EFSA SECONDED NATIONAL EXPERTS CALL
EFSA/NS/SNE/2017/01
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy
is opening positions for
Seconded National Experts (SNEs)
All Units and Departments
The call is on-going with no deadline for submitting applications
IS THIS SECONDMENT FOR ME
Are you a qualified civil servant searching for a professional challenge in a stimulating and dynamic EU Agency? Do you want to apply your skills and knowledge to contribute to achieving EFSA’s objectives and strategy? Is your organisation seeking opportunities to cooperate and build synergies with EFSA?
As an SNE you will serve a dual role: you will bring your expertise to EFSA and take back to your home administration the knowledge acquired during your period of secondment, fostering mutual exchange and strengthening cooperation between EFSA and its partners.
Being an SNE in EFSA means you will play an active role in an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of 500 million EU citizens.
EFSA
EFSA employs approximately 450 staff members and its Scientific Committee and Panels engage highly qualified and independent scientific experts. Every position within EFSA plays an important part in creating an inspirational environment in which to work and develop.
EFSA key priorities are:
- Prioritise public and stakeholder engagement in the process of scientific assessment;
- Widen EFSA’s evidence base and optimise access to its data;
- Build the EU’s scientific assessment capacity and knowledge community;
- Prepare for future risk assessment challenges;
- Create an environment and culture that reflects EFSA’s values (cooperation, innovation, openness, independence, scientific excellence).
Your contribution
As an SNE in EFSA you will be actively involved in EFSA’s activities and be part of an enthusiastic and multicultural team. Depending on your expertise and the Unit to which you will be assigned to you may support the work of a Scientific Panel or a network of Member State Representatives, perform data collection, data analysis and risk assessment, be involved in communication and external/internal relations activities and provide assistance to business support activities.
WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU
Working at EFSA
You will have the chance to get experience in a leading scientific EU agency allowing you to develop new competencies and skills in line with your professional aspirations and you will take back this valuable and rewarding experience to your home administration. In addition it will allow your organisation to enhance cooperation with EFSA.
Life in Parma
Parma is an elegant city of around 200.000 inhabitants located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. Its centre is rich of art, parks and treasures from different ages. Parma is famous for its food, wine flavours and its variable surrounding landscape with small villages full of history and liveliness, medieval castles and picturesque countryside. Parma is strategically located between major Italian cities like Milano and Bologna and also within reachable distance to ski resorts, natural parks, seaside and mountains.
Benefits
EFSA also offers flexible working hours, well-being initiatives, training and development opportunities.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
EFSA applies a policy of equal opportunities and does not discriminate on any grounds.
The selection is made on the basis of the eligibility criteria and of the candidates’ competencies with due regard to an appropriate balance of nationality and gender.
A position as Seconded National Expert is offered on the basis of the business needs of the organisation and budget availability.
Steps of the selection procedure
1. Candidates apply electronically via the online recruitment tool.
2. The applications are screened against the eligibility criteria.
3. When a position becomes available, eligible candidates will be screened by EFSA’s units taking into account the candidates’ preferences indicated in the application, their areas of expertise and their competencies.
4. The shortlisted candidates are required to undergo an interview (normally online) for discussing suitability for the role as well as mutual expectations and possible starting date of the secondment.
5. As a result of the interview candidates can be selected, rejected or placed in a reserve list for future positions.
6. For selected candidates the procedure with the National Authority of the Member State concerned or the employer will be started by means of an agreement. The agreement shall state the starting date, the duration of the secondment and the place of secondment. The Permanent Representation of the Member State concerned will be informed.
7. Candidates who receive and accept a secondment offer will be asked to provide a series of documents including a declaration of conflict of interest and a sworn affidavit.
General conditions
• The place of secondment will be specified in the secondment agreement and will normally be at EFSA’s premises in Parma, Italy.
• An SNE may work in any field where his/her services are deemed necessary provided there is no conflict with the interests of EFSA. The SNE shall carry out his or her duties and shall act in compliance with the Authority’s interest.
• The SNE’s employer shall continue to pay his/her salary, to maintain his/her administrative status (permanent official or contract staff member) throughout the period of secondment.
• The SNE’s employer shall also continue to be responsible for all the social rights, particularly social security and pension.
WHAT ARE THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
You must satisfy the following requirements for applying for a secondment position at EFSA:
I. Eligibility criteria
1. Be nationals of a European Union or EFTA Member State or a country with which the Council has decided to open accession negotiations and which has concluded a specific agreement with EFSA on staff secondments, except where the Executive Director grants derogation;
2. Be employed by a national, regional or local public administration or an intergovernmental organisation[1];
3. Have worked for your employer on a permanent or contract basis for at least 12 months before the secondment and shall remain in the service of that employer throughout the period of secondment;
4. Have at least three (3) years full-time experience in administrative, scientific, technical, advisory or supervisory functions at a level equivalent to the post;
5. Have thorough knowledge of spoken and written English and a satisfactory knowledge of a second EU language for the performance of the duties;
6. Meet the character requirements needed for the duties involved (e.g. a sworn affidavit to the effect that you have no criminal record).
II. Selection criteria
1. Experience and Knowledge
Expertise in an area relating to the activities of EFSA and genuine interest and motivation to build partnership with EFSA, hence contribute to enhancing the EU’s risk assessment community.
2. Competencies
i. Working with others: Ability to work cooperatively with others in teams and across organisational boundaries and respects differences between people;
ii. Analysis and Problem Solving: Ability to identify the critical facts in difficult issues and develop creative and practical solutions;
iii. Drive for results: Ability to take personal responsibility and initiative for delivering work to a high standard of quality within set procedures;
iv. Communication in English: Ability to communicate effectively in English at all levels both orally and in writing;
v. Ethics and integrity: Demonstrate overall personal integrity and orientation towards fundamental values of the organisation.
Source URL: https://careers.efsa.europa.eu/jobs/efsa-seconded-national-experts-call-251