About EMA
Call for Applications: Elections for the EMA President and Vice President 2023-2025
Final Election Results
The EMA President and Vice President were elected during the 17th EMA General Assembly in Lisbon on 14th May 2023.
Dr. Md. Ashiqur Rahman was elected EMA President (2023-2025). He received 96.4% of the votes. Ruturaj Trivedi, the Vice -Presidential candidate was elected receiving 63.4% of the votes. We wish both, Dr. Md. Ashiqur Rahman (President) and Ruturaj Trivedi (Vice President) the best of luck for their presidency. We want to thank all other candidates who brought themselves forward to take on the roles.
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The voting process of the final two President & Vice-President candidates was done by all EMA “Ordinary” Members that attended the 17th EMA General Assembly, 2023.
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We are still looking forward to receiving applications for EMA's Management Board (more information here, Deadline extended: 31 May 2023). ​
Online Debate and Q&A Session for EMA Elections 2023-25
We are thrilled to announce the Online Debate for the EMA Presidential Election 2023-25.
The hour-long Online Debate and Q&A session was held on Saturday, 22 April 2023. You can watch the recording here if you missed it or want to relive the highlights.
For questions or comments regarding the Online Debate or the elections, you can contact elections@em-a.eu.
Publication of Eligible Candidates for President and Vice President Positions
We have closed our call for EMA President and Vice President Applications and are ready to announce the successful candidates.
We received four (4) applications in total, one (1) for the President position and three (3) for the Vice President position. However, only three (3) of them met the eligibility criteria and will proceed to the next phase of Presidential/Vice-Presidential Elections. The candidates will have until 30th April to campaign for their respective positions. You can learn more about your future EMA President and Vice President here.
All EMA members are invited to watch the online election debates and ask questions to the candidates during the online Q&A/debates which will be organised during April 2023. The final debate and Q&A session will occur during the EMA General Assembly 2023, where the GA Attendees will vote to elect the President and Vice President of EMA for the term 2023-2025.
All positions will be subject to voting regardless of the number of candidates, in accordance with our statutory procedures and confirmation of candidacy by the GA Attendees.
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Deadline Extended
Time went by fast - and we would like to allow everyone sufficient time to consider and submit their application as EMA's next President or Vice-President. As a result, the Elections Committee has decided to extend the application deadline to March 12th, 2023, in order to encourage more candidates to apply.
If you are interested in applying for the positions, please read below for more information on the candidate profile, application requirements, and the electoral policy and guidelines.
We look forward to receiving your application by the extended deadline of March 12th, 2023.
President
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Position: President of EMA AISBL
Duration: 2 years (July 2023 - June 2025)
Location: Remote with semestrial physical board meetings and potential travel opportunities around the world
Type of Position: Voluntary Position
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The President is the primary representative of EMA and is hereby endowed with the power to represent EMA in all aspects. S/He is responsible to provide strategic leadership and to coordinate all activities of the association. S/He is accountable to the whole EMA community. In consultation with the Management Board (and Advisory Board), the President sets short and long-term goals to ensure EMA is a mission-centred and outcome-oriented organisation.
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The position is voluntary and includes many personal and professional development opportunities including external representations across the world.
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Responsibilities
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Lead EMA’s Management Board, its respective units and members and the Association as such -
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Develop and support the Management Board, to allow them to carry out their governance functions, whilst keeping everyone informed of significant developments and changes in the internal and external environment;
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Closely interact and work with the Vice-President to achieve the Association’s aims;
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Liaise with the Chair of the Advisory Board to ensure the Advisory Board’s directives, policies, and resolutions are carried out;
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Support the clear vision that is shared with EMA members in order to provide unity within the organization and implement the community needs based on the ever-changing external circumstances;
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To provide a platform to develop leaders and changemakers and commit to promoting the sustainable development goals pertaining to EMA’s aims and vision and the organizational culture;
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Ensure effective external communications about the organization and its mission, priorities, importance, programs, and activities;
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Contribute towards EMA’s visibility to the commonality as well as the academic community;
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Champion the Association and advocate for its mission to internal and external stakeholders;
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Support and maintain beneficial relationships with donors, funders, supporters, collaborators, allies, vendors, and other stakeholders with high ethical standards.
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Candidate Profile:
Requirements
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2+ years of proven track record of volunteering/professional experience in the areas of organizational strategic planning processes, Higher Education, International Relations including EU, Organization Development, Youth and Capacity Building and other relevant fields;
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Long-term engagement and commitment with EMA;
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Experience with remote work;
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Proven team management experience, strong organisational, and leadership skills;
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Strong computer skills, especially with Google Suite and other online communication tools (e.g. Slack, Asana, or other office/project management tools);
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Expectation and preparedness to attend several meetings per month.
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Able to devote sufficient time (approx. 8-10 hours/week) to the duties of the position.
Preferred
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Ability to learn quickly and have an innovative mindset;
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Structured, analytical, proactive, solution-oriented;
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Positive attitude, flexibility, and creativity;
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Excellent in communication and managing mailbox and promptly responding to emails and other communications;
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An advanced level of written and spoken proficiency in English;
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Cross-cultural competence - cognitive, affective, and behavioural skills to lead a multicultural community.
Potential Benefit
The position is on a volunteer basis, and you will be able to:
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Gain international multidisciplinary experience in non-profit organization management;
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Develop a strategic mindset and leadership skills;
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Develop a profound understanding of EU Higher education and political landscape;
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Contribute towards addressing societal challenges and be a positive influencer;
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An inclusive, multicultural, and friendly work environment;
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Access to a unique network and other services;
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Occasionally, sponsored international travel when required for meetings or events, such as the EMA General Assembly, ESAA Capacity Building Training, seminar, and so on.
