Team Leader Scientific Coordination
EFSA/X/AD/2022/05
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy
is looking for a
Team Leader Scientific Coordination
(Temporary Agent, Grade AD7)
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.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?
This call aims to establish a talent pool of Team Leaders for the Scientific Coordination Team of EFSA’s Pesticides Peer Review Unit (PREV).
Do you have the skills to be a strong and effective Team Leader?
Are you willing and able to take on the responsibility of leading a dedicated team towards continuous improvement and success?
We are looking for motivated professionals who have experience working in a regulatory scientific environment with strong coordination and people skills.
The PREV Unit is part of EFSA’s ASSESS Department, which produces advice, opinions, peer reviews, and technical reports to support EU decision makers in making science-based risk management decisions.
The PREV Unit is responsible for:
- The EU peer review of active substances used in plant protection products principally regulated by framework Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009;
- The coordination of the Governmental Experts Peer Review Meetings;
- The production of peer review conclusions on specific active substances;
- The development of scientific methods and guidance related to Plant Protection Products (PPP);
- The support to the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) and its Working Groups for guidance development and for input on specific questions related to EFSA’s work on PPP;
- The coordination of the Pesticide Steering Network to facilitate scientific cooperation with Member States and European Commission in the field of EFSA’s mission.
The PREV unit is composed by four teams:
- Scientific coordination;
- Mammalian toxicology;
- Physical-chemistry and environmental exposure;
- Ecotoxicology.
Your key responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of the Pesticides Peer Review Unit, you will:
- Ensure the successful planning, coordination, execution and reporting of the work programme of the Scientific Coordination Team of PREV in agreement and under the supervision of the Head of Unit;
- Lead by example and provide day-to-day coaching and leadership to Team members and, where needed, to other staff engaged in specified projects or activities;
- Coordinate the activities of your team: e.g. cascade and distribute information to your team members and stakeholders and ensure that your team members have a clear understanding of both their individual and team objectives, as well as their contribution to the implementation of the department workplans and EFSA strategy;
- Ensure that effective measures are in place to meet priorities and deadlines as well as to escalate risks. In addition, propose mitigating actions in line with EFSA’s quality standards;
- Drive innovation in the relevant area, understanding the impact of new developments in your field of expertise both in your team and at EFSA;
- Ensure continuous improvement through the identification and implementation of lean measures.
WHY EFSA?
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.
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.
Furthermore, you will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are implementing the Transparency Regulation: EFSA expanded its mandate and will grow considerably over the next few years.
To find out more about EFSA, visit us at www.efsa.europa.eu.
WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?
Life in Parma
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.
Salary and benefits
The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent Grade AD7 with the basic salary starting from € 6.414 monthly, subject to an annual review of remuneration provided for in Article 65(1) of the Staff Regulations.
In addition to the basic salary, EFSA offers a range of benefits:
- Various allowances to which the successful jobholder may be entitled, such as a household allowance, expatriation allowance (16% of basic salary), dependent child allowance and education allowance. The salary is subject to a Community tax deducted at source and staff members are exempt from national taxation.
- Wide range of leaves (e.g. annual leave, parental leave, public holidays) and flexible working hours. Besides working in EFSA’s modern headquarter located in the heart of Parma, staff members are also offered the possibility to telework up to 50% of working time.
- A comprehensive welfare package including pension scheme, medical, accident and occupational disease insurance coverage, unemployment and invalidity allowance, and travel insurance. Further information regarding rights, conditions of employment and benefits can be found at the following links:
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 level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma [2] .
OR
- A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and an appropriate professional experience of at least one (1) year when the normal period of university education is at least three (3) years.[2]
3. Experience
In addition to the above, at least six (6) years of proven professional experience[3] acquired after having obtained the qualifications mentioned in point 2.
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
- Proven professional experience working in the area of food safety and/or scientific risk assessment;
- Experience in successfully coordinating or leading teams and/or managing projects and/or reorganizational projects, translate project goals into clear objectives, planning and managing time and resources;
- Proven experience in managing and improving processes e.g. propose and implement process changes to facilitate improvements, analyse business requirements;
- Experience in collaborating and partnering with stakeholders: ability to identify and engage key internal and external stakeholders to develop a shared vision and mission with partners.
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;
iii. Focus on stakeholder needs: Committed to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and gain their trust and respect;
iv. 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 resources;
v. 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;
vi. 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 cooperate, listen actively, manage conflicts and motivate colleagues.
Selection Process
Eligible candidates will be assessed by the Selection Board against the selection criteria. (see annex to the Vacancy Notice) Shortlisted candidates shall take part in an assessment centre evaluating their behavioural and managerial capacity. The assessment centre is carried out by an external consultant. Successful candidates will be placed in the talent pool.
NOTE
The grade bracket for interagency mobility is AD5 – AD9 [4]
[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/team-leader-scientific-coordination-302