About SER-Europe

SER-Europe is the European Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), the global non-profit organisation for ecological restoration. We are a European-wide association with approximately 500 scientific and practitioner members across Europe and 5,000+ globally, including restoration research centres and private companies. We operate as a ‘network of networks’ in collaboration with national restoration organisations across Europe.

Our mission is to foster the exchange of knowledge and expertise among ecological restoration practitioners and scientists from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, and to communicate leading-edge tools, technologies, science, and development opportunities.

SER-Europe is an equal opportunity employer and follows its Gender Equality Plan.

About the Role

Title: Marine Restoration Project Officer (Maternity Cover) 

Contract type: Freelance contractor agreement (one year, maternity cover) 

Location: Remote. The postholder will use their own equipment and office for remote work, with flexibility to travel to meetings, events and partner locations as required, predominantly in NW Europe. 

Reports to: Chief Operations Officer (COO) 

Estimated workload: Up to 130 hours per month

This is a freelance contractor role within SER-Europe’s small professional team. The Marine Restoration Project Officer (MRPO) plays a key role, directly responsible for the quality implementation and timely delivery of SER-Europe’s commitments across several projects with a particular focus on marine restoration. This role contributes to developing marine restoration capacity and competence at SERE in line with the SERE Strategy for 2021–2027.

Note: If you do not meet one or more of the competencies listed below, do not let this immediately put you off. Please contact us to discuss your application further.

Our marine restoration projects

The MRPO is directly responsible for SER-Europe’s participation in three active Horizon Europe projects:

REDRESS (2024–2028) — Restoration of Deep-Sea Habitats to Rebuild European Seas. This project will demonstrate the feasibility, sustainability and value of deep-sea ecosystem restoration and provide public authorities with solutions to plan and upscale restoration operations.

REBORN (2025–2029) — focused on seagrass and coastal habitat restoration in NW Europe, with SER-Europe contributing to stakeholder engagement, knowledge synthesis, training and policy outreach.

Isla Bonita (2026–2030) — a new project in which SER-Europe’s tasks are expected to begin in late 2027; the cover postholder will oversee project initiation at the SERE level.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Horizon Europe project delivery Coordination and responsibility for the implementation of all SERE tasks in REDRESS, REBORN and Isla Bonita, including: establishing and maintaining a network of marine restoration experts among SERE members and external experts; preparing and managing surveys to gather data and expertise; preparing reports and draft deliverables; gathering expert feedback from the Marine Restoration Working Group; and participating in project management processes and decisions.

Marine Restoration Working Group (MRWG) Supporting the COO and Board by coordinating the functioning of the MRWG. This includes organising regular meetings, coordinating taskforces, maintaining the MRWG’s LinkedIn page and website section, and contributing to a rolling annual work programme focused on European marine restoration priorities. With their contacts with marine scientists and practitioners MRPO will contribute to the development of global marine restoration collaboration platforms.

Events Leading the organisation of project-related events including workshops, webinars, technical and training events, and other SERE activities.

Communications and dissemination Producing materials for communication and dissemination to external audiences and SERE members, including coordinating with SER-Europe’s Communications Consultant and SER International staff. Taking ownership of relevant sections of the SER-Europe website and SER-Connect membership platform.

Project management and administration Maintaining an overview of all project management information and collaborating with the Finance and Administration Officer on all administrative and financial matters related to the projects.

Person Specification

Essential:

  • University degree in marine biology or a relevant discipline
  • Professional experience in project management at a research or non-profit organisation
  • Professional level of English (all tasks are conducted in English as the primary language)
  • Proven ability to work independently, with a demonstrable track record of at least three years
  • Demonstrated commitment to nature conservation and restoration
  • Residency anywhere in the EU; this is a remote position with most team contacts and exchanges conducted online, but flexibility to travel to (mostly) NW Europe as required
  • Interest in professional social networks and other forms of communication
  • Experience with database management, software and online tools (please indicate relevant experience when applying)
  • Freelance/independent status or sole proprietor, you will be responsible for paying all taxes and social security according to your national legislation.

Desirable:

  • Training in ecological restoration, preferably in marine environments
  • A second EU language
  • Familiarity with EU nature and marine policy (e.g. Nature Restoration Regulation, Marine Strategy Framework Directive)
  • Experience supporting or coordinating working groups, networks or communities of practice
  • Member of SER-Europe, or willingness to apply for membership upon appointment

Conditions of Contract

The successful applicant will sign a freelance contractor agreement with SER-Europe for the duration of the maternity cover period (September 2026 to August 2027). The estimated workload is 100-130 hours per month. Travel expenses for work meetings are reimbursed in line with the SERE Travel Policy. The postholder will have access to SER-Europe’s shared software and work environment, but use their own work equipment and office for remote work.

How to Apply

Please send the following to Boris Barov at boris.barov@ser-europe.org, using the reference MRPO-COVER-2026:

  • A CV of no more than 3 pages (additional references may be annexed if needed)
  • A short video of 3–4 minutes maximum (recorded on a mobile camera is fine — we will evaluate your talk, not the video quality) or a letter of motivation for this position. Videos may be shared via any cloud tool.

Please indicate in your application membership of or participation in SER-Europe activities to date.

Application deadline and interview dates to be confirmed. We encourage early expressions of interest.