Head of Section Human Resources / Deputy Head of Unit Resource Management Services

Is this job for you?  

Are you an experienced HR manager with a positive, supportive, and constructive attitude, a talent in leading people, experienced in collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, managing financial and human resources and able to work comfortably with rules and procedures? You would like to lead the Human Resources team of a multicultural and highly professional work force by providing high quality services based on competent advice and communication with the ECDC’s staff and management? 

What will you do? 

You will work in the Human Resources Section in the Resource Management Services (RMS) unit and be the deputy of the Head of Unit. To find out more about what the unit does, visit https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/about-us/ecdcs-organisational-structure.

Reporting to the Head of Unit RMS, you will be part of the unit management team and lead the Human Resources team of 15 people.

In this position, you will have a wide variety of tasks that will give you the opportunity to:

• Plan, organise and manage the Human Resources Management (HRM) activities of the Centre, ensuring the optimum deployment of resources and sound financial management; 
• Line manage staff within the Section, and manage the preparation and implementation of the Section´s annual and multiannual work plan and budget in conformity with the ECDC strategy and goals; 
• Act as deputy Head of Unit and contribute to the coordination of the Unit’s work, its strategy development and implementation (including collaboration, process review and reengineering, quality management); 
• Provide senior leadership on HRM matters to the Centre, including guidance, strategic advice and support to management (e.g. the Director, Heads of Unit, and the Management Board) and staff; 
• Develop, implement and manage HRM strategies, policies, processes and procedures and ensure compliance with the EU legal framework and promote innovative approaches in the following areas: recruitment and selection; performance management; learning and development; staff wellbeing; diversity and inclusion; administration of payroll and individual entitlements; working conditions, conditions of service and personnel administration; 
• Define the needs and oversee the development of the Section’s IT systems, aligning with the Centre’s overall strategy for integrated steering and support systems and taking into account the European Commission HR Digital Strategy; 
• Develop the Section’s management reporting, providing analysis for decision making based on data analytics to a wide audience (e.g., the Director, Heads of Unit, Management Board); 
• Liaise with the Staff Committee and facilitate social dialogue on HRM and staff matters; 
• Promote a positive, proactive, respectful and healthy working atmosphere at ECDC, ensuring a culture of excellence, diversity and empowerment for staff; 
• Perform other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned, and contribute to other activities of ECDC, as required, in his/her field of expertise.   

What are we looking for?

Formal requirements

For your application to be considered eligible you must fulfil all the following requirements by the application deadline:

• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 4 years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least 1 year when the normal period of university education is at least 3 years[1];
• At least 12 years of professional experience (following the award of the diploma) [2]
• Thorough knowledge of one of the official EU languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another official EU language to the extent necessary for the performance of your duties[3];
• Nationality of one of the EU Member States or of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and to be entitled to your full rights as a citizen;
• To have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service;
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved[4]; and
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.

You will need to provide appropriate documents to show that you meet all of the above criteria.

Selection criteria

For your application to be evaluated further, you will also need:

• At least 10 years of professional experience (following the award of the diploma), in human resources management acquired in positions relevant to the job description, preferably in a multicultural context;
• Proven experience in providing advisory functions to senior management; 
• Proven experience in defining and implementing Human Resources strategies and policies as well as interpreting and applying employment law, rules and regulations; 
• Proven experience in financial management, control, and supervision of budget execution of staff related expenditure; 
• At least five years of line management responsibilities including the ability to develop good working relations/networks, lead and motivate staff and enhance work performance; 
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Additionally, we will assess the following competencies:

• Excellent managerial skills, including coaching and managing performance; 
• Excellent service orientation, communication, negotiation and conflict management skills;
• High level of integrity, discretion and confidentiality; 
• High level of resilience in challenging situations and able to quickly adapt to uncertainties and changes; 
• Strategic vision and ability to communicate this vision; 
• Strong organisational skills, a structured approach to tasks and capability to prioritise and demonstrated decision making ability.

Depending on the number of applications received, the selection committee may apply stricter requirements within the aforementioned selection criteria.

Why ECDC?

You will play an active role in making a tangible difference in public health. 

At ECDC you will join a team of more than 400 colleagues with diverse backgrounds and professions who work together for the common goal of helping countries to prevent and respond to outbreaks and public health threats. Every position at ECDC plays an important part, and we cooperate closely for our collective goals. 

ECDC is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates without any distinction on grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic or social origin, religion, or belief. Women are currently under-represented in management functions and to achieve a better gender balance, we strongly encourage women to apply for this vacancy.

As an ECDC staff member, you will have the chance to on or support initiatives impacting the health and well-being of people in Europe. 

You will be joining ECDC at interesting times. In October 2022, the European Parliament endorsed an extended mandate that will allow ECDC to adopt a stronger role in supporting EU Member States in the prevention and control of infectious disease threats and improve European preparedness and response. This includes real-time surveillance systems, mobilising an EU Health Task Force to assist local responses in Member States and building a network of EU reference laboratories. 

What can we offer you

We offer a competitive salary and a range of benefits, including flexible work arrangements such as teleworking and flexible working hours, health insurance and learning opportunities. 

Depending on your experience, the monthly basic salary usually starts at 10 518.29 € and is supplemented by various allowances, including as applicable expatriation and/or generous family allowances. Salary is exempt from national tax, instead an Agency tax is deducted. We also provide financial support when relocating to Stockholm. 

Our benefits package is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment that values the well-being of our employees. 

Learn more about the benefits of joining ECDC here: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/about-ecdc/work-ecdc/staff-positions/what-we-offer 

How does our selection process work?

Our selection process takes, on average, three months from the application deadline. All selection processes include a remote written test and a video conference interview; some selection processes may include additional steps.

After a candidate has been selected for the position, additional shortlisted candidates can be placed on a reserve list. The reserve list may be used when ECDC needs to fill similar positions at the same level in the future. The reserve list is valid until 31 December 2025 and may be extended.

Visit https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/about-us/work-with-us/internal-procedure-recruitment-selection for an overview of the different steps in the selection process and see the ECDC-candidate-guide.pdf (europa.eu) for a detailed explanation of the selection and recruitment process. 

When starting a new contract under the EU staff regulations, all new staff must successfully complete a probationary period of nine months.

How do you apply?

To apply for this vacancy, please create/ log in to your ECDC e-recruitment user account.

See detailed instructions on how to apply here: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Candidate-E-recruitment-user-guide.pdf

Please submit your application well ahead of the deadline in case of technical issues and/or heavy traffic on the website. After submitting your application, you will receive an automatic email message confirming receipt of your application. Ensure that the email address you provide for your applicant account is correct and that you check your email regularly.

ECDC does not accept applications submitted after the deadline or applications submitted by email, mail or any other means.

Translations of this vacancy notice in all EU languages can be obtained by using the automatic translation function on this website.

Note: 

While this vacancy notice can be translated into all official EU languages from its English original, the language of day-to-day operations in the Agency is generally English. ECDC therefore prefers to receive the application in English.

Disclaimer: Please note that in the event of any differences in meaning or interpretation between the original English version of this content and a translation, the original English version takes precedence

We welcome your application!