Programme Officer
EFSA/X/AD/2023/03
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy
is looking for a
Programme Officer
(Temporary Agent, Grade AD6)
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 31/12/2024. The validity of the talent pool may be extended.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?
Are you passionate about helping programmes and projects reach successful goals by following structured methodologies and best practices?
Do you desire to support an EFSA Programme Manager keep the projects aligned on achieving strategic goals and reaping organizational benefits?
The successful candidate is experienced in applying skills and methodologies to support the coordination of activities, budgets, risks, issues, changes, and all other aspects of programme and project management.
The successful candidate will further support the establishment and nurture of long–term, trustful relationships with programme and project stakeholders, project teams, and executives.
The jobholder will work in the Transformation Services Unit of the Enable Department that delivers services enabling, supporting, and guiding the risk assessment production work, promoting integration and synergies between the sectoral areas, and ensuring the quality and efficiency of the scientific process.
Your key responsibilities
- Support the development of the programme and project plans;
- Analyse dependencies between projects and moderate the optimization and alignment of schedules and resource assignments between them;
- Assist in the definition and maintenance of the governance structures of programmes and projects;
- Contribute to programme and project documentation following a standardized project methodology;
- Help ensuring the compliance to the programme and project methodology and to EFSA’s policies and procedures;
- Monitor and report on programme and project financials and on human resources;
- Collaborate and partner with stakeholders.
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.
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.
You will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are implementing the EFSA Strategy 2027, aligned with the Transparency Regulation, which increased EFSA’s responsibilities towards EU citizens. The following are the objectives of the Strategy 2027.
1. Deliver trustworthy scientific advice and communication of risks from farm to fork.
2. Ensure preparedness for future risk analysis needs.
3. Empower people and ensure organisational agility.
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 basic salary of Temporary Agent Grade AD6 starts fom € 6.066 monthly, subject to an annual review of remuneration provided for in Article 64 and 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.
- 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 three (3) years attested by a university diploma.[2]
3. Experience
In addition to the above, at least three (3) years of relevant and proven professional experience gained after obtaining the diploma.[3]
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. At least 3 years of professional experience in programme/project management support;
ii. At least one year of professional experience gained in a regulated environment (e.g. public, governmental organisation, EU bodies);
iii. Proven experience in developing communication or presentation material and facilitating interactions with stakeholders;
iv. Proven professional experience in applying programme and/or project management methodologies, including typical lifecycles, processes, artefacts, and organizational structures. An internationally accredited Project Management Certification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, PMI-PMP, PM2) will be considered an asset;
v. Proven professional experience in the use of Office productivity software in the remit of programme and project environments (e.g. MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint) and in using project scheduling software (e.g. MS Project, Oracle Primavera);
vi. Proven professional experience as Programme Manager will be 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;
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. 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;
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 cooperate, listen actively, manage conflicts and motivate colleagues.
NOTE
This vacancy is published as well internally at the grade bracket AD5 – AD7.
[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 the candidate 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. 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 copies of documents proving the candidate’s work experience.
Source URL: https://careers.efsa.europa.eu/jobs/programme-officer-341