ICT Business Analyst – Innovation & Funding (Expert)

Location: Brussels, Belgium
Work Model: Hybrid (minimum 1 day/week onsite at Brussels-North office + additional days at Flemish Administrative Centres)
Start Date: 01 July 2026
Contract Duration: Until 31 December 2026
Workload: Approximately 60% (400 days total)
Application Deadline: 03 June 2026

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced ICT Business Analyst – Innovation & Funding Expert to support a strategic innovation and subsidy development programme within a public sector environment focused on nature and forest management.

In this role, you will help identify, structure, and develop innovative project ideas and translate them into well-founded subsidy applications. You will act as a key facilitator between internal stakeholders, external partners, and funding bodies, ensuring that ideas are transformed into high-quality, fundable project proposals.

You will be working within a digital innovation unit that focuses on digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, AI applications, and smart nature initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation & Idea Development

• Organize stakeholder workshops to identify and structure innovation ideas.
• Build and maintain longlists and shortlists of potential innovation initiatives.
• Define scoring criteria and evaluation matrices for idea selection.
• Facilitate prioritization sessions with internal teams and stakeholders.

Business Analysis & Market Research

• Conduct market scans and external research to validate innovation potential.
• Analyze existing solutions and identify gaps and opportunities.
• Translate findings into structured business insights and recommendations.
• Develop concept notes, including KPIs, impact assessments, and financial estimations.

Subsidy & Funding Support

• Prepare and structure subsidy applications for funding programs such as:
  • VLAIO
  • ESA
  • Horizon Europe
• Translate policy and strategic objectives into concrete, measurable project proposals.
• Support end-to-end development of funding applications in collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate pre-consultations with funding bodies to ensure alignment and project fit.

Stakeholder Management & Coordination

• Engage internal departments, external partners, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment across multidisciplinary teams and initiatives.
• Facilitate workshops, alignment meetings, and decision-making sessions.
• Act as the central coordinator for innovation intake and progression.

Reporting & Project Monitoring

• Track progress of innovation initiatives and funding applications.
• Provide structured reporting to the client and relevant governance bodies.
• Ensure documentation and traceability of decisions, evaluations, and project evolution.

Required Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in business operations applied to ICT environments.
• At least 5 years of experience in:
  • Innovation process design and execution
  • Market research and competitive analysis
  • Business process management (BPM)
• Proven experience in stakeholder management within complex organizations.
• Experience in project management disciplines including cost, planning, coordination, and estimation.
• Strong experience in translating strategic objectives into actionable project proposals.

Education

• A Master's degree is required.

Language Requirements

• Native-level Dutch proficiency (CEFR C2).

Technical & Domain Knowledge

• Understanding of innovation processes, digital transformation, and data/AI-driven applications.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with subsidy application writing (e.g., VLAIO, ESA, Horizon Europe).
• Affinity with nature, environmental management, or forestry sectors.
• Experience in public sector or government-related innovation programs.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation experience.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
• Ability to structure complex ideas into clear, fundable proposals.
• Excellent communication and workshop facilitation skills.
• Strong organizational and coordination capabilities.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple stakeholders.
• Results-driven mindset with attention to detail and governance requirements.

About the Context

You will join the Digitalisation & Innovation unit within a public agency responsible for managing and protecting large natural areas and ecosystems in Flanders. The organization focuses on digital transformation through initiatives such as:

• Digital Services: Improving digital interaction with citizens and partners.
• Smart Nature: Leveraging IoT, AI, and data analytics for modern nature management.

This is a highly impactful role where innovation directly contributes to environmental sustainability and public value creation.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid working model with mandatory onsite presence at least 1 day per week in Brussels, plus additional regional office visits.
• Structured reporting and time registration via JIRA.
• Strict workload management with no overrun beyond agreed capacity.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary public sector environment.

Apply Now

Candidates are encouraged to submit applications before 03 June 2026. Due to the tight timeline, early submission is strongly recommended.