WE ARE
The European External Action Service (EEAS), which supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent foreign policy of the European Union. The EEAS supports his tasks of conducting the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his capacity of Vice President of the Commission. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.
EEAS Digital Solutions Division contributes to EEAS business process effectiveness and efficiency in terms of implementing ICT services, tools, and infrastructure by:
- Making available a high-level secure ICT end-user environment that support EEAS end-users in fulfilling their operational targets in both Headquarters and EU Delegations.
- Delivering and maintaining Information Systems in support to EEAS’s activities: construction and maintenance of rich interface applications for desktops and mobile devices, applying high quality standards and development methodology supported by state of the art life development cycle tools.
- Maintaining and developing information and Communication technology infrastructures, tools and services with the appropriate levels of training and security.
The IT Division is made of several teams dealing with Infrastructure & Support, Development of Information Systems, and Budget and Administration. It counts 45+ statutory posts and subcontract part of his activities to external contractors (Helpdesk & First line Support, Second and third line support, WAN management, Developments, etc.).
The Infrastructure Section is composed of 25 officials and 100+ intra-muros experts.
The Operations team in the Infrastructure Section is covering the daily operations, installation, support, troubleshooting, evolution,… of the ICT infrastructure including (non-exhaustive list) one central helpdesk and specific teams dealing with Servers, Storage and Backups, End Points, Network and Security, Proximity teams, etc.
WE PROPOSE
We offer a job of IT assistant with a role of “Operation Manager” in the Operations team to deal in priority with activities related to Datacentre, Servers, Virtualisation, Backup, Storage, Network… for Headquarters.
As an Operation Manager in the Operation team you will be asked to (not exhaustive list):
- To supervise the operational side of the EEAS datacentre environments including follow-up of major incidents, changes, problems, patching, release management and major evolutions of the platform
- To supervise the activities of the team of external contractors in charge of the operation of the datacentre
- To propose, review, update policies in the domain of interest in collaboration with multiple stakeholders (service owners, management, security, etc…)
- To support and control the transition into operations from projects related to the central infrastructure
- To propose projects in the domain of interest that will implement business requirement, taking into account the functional and technical architectures agreed with the IT architects. To participate in these projects, ensuring the operational aspects are properly considered and aiming at an overall result that matches the expectations of all stakeholders
- To organize and/or attend meetings on day-to-day matters related with the IT operation, participating in discussions assessing the impact of changes and making recommendations
- To act as contact point for operational activities in the DataCenter.
- To participate in the selection, guidance and follow-up of sub-contracted staff: work programme, workload, work organisation, schedules, priorities, review of deliverables
- To act as OIA (Operational Initiator Agent) for contractual activities related to the topic (purchases, validations of timesheets, validation of overtimes and on-calls fees, check and validation of invoices, …)
The job is a key position for an experienced technical IT officer looking for a dynamic working environment and challenging projects within a friendly, motivated and supportive team.
Main working languages are English and French.
WE LOOK FOR
We are looking for a dynamic and service-oriented colleague with a solid technical computer science background. In addition to demonstrating very good analytical and organisational skills, the successful candidate will be pro-active and be able to follow the procedures on an autonomous basis.
The ability to build and maintain good human relations within the teams and with our internal customers is essential.
The selected candidate should demonstrate significant relevant experience. Particular experience in virtualisation (Vmware) , storage (Netapp), and data centre operations as well as good knowledge of ITIL principles are valuable assets.
A proven ability to manage and co-ordinate several processes simultaneously is important.
Excellent oral and written command of English is essential and satisfactory knowledge of French is an asset.
LEGAL BASIS
The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS)1, in accordance with EEAS Decision ADMIN(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents
The successful candidate will be offered a contract as Temporary Agent under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) at the grade of AST7
ELEGIBILITY CRITERIA
Candidates must meet ALL of the following general and specific conditions on the closing date for online applications:
- Be a national of one of the EU Member States and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
- Meet any obligations imposed on him or her by the laws concerning military service;
- Provide the appropriate character references as to his suitability for the performance of his duties;
- Have the capacity to work in languages of the CFSP (English and French, in writing and orally). Both languages are required in the performance of the duties. The command of one language must be at minimum C1 level (Language 1 — thorough knowledge) and the command of the other one must be at minimum B2 level (Language 2 — satisfactory knowledge).
- Secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties; OR Relevant professional training followed by at least 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Have a proven track of similar activities with a solid technical background in the field of Data Center activities (Hardware/Racking/Virtualization/Storage/Switching/…)
- Have good knowledge of IT infrastructure management best practices (ITIL)
- Have strong communication and analytical skills combined with sound judgement and pragmatic approach;
- Experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment,
- Have a very good knowledge of the English language and satisfactory knowledge of French (reading, speaking, and writing).
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE2:
The selection procedure will take place in three different and successive steps:
1. Expression of Interest
Expressions of interest should be sent by e-mail to the following functional mailbox
For the purposes of the e-mail application, this post will appear under the subject of the email:
“Application 2020-2-EoI-HQ (AST)-TA2b-AST7-BS3-IT Operation Manager -240854”
Such an expression of interest must be accompanied by
- updated Curriculum vitae. Candidates are invited to use the “Europass” CV format (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae) for their applications.
- a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) in either English or in French;
Applications may be submitted during the period from 02/02/2021 to 16/02/2021 at 12:00 midday (Brussels time). Please note that the only way to submit an application is using the on-line system.
For correspondence concerning the selection procedure, please use the following email address (the e-mail must have in the subject the following title: ” 2020-2-EoI-HQ (AST)-TA2b-AST7-BS3-IT Operation Manager -240854”
2. Pre-selection
The selection panel will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter.
3. Selection
The candidates who have passed the pre-selection step will be invited for an interview so that the selection panel can evaluate these candidates objectively and without prejudice on the basis of their qualifications, professional experience and linguistic skills. Additional specific written or oral tests might be organised by the panel.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
The EEAS is committed to an equal opportunities policy for all its employees and applicants for employment. As an employer, the EEAS is committed to promoting gender equality and to preventing
discrimination on any grounds. It actively welcomes applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and from the broadest possible geographical basis amongst the EU Member States. We aim at a service which is truly representative of society, where each staff member feels respected, is able to give their best and can develop their full potential.
Candidates with disabilities are invited to contact (EEAS-HQ-APPLICATIONS-AST@eeas.europa.eu) in order to accommodate any special needs and provide assistance to ensure the possibility to pass the selection procedure in equality of opportunities with other candidates. If a candidate with a disability is selected for a vacant post, the EEAS is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with Art 1d.4 of the Staff Regulations.
If a candidate with a disability is selected and recruited, the EEAS is committed to appropriate measures in order to accommodate his or her special needs to the working place or working conditions in accordance with Art 1d(4) of the Staff Regulations.
APPOINTMENT:
The selected candidate will be recruited as temporary agents under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS), in accordance with EEAS Decision ADMIN(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents
The selected candidate will be required to undergo a medical fitness examination in accordance with Article 13 of the CEOS.
Candidates shall have a valid Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) allowing them to access information classified at the level “SECRET UE/EU SECRET” or will be required to undergo the corresponding security vetting in accordance with the EEAS security rules3. In case the successful candidate does not obtain his or her PSC, his or her engagement will be terminated.
In case of positive results on the medical fitness examination and after assessment of the PSC conditions, the candidate will be offered a contract as Temporary Agent, Grade AST-7 4 for a duration 4 years renewable only once for another 2 years.
All member of the temporary staff shall serve initially a nine-month probationary period in accordance with Article 14 CEOS.
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Brussels, Belgium
POST AVAILABLE: immediately
CONTACT
Thierry GIJSELINCK – Operation Manager (+32 2 5484 6348)
Email: Thierry.Gijselinck@eeas.europa.eu
The closing date for submissions is 16/02/2021 at 12:00 hours (Brussels time).
1 Staff Regulations of Officials (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). For reference, see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1570023902133&uri=CE…
2 Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) 2018/1725. The privacy statement is available on EEAS webpage: http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm
3 In accordance with the Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 19 September 2017 on the security rules for the European External Action Service, ADMIN(2017) 10, OJ C 126, 10.4.2018, p. 1, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2018.1…
4 The basic salaries offered by the EU institutions are set out in Article 66 of the Staff Regulations. The current level, can be accessed via the link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:2020:428:FU…