Vacancy: Chief Executive Officer (Part-Time)
European Spinal Cord Injury Federation (ESCIF)
Location: Home-based (Europe) with regular travel
Hours: Approximately 14 hours per week
Salary: To be negotiated
Contract: Two-year fixed-term contract (with the intention to extend, subject to funding)
About ESCIF
The European Spinal Cord Injury Federation (ESCIF) is the umbrella organisation representing people with spinal cord injury through member organisations across Europe.
Our vision is a Europe where every person with spinal cord injury has the opportunity to live a full, active and independent life.
Working alongside our member organisations, ESCIF promotes peer support, rehabilitation, advocacy, research, knowledge exchange and collaboration to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injury throughout Europe.
Following the launch of our 2024–2030 Strategy, we are seeking our first Chief Executive Officer to help transform our ambitions into reality.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a growing European organisation.
Working closely with the President, Board of Trustees and Secretary, the CEO will provide the capacity, leadership and coordination needed to implement ESCIF’s strategic priorities.
This is not a traditional management role. We are looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities and bringing people together.
The successful candidate will help strengthen ESCIF’s European network, develop partnerships, support member organisations and increase ESCIF’s influence across Europe.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Deliver the ESCIF 2024–2030 Strategy.
- Build and strengthen relationships with member organisations across Europe.
- Develop partnerships with European institutions, policymakers, NGOs, rehabilitation organisations, researchers and corporate partners.
- Identify and secure new funding opportunities.
- Support the planning and delivery of ESCIF projects, congresses and events.
- Raise the profile of ESCIF through communications, networking and advocacy.
Person Specification
We are looking for someone who has:
- Excellent relationship-building and networking skills.
- Experience working within charities, NGOs, disability organisations or European projects.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience developing partnerships and collaborative projects.
- Fundraising or grant application experience.
- The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
- A strategic mindset combined with a practical, hands-on approach.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Desirable
- Experience working across Europe.
- Knowledge of disability rights, rehabilitation or spinal cord injury.
- Experience of EU funding programmes.
- Lived experience of disability or a close understanding of the spinal cord injury community.
Why Join ESCIF?
This is a unique opportunity to become ESCIF’s first Chief Executive Officer.
You will help shape the future of the organisation, strengthen collaboration between member organisations across Europe and play a leading role in improving the lives of people with spinal cord injury.
Working alongside an experienced and committed volunteer Board, you will help implement ESCIF’s strategy, expand our partnerships and increase our impact across Europe.
How to Apply
Please send:
- Your CV
- A covering letter (maximum two pages) explaining why you are interested in the role and how your experience meets the person specification
- A personal SWOT analysis reflecting on your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in relation to the role
Applications should be sent to:
secretary@escif.org
Closing date: 9:00am (CET), 21 September 2026