The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is the leading organisation for Earth, planetary, and space science research in Europe. With our partner societies worldwide, we foster fundamental geoscience research, alongside applied research that addresses key societal and environmental challenges. Our vision is to realise a sustainable and just future for humanity and for the planet. The EGU Outreach Committee are looking for a consultant to support the design, delivery and initial assessment of an online EGU Mentoring Programme. The program will support the professional development, networking and inclusion of EGU members beyond the existing conference-based peer-support activities, providing them with opportunities to develop meaningful mentoring relationships, exchange knowledge and experiences, and receive guidance tailored to different career stages and professional needs.

The first programme implementation will take place in 2027, in collaboration with the contracted consultant and the EGU Officer for Mentoring and Outreach. The programme will establish the objectives, structure, guidance materials, and an assessment approach for the mentoring scheme. The programme is intended for small numbers of participants (max 30), with group activities with a mentor-mentee ratio of 1 to 2-3 max. We are seeking an experienced and creative consultant to help us develop, support delivery and evaluate the pilot programme, with the following deliverables required:

Deliverables 

• Develop the structure and implementation framework (e.g., recruitment, matching, mentoring activities and participant support) for piloting an EGU Mentoring Programme, liaising regularly with EGU contact points for guidance and approval.
• Develop materials required for the delivery and promotion of the mentoring programme.
• Support the delivery of the pilot programme, including the organisation and delivery of three online sessions (kick-off, mid-point and final meetings) and engagement activities throughout the mentoring period.
• Develop an evaluation/assessment approach and collect feedback from participants.
• Prepare a report evaluating the pilot programme and providing recommendations for future implementation and scaling.

This new mentoring programme will be developed independently from the EGU's current General Assembly Peer-Support Programme, which focuses primarily on supporting novice conference attendees.

Requirements

Applicants will be required to demonstrate: 

• Awareness of current trends, research and best practices in mentoring, professional development and community-building programmes, particularly within academic or research environments
• Experience in developing, delivering and assessing mentoring programmes or similar professional development programmes (particularly in knowledge transfer to early careers) with demonstrated evidence of practices for inclusion and multiculturalism
• Experience in developing and running online programs, including procedures of online safety for participants in line with EGU policies
• Some experience working with the disciplines represented by EGU's scientific divisions
• Expert command of English
• Ability to liaise effectively throughout the development with EGU Outreach Committee and programme participants
• Ability to work in flexible, imaginative and responsive ways
• Ability to work to a high standard, particularly in relation to attention to detail, drafting, project management, communication and consultation

Application materials

Proposals should be submitted as a single file to outreach@egu.eu by the end of Friday 16 October 2026. This should include:

• 2 pages outlining how the applicant meets the requirements, e.g. a CV
• 2 pages concept note for the proposed mentoring programme and budget breakdown, indicating how the deliverables listed above will be achieved. 

Please include links to previous relevant work where appropriate. Budgets of up to €5,000 total (inclusive of VAT) will be considered. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview by phone / online. Previous applicants (successful or unsuccessful) are eligible to reapply to this call. For any additional information please contact Solmaz Mohadjer, Chair of the EGU Outreach Committee, via outreach@egu.eu. 

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is Europe’s premier geosciences union, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the Earth, planetary, and space sciences for the benefit of humanity, worldwide. It is a non-profit interdisciplinary learned association of scientists founded in 2002 with headquarters in Munich, Germany. The EGU publishes a number of diverse scientific journals that use an innovative open access format and organises topical meetings plus education and outreach activities. Its annual General Assembly is the largest and most prominent European geosciences event, attracting more than 20,000 scientists from all over the world. The meeting’s sessions cover a wide range of topics, including volcanology, planetary exploration, the Earth’s internal structure and atmosphere, climate, energy, and resources.

• Outreach Committee