types.
Responsibilities
The candidate is expected to:
• support EPLO’s contribution to WP4 (Ensuring Sustainability & Transferability), including transferability, policy alignment and uptake of the MAST Plus Sustainable Solution
• contribute to Communities of Practice activities, support the organisation of validation workshops, transfer-readiness activities and stakeholder engagement actions
• support the Greek pilot activities
• assist in the preparation of policy briefs, strategic recommendations, reports and communication material related to sustainable tourism, circularity and resource efficiency
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
• University degree on engineering, environmental studies or European studies from an accredited academic institution
Experience
• At least 5 years of professional experience in projects (co-)funded by the European Union related to sustainable green and blue growth and circular economy
• 4 years’ experience in living labs & co-creation methodologies with stakeholders and events’ organization
• Experience in networking with stakeholders in green growth, blue growth and sustainable innovation
• Experience in the creation of policy briefs, policy papers.
Languages
• Fluency (oral and written) in English
Competencies
• Negotiating skills: Developing, fostering and maintaining relationships with relevant public and private stakeholders
• Team Management and Leadership Skills: Capable of promptly and effectively monitoring, coordinating and communicating strategic objectives.
• Knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to particular functional area. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, take initiative, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and achieving results.
• Excellent oral and written communication, writing and presentation skills.
• Setting clear and achievable goals consistent with agreed priorities.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV in English to info@eplo.int, quoting the title of the Vacancy, by 25 June, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.