Application Requirements
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Proof of approval as an Ordinary member from the community portal;
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CV / Resume stating only relevant experience for the position;
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Motivation letter (max 500 words);
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Presentation deck (max 5 slides, About yourself, Motivation, Plan for 2 year);
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Video/Audio pitch (maximum 2 mins):
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What do you plan to contribute to EMA?
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How do you want to lead EMA and the Management Board?
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What is your leadership style - what type of leader are you?
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Two (2) Recommendation letters containing contact details (e-mail and phone number)
Please read EMA’s Statutes and Internal Regulations to ensure you understand your rights and full scope of responsibilities of the position. Please visit the EMA Website to learn more about EMA’s structure, and have a look at EMA Electoral policy and guidelines, to know more about candidacy, campaigning, selection/pre-selection, voting, and other aspects related to the presidencial elections.
Please note that, only an “Ordinary” Member can apply as a candidate for the President or Vice President and vote in the elections during the General Assembly, in the manner as prescribed in the Internal Regulations.
Submit your application here!
Call for Applications - EMA Presidential Team (President & Vice President)
Vice President
Position: Vice President of EMA AISBL
Duration: 2 years (2023-2025)
Location: Remote with potential travel opportunities around the world
Type of Position: Voluntary Position
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​The Vice President is responsible to provide administrative leadership and coordinates administrative and supportive activities of EMA. S/He reports to the President. In consultation with the Management Board (and Advisory Board), the Vice-President sets short and long-term goals on administrative and support units to ensure the EMA is mission-centered and outcome-oriented.
The position is voluntary and includes many personal and professional development opportunities including external representations across the world.
Responsibilities
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In collaboration with the President, lead the EMA’s Management Board, its respective units and members and the Association as such;
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Develop and support the Management Board, to allow them to carry out their governance functions, whilst keeping everyone informed of significant developments and changes in the internal and external environment;
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Closely interact and work with the President to achieve the Association’s aims, and ensure overall focus lines and projects;
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Develop, implement, monitor and assess standard operating procedures and guidelines documents;
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Supervise the creation of necessary legal internal documentation;
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Monitor and assess sound and compliant financial management practices (including budgeting, and fundraising practices);
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Contribute towards the development of EMA’s volunteers;
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Support the organisational culture within the Association for the betterment of our members and the society in general;
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Develop and maintain beneficial relationships with donors, funders, supporters, collaborators, allies, vendors, and other stakeholders with high ethical standards;
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Support effective external communications about the organisation and its mission, priorities, importance, programs, and activities.
Candidate Profile Requirements
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2+ years of proven track record of volunteering/professional experience in the areas of organizational administrative and support activities planning processes, Volunteer Management, Project Management, Human Resource Management, Administrative Management, International Relations including EU, Organization Development, and other relevant fields.
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Long-term engagement and commitment with EMA;
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Strong organisational skills;
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Experience with remote work;
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Strong computer skills, especially with Google Suite and other online communication tools (e.g. Slack, Asana, or other office/project management tools);
-
Able to devote sufficient time (approx. 8-10 hours/week) to the duties of the position.
Preferred
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Proven team management experience, communication, and leadership skills.
-
Positive attitude and flexibility.
-
Excellent in communication and managing mailbox and promptly responding to emails and other communications;
-
Expectation to attend several meetings per month;
-
An advanced level of written and spoken proficiency in English.
-
Cross-cultural competence - cognitive, affective, and behavioural skills to lead multicultural community.
Potential Benefit
The position is on a volunteer basis, and you will be able to:
-
Gain international multidisciplinary experience in non-profit organization management;
-
Develop a strategic mindset and leadership skills;
-
Develop a profound understanding of EU Higher education and political landscape;
-
Contribute towards addressing societal challenges and be a positive influencer;
-
An inclusive, multicultural, and friendly work environment;
-
Access to a unique network and other services;
-
Occasionally, sponsored international travel when required for meetings or events, such as the EMA General Assembly, ESAA Capacity Building Training, seminar, and so on.
Application Requirements
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Proof of approval as an Ordinary member from the community portal;
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CV / Resume stating only relevant experience for the position;
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Motivation letter (max 500 words);
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Presentation deck (max 5 slides, About yourself, Motivation, Plan for 2 year);
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Video/Audio pitch (maximum 2 mins):
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What do you plan to contribute to EMA?
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How do you want to co-lead EMA and the Management Board?
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What is your leadership style - what type of leader are you?
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Two (2) Recommendation letters containing contact details (e-mail and phone number)
Please read EMA’s Statutes and Internal Regulations to ensure you understand your rights and the full scope of responsibilities of the position. Please visit the EMA Website to learn more about EMA’s structure, and have a look at EMA Electoral policy and guidelines, to know more about candidacy, campaigning, selection/pre-selection, voting, and other aspects related to the presidential elections.
Please note that only an “Ordinary” Member can apply as a candidate for the President or Vice President and vote in the elections during the General Assembly, in the manner as prescribed in the Internal Regulations.
Submit your application here!
Presidential Elections Key Dates
20 January
Call for Applications opens
12 March
Deadline
Candidacy announcement
Shortlisting of eligible candidates & set up interview schedule
Until 30th April
Campaigning period + Virtual debates and Q&A
1 - 12 May
Quiet Period or Preliminary Election (if necessary but not foreseen at this point, unless special circumstances arise)
13 May
Presidential/Vice Presidential debate and Q&A during the GA
14 May
Election day and Official Announcement