We are looking for an outstanding professional with strong people management skills and experience in managing and coordinating scientific processes, being able to stimulate innovation and cooperation in a dynamic yet regulated scientific environment.
As an experienced manager you will lead the Biological Hazards & Animal Health and Welfare (BIOHAW) Unit of around 30 persons and coordinate its work programme in line with EFSA’s strategy.
The BIOHAW Unit is part of the Risk Assessment Production (ASSESS) Department, which produces advice, opinions, peer reviews, and technical reports to support EU decision makers in making science-based risk management decisions.
BIOHAW Unit’s mission
- Ensures the provision of scientific advice on all questions regarding biological hazards related to food safety and foodborne diseases, including foodborne zoonoses and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, antimicrobial resistance, food/feed microbiology, food/feed hygiene, and waste management.
- Ensures the evaluation of dossiers in the areas of animal by-product treatments and decontamination substances for food of animal origin.
- Ensures the provision of scientific advice on animal health and welfare issues, including the monitoring, surveillance, prevention and control of diseases, and the definition of welfare standards.
- Supports the work of the Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) and the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW), as well as their Working Groups and Scientific Networks for the assessment of risks and for the development of sectoral methodologies and guidance.
- Provides scientific and technical assistance in the area of biological hazards and animal health and welfare (e.g. monitoring of foodborne zoonotic hazards, foodborne outbreaks of microbiological origin, TSEs and antimicrobial resistance).
You will play an active role in an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of 445 million EU citizens.
EFSA employs over 550 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’s standards and values are driven by ethics and integrity and all staff is expected to act in a manner consistent with its principles, including fairness, transparency and impartiality in work practices and conduct towards other people.
EFSA is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates without any distinction on grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, impairment and disability, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief. All EFSA staff is committed to creating an open and inclusive environment.
As an EFSA staff member, you will have the chance to make a difference to European food safety working in an international and dynamic environment. You will also be able to participate in several valuable networking opportunities across Europe.
To find out more about EFSA, visit us at www.efsa.europa.eu.
Parma is a lively city of around 200.000 inhabitants located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna and ranked as one of the most liveable cities in Italy. Its centre is rich in art, with architecture from different periods and plenty of parks. Parma is famous for its food, surrounding picturesque countryside and medieval castles. It is strategically located between major cities like Milano and Bologna and within reachable distance from ski resorts, seaside and mountains.
EFSA can offer the selected candidate a contract of 5 years with the possibility of renewal.
The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent Grade AD 9 with the basic salary starting from € 8.211 monthly, subject to an annual review of remuneration provided for in Article 65(1) of the Staff Regulations.
WHAT ARE THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS?
You must satisfy the following requirements on the closing date for submission of your application:
I. Eligibility criteria
1. General requirements
• Be national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland or Norway;
• Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by laws concerning military service;
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post;[1]
• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another EU language;
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved.
2. Qualifications
a) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma in life sciences or related areas[2];
OR
b) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma in life sciences or related areas[2], and in addition at least one (1) year of professional experience.
3. Experience
In addition to the above, at least twelve (12) years of proven professional experience[3] acquired after having obtained the qualifications mentioned in point 2 in positions corresponding to the nature of duties of the vacant post. Out of these twelve (12) years, at least two (2) years must have been acquired as a manager.
In case you do not fulfil all the eligibility criteria, your application will not be taken into consideration.
II. Selection criteria
The following competencies will be assessed throughout the different phases of the selection procedure. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate effective communication in both spoken and written English as well as strong motivation for the position.
1. Technical competencies
i. Experience of at least five (5) years in leading, coaching, motivating teams and driving high performance (as Head of Unit, Head of Sector, Team Leader or equivalent);
ii. Experience in managing and coordinating scientific activities in one or more of the areas under the responsibility of the BIOHAW Unit;
iii. Experience in translating organisational strategies into actionable roadmaps and objectives, ensuring their successful implementation;
iv. Experience in facilitating partnerships and scientific cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders;
v. Knowledge of the EU regulatory framework in the area of food and/or feed safety is considered an asset.
2. Behavioural competencies
i. Deal with ambiguity: Able to work constructively within unexpected and unpredictable situations and show resilience and composure, even in difficult or adverse circumstances; able to decide and act without having the total picture; accept constructive feedback in a positive manner;
ii. Demonstrate political savvy and strategic agility: Look beyond the current situation and visualise what the future can bring with a keen sense for arising opportunities and good understanding of how and when to best pursue them; able to think in a creative and innovative way; negotiate well with those inside or outside the organisation; possess strong business acumen;
iii. Focus on stakeholder needs: Committed to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; establish and maintain effective partnering relationships with stakeholders and gain their trust and respect;
iv. Plan and measure for results: Set ambitious goals that exceed the targets and create plans to achieve them; ensure an efficient and responsible planning and management of resources; coordinate multiple activities to achieve goals;
v. Work with others: Work confidently within a group and contribute to achieve the common goals, understanding own role and how it supports the team and the organisation; able to network, cooperate, listen actively, manage conflicts and motivate colleagues;
vi. Lead and develop a team: Lead, supervise and develop a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and considering the foreseen resources; inspire and motivate team members to achieve high performance and drive engagement.
NOTE
The purpose of this call is to establish a talent pool (reserve list) that may be used for the recruitment of staff when a position becomes available and will be valid until 31/12/2023. The validity of the talent pool may be extended.
This vacancy is published as well internally at the grade bracket AD 9 – AD 14.
[1] Before appointment, a successful candidate shall be medically examined by an institution’s medical officer in order that the European Food Safety Authority may be satisfied that he/she fulfils the requirement of article 28(e) of the Staff Regulations of the Officials of the European Communities.
[2] Any academic qualification mentioned in the application form shall be duly supported by evidence (original or certified copies of e.g. diplomas, certification, etc.) Only qualifications issued by EU Member State authorities and qualifications recognised as equivalent by the relevant EU Member State authorities will be accepted. In instances where diplomas are obtained from a non-EU Member State, EFSA may request the candidate to provide a relevant document of comparability issued by a recognised authority.
[3] Any professional experience mentioned in the application form shall be duly supported by evidence (original or certified copies of e.g. contracts, payslips etc.). Professional experience shall be taken into account from the date on which the person fulfils the minimum qualifications for engagement. In order for your professional experience to be taken into consideration, it must be supported by relevant documents attesting an actual work relationship defined by the following elements: real, genuine work; on a paid basis; as employee (any type of contract), or provider of a service. Any given period may be counted only once (in order to be calculated as eligible, years of studies or professional experience to be taken into account shall not overlap with other periods of studies or professional experience). Professional activities pursued part-time will be calculated pro-rata on the basis of the certified percentage of full-time hours worked. Remunerated PhDs acquired in a field relevant to the job description can be counted as professional experience up to 3 years. Paid traineeships are counted as working experience. Prior to contract signature, the successful candidate(s) will need to provide original versions of documents proving the candidate’s work experience.
Source URL: https://careers.efsa.europa.eu/jobs/head-of-unit-biological-hazards-animal-health-and-welfare-290