Notice of vacancy for a Deputy Director (AD 12) (m/f) (Cedefop/2013/03/AD)
Date: 2013-12-11
Institutions: Cedefop
Subjects: Cedefop, administrator, job vacancy, servant (EU)








CA2013361EN.01000101.xml










11.12.2013   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


CA 361/1






NOTICE OF VACANCY FOR A DEPUTY DIRECTOR (AD 12) (M/F)

(Cedefop/2013/03/AD)
(2013/C 361 A/01)

The Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) invites applications for the post of Deputy Director (initial contract duration: 5 years).

I.   The employer
Cedefop is the European Agency for promoting the development of vocational education and training (VET) in the European Union. It provides policy analysis and research and supports European VET policy development and implementation and is a recognised partner in the policy and scientific debates on VET.
Cedefop provides advice, research, analysis and information, and European cooperation and mutual learning. It supports the development of VET and evidence-based policy-making in areas such as, for example, implementation of the European tools and monitoring of the ‘Copenhagen process’, anticipation of skill needs, improving understanding about qualifications and skills to support mobility across borders and investing in VET.
Cedefop has a Governing Board in which national governments of EU Member States, employers, employees and the European Commission are represented. Cedefop works closely with the Commission, governments, representatives of employers and trade unions, as well as with researchers and practitioners. It provides them with up-to-date information and analysis on developments, experience and innovation in VET and forums for policy debate.
Cedefop was founded in 1975 and since 1995 located in Thessaloniki, Greece. It has approximately 130 staff and a budget of EUR 17 400 000. Cedefop's working language is English.
For more information on the Agency, see http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/
II.   Job profile
The Deputy Director supports the Director in managing the tasks laid down in the Founding Regulation, especially Articles 2, 3 and 7.
The Deputy Director reports directly to the Director.
He or she replaces the Director during the latter's absence.
He/she shall assist the Director in:






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directing and managing Cedefop and implementing the decisions of the Governing Board;










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developing and implementing the strategy and work programme (1) of Cedefop in line with Cedefop's mission and the decisions of the Governing Board;










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preparing the activities of the Governing Board and accounting to the Governing Board for the running of Cedefop;










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ensuring the quality of Cedefop's work and the development of its reputation as an acknowledged leader in its field of expertise;










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the preparation and implementation of the budget as well as sound financial management and internal control (2);










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preparing the Annual Reports on the Agency's activities;










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the day-to-day management of the Centre and of all staff matters, including recruitment, supervision and development of staff and fostering a good team spirit and working environment;










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ensuring the effective representation and public relations of Cedefop at senior level in its dealings with the European institutions and bodies throughout the European Union, including representation of Cedefop at conferences, seminars and media events;










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facilitating cooperation between the Agency, the Commission and the Member States and stakeholders of the Agency to promote VET;










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cooperating with competent bodies in the Member States carrying out similar tasks to those of the Agency.




The Deputy Director also directly manages staff, services, activities and specific issues as delegated by the Director and as laid down in his/her (annual) objectives.
III.   Eligibility criteria
Candidates will be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following formal criteria to be fulfilled by the deadline for applications:






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Nationality: be a national of a Member State of the European Union;










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University degree or diploma:







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have 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










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have 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 (this 1 year's professional experience cannot be included in the postgraduate professional experience required below);














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Professional experience: at least 15 years' full-time equivalent postgraduate level professional experience acquired after having obtained the undergraduate university degree;










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Management experience: at least 5 years of management experience, including management of human and financial resources;










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Languages: have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union and a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the European Union (3).




The applicant also has to






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be able to produce character references as to suitability for performance of the duties of the post;










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be physically fit to perform the duties relating to the post (4);










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be able to carry out the entire 5-year mandate before reaching retirement age (maximum end of month in which the candidate reaches 66 years of age (5)).




Independence and declaration of interests
The Deputy Director will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make a declaration in respect of any interests which might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence. Applicants must confirm their willingness to do so in their application.
IV.   Selection criteria
Candidates should have:






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management and leadership skills including experience in managing budgetary, financial and human resources;










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a thorough understanding of the EU policy in VET and related fields (employment), EU institutions and how they operate and interact;










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proven skills in managing applied research and policy relevant projects and in organising and managing transnational activities and networks;










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very good presentation skills and the ability to interact and negotiate at senior management level with representatives of the European institutions, national governments, the social partners, etc.;










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very good written and oral communication skills. A good command of English is required, as it is the working language of Cedefop.




The following criteria will be considered as additional assets:






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knowledge of the legal framework (staff regulations, financial rules) under which Cedefop operates;










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relevant professional experience in the field of vocational education and training;










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management experience in an international/European context;










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a good knowledge of other languages of the European Union.




V.   Selection and appointment
The selection process will be based on an examination of the application forms followed by a series of interviews and tests, as outlined below:






1.


A Pre-selection Committee, assisted by an external consultant, will examine the applications and draw up a draft list of best-qualified candidates who fulfil all eligibility criteria (section III) and most closely meet the selection criteria (section IV) for the post.










2.


The best-qualified candidates will be invited for an interview, which may be conducted by telephone and testing by external consultants on behalf of the Pre-selection Committee. Based on the results of these interviews and tests, the Pre-selection Committee will draw up a list of the most suitable candidates. These most suitable candidates will be invited to an interview with the Pre-selection Committee which will establish a shortlist of candidates. Candidates will be tested on their proficiency in some or all of the languages listed in their application.










3.


The shortlist will be submitted to Cedefop's Governing Board for decision. The successful candidate will be expected to take up the post within 3 months of appointment.





NB: Candidates may be requested to attend an assessment centre.
Equal opportunities
Cedefop applies a policy of equal opportunities and takes care to avoid any form of discrimination.
VI.   Conditions of employment
The Deputy Director will be appointed as a temporary agent at AD 12 grade (6) pursuant to Article 2f of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (7), for a period of 5 years. The term of office may be renewed once.
The Deputy Director will have a probationary period of 9 months (7).
Place of employment
The place of employment is Thessaloniki, Greece.
Remuneration
Remuneration will be based on the European Union scale of salaries. Pay is subject to Union tax and other deductions laid down in the Staff Regulations. It is, however, exempt from any national taxation.
For any further information on the contractual and working conditions please refer to the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants, which is accessible at the following address:
http://ec.europa.eu/civil_service/docs/toc100_en.pdf
VII.   Application procedure and closing date
For applications to be valid, candidates must submit:






1.


a letter of motivation;










2.


a curriculum vitae (CV), preferably drafted using the Europass CV format (8). Applicants are explicitly requested to give an account of the experience and expertise relevant to the job as well as details on the size — number of staff — budget and nature of the departments they have previously managed;










3.


a completed and signed application form. Candidates must use the official application form associated with this vacancy notice on Cedefop's website at www.cedefop.europa.eu. The application form should be completed in English.




Supporting documents (e.g. certified copies of degrees/diplomas, references, proof of experience, etc.) should not be sent at this point but must be submitted at a later stage of the procedure if requested.
Applications, preferably in English, French or German, must clearly quote on the envelope the vacancy reference number: Cedefop/2013/03/AD.

Applications that are incomplete will be rejected.

The application must be sent to the postal address below, by registered post, by 5 February 2014 at 23:59 Central European Time (date of post registration) at the latest.





For the attention of:




The Chairman of the Governing Board of Cedefop




Ref.: Cedefop/2013/03/AD




Cedefop




P.O. Box 22427




551 02 Finikas (Thessaloniki)




Greece




Candidates must be able to produce proof of registration if requested.
Applications sent by door-to-door courier service must be sent to the address below, the latest by 5 February 2014 and the sending date must be clearly identified on the envelope.





For the attention of:




The Chairman of the Governing Board of Cedefop




Ref.: Cedefop/2013/03/AD




Cedefop




Europe 123




570 01 Pylea (Thessaloniki)




Greece





Applications should

also

be submitted in electronic (Word or pdf) format to the following e-mail address: HR_Deputy_Director@cedefop.europa.eu by 23:59 Central European Time on 5 February 2014 at the latest.

Applications delivered only via e-mail will not be accepted.

In order to facilitate the selection process, all communication with applicants concerning this vacancy will be in English.
Important information for candidates






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Applicants are asked to report any change of address, phone number or e-mail in writing without delay to the Secretary of the Competition: Ms Ginette Manderscheid, Head of Human Resources, Cedefop, e-mail: HR_Deputy_Director@cedefop.europa.eu










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In preparing their applications, candidates may in no event refer to documents, applications or other forms submitted in connection with previous applications.










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Candidates who are invited for an interview will be required to produce copies of their diplomas, academic qualifications and employment certificates, with proof of nationality and a recent passport-type photo.










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Supporting documents will not be returned to candidates.










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Please ensure that the e-mail address provided on your application is correct (and that your mailbox is not full), as most correspondence will be by e-mail.




Candidates are reminded that the selection procedures and deliberations are confidential. It is forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with any individuals involved in the selection process or for anybody to do so on their behalf. All enquiries or requests for information or documentation in relation to the competition should be addressed to the Secretary of the competition: Ms Ginette Manderscheid (HR_Deputy_Director@cedefop.europa.eu).
VIII.   Protection of personal data
The Commission and Cedefop will ensure that candidates' personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (9). Should the candidate have any queries concerning the processing of his/her personal data, he/she shall address them to the Data Protection Officer, Cedefop.
IX.   Appeal procedures
If a candidate considers that he/she has been adversely affected by a particular decision, he/she can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants, at the following address:





Head of Human Resources




Cedefop




P.O. Box 22427




551 02 Finikas (Thessaloniki)




Greece




The complaint must be lodged within 3 months after the candidate has been informed of the final outcome of the procedure.
Candidates also have the possibility to complain to the European Ombudsman. Please note that complaints made to the Ombudsman have no suspensive effect on the time-period laid down in Article 91 of the Staff Regulations.

In case of discrepancies between the language versions of the vacancy notice, the English language version prevails.



(1)  This includes the medium-term priorities (http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/publications/18538.aspx) as well as the annual work programme (http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/about-cedefop/governance/work-programme.aspx).

(2)  These tasks are described more in detail in Cedefop's financial rules (www.cedefop.europa.eu), in Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, in Council Regulation (EC) No 58/2003 and in Council Regulation (EC) No 1655/2003.

(3)  Satisfactory knowledge is considered level B2 or above as referenced in the Common European Framework of Reference (http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european-language-levels-cefr). Knowledge of a third Union language is necessary for the first promotion after recruitment.

(4)  Before appointment, the successful candidate must undergo a medical examination to establish that he/she is physically fit to perform the duties of the post.

(5)  The Staff Regulations expected to enter into force on 1 January 2014 foresee a mandatory retirement age of 66.

(6)  At present, the basic monthly salary for grade AD 12 (Step 1) is EUR 10 324,20.

(7)  Revised Staff Regulations and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants will enter into force on 1 January 2014 and will provide the basis for employment.

(8)  The Europass CV can be downloaded from the website: https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/

(9)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.