Vacancy for the Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (Temporary Agent – Grade AD 14) – COM/2023/20090
Date: 2023-02-03
Institutions: Directorate-General for Human Resources and Security, European Commission
Subjects: European Aviation Safety Agency, administrator, competition (EU), job vacancy, managing director, recruitment, servant (EU)








CA2023041EN.01000101.xml










3.2.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


CA 41/1






Vacancy for the Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
(Temporary Agent – Grade AD 14)
COM/2023/20090
(2023/C 41 A/01)
 

We are

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was established in 2002 for the purpose of ensuring a high uniform level of civil aviation safety and environmental protection of aeronautical products, parts and appliances, as well as personnel and organisations, within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1). The Agency is an institutional corner stone of the Union’s civil aviation oversight system. It is entrusted with important responsibilities and works in close cooperation with the European Commission and Member States. The Agency also provides the Commission with technical expertise in areas under its responsibility. In its fields of competence, the Agency, on behalf of Member States, will carry out functions and tasks ascribed to them by applicable international conventions, in particular the Chicago Convention.
EASA is based in Cologne, Germany. In 2022, the Agency has a total budget of EUR 205 million and some 800 staff.
For further information please consult the following website: http://www.easa.europa.eu

We propose

The Executive Director is the legal representative and public face of the Agency and is accountable to the Management Board.
The Executive Director will lead and manage the Agency and take overall responsibility for its operations ensuring the achievement of the Agency’s objectives.
The Executive Director’s specific responsibilities will include:






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Achieving the Agency’s objectives established by the Management Board of the Agency,










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Preparing and executing the annual and multiannual work programmes, in cooperation with the European Commission, with due consideration for the need to set priorities and resource management,










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Preparing and executing the Agency’s budget in cooperation with the European Commission,










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Establishing and facilitating close working relationships and cooperation with the European Commission, Member States, third countries and stakeholders, as appropriate, in accordance with the Agency’s tasks,










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Working in close partnership with the Member States’ competent authorities responsible for the implementation of the EU aviation transport policy,










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Responding to any requests for assistance from the European Commission or from the Member States in accordance with the Agency’s tasks,










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Approving and enacting Agency measures relative to the tasks and responsibilities of the Agency, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (e.g. Airworthiness and Environmental Certification, Standardisation Inspections, Air Operations, Personnel Licensing, Aerodromes, Air Traffic Management/Air Navigation Services, Air Traffic Controllers, Unmanned Aircraft, Third Country Operators, Research and Innovation, Environmental Protection, International Cooperation, Aviation Crisis Management, Interdependencies between Civil Aviation Safety and Security, and between Civil Aviation Safety and Socioeconomic Factors),










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Preparing the annual report on the Agency’s activities,










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Carrying out the day-to-day management of the Agency. Recruiting and evaluating the Agency’s staff, in compliance with the EU Staff Regulations, while fostering a good team spirit and positive working environment,










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Communicating directly and indirectly with the public on all matters within the Agency’s mission.




A more detailed description of the tasks can be found in Article 104 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.

We look for (selection criteria)

The candidates should have:

Managerial skills







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Ability to lead and motivate large teams.










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Ability to manage and maintain close relations with EU institutions and with Member States’ competent authorities.










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Experience in budgetary, financial and human resources management in a national, European or international context.










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Managerial experience gained in a multicultural and multilingual environment would be an advantage.





Specialist skills and experience







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Sound knowledge of European and international aviation transport policy and legislation.










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Very good understanding of the institutions of the European Union and how they operate and interact.










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Experience in the area of aviation safety and a technical background would be an asset.










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Experience acquired in a national, European or international public administration would also be an advantage.





Personal qualities







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Ability to communicate effectively in a transparent and open manner with internal and external stakeholders, including press, the public, European, international, national and local authorities, international organisations, as well as to represent the Agency in external fora.










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Solid experience of negotiating in an international environment.










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Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain appropriate relations with EU institutions and with Member States’ competent authorities to ensure the proper functioning of the Agency.





Candidates must (eligibility requirements)

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: candidates must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union.










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University degree or diploma: candidates must have either:






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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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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: candidates must have at least 15 years’ postgraduate professional experience (2) at a level to which the qualifications referred to above give admission. At least 5 years of that professional experience must be in the area of the activities of the Agency.










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Management experience: at least 5 years of the postgraduate professional experience must have been gained in a high–level management function (3) in a field relevant for this position.










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Languages: candidates must have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union and a satisfactory knowledge of another of these official languages. Selection panels will verify during the interview(s) whether candidates comply with the requirement of a satisfactory knowledge of another official EU language. This may include (part of) the interview being conducted in this other language.










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Age limit: candidates must be able to complete, at the deadline for application, the full mandate of 5 years before reaching the retirement age. For temporary staff of the European Union, the retirement age is defined as being the end of the month in which the person reaches the age of 66 years (see Article 47 of the Conditions of Employment of other Servants of the European Union).





Selection and appointment

The Executive Director will be appointed by the Management Board of EASA on the basis of a shortlist provided by the European Commission.
To establish this shortlist, the European Commission organises a selection in accordance with its selection and recruitment procedures (see the Document on Senior Officials Policy (4)).
As part of this selection procedure, the European Commission sets up a preselection panel. This panel analyses all applications, proceeds with a first eligibility verification and identifies candidates having the best profile in view of the selection criteria mentioned above, and who may be invited for an interview with the preselection panel.
Following these interviews, the preselection panel draws up its conclusions and proposes a list of candidates for further interviews with the European Commission’s Consultative Committee on Appointments (CCA). The CCA, taking into consideration the conclusions of the preselection panel, will decide on the candidates to be invited for an interview.
Candidates who are called for an interview with the CCA participate in a full-day management assessment centre run by external recruitment consultants. Taking account of the results of the interview and the report of the assessment centre, the CCA establishes a shortlist of candidates it considers suitable to exercise the function of Executive Director of EASA.
Candidates on the CCA shortlist will be interviewed by the Member(s) of the Commission responsible for the Directorate-General in charge of the relations with the Agency (5).
Following these interviews, the European Commission adopts a shortlist of the most suitable candidates, which will be communicated to the Management Board of EASA. The latter may decide to interview the candidates before appointing the Executive Director from among the candidates on the Commission shortlist. Inclusion on this shortlist does not guarantee appointment.
Candidates may be required to undergo further interviews and/or tests in addition to those indicated above. They could also be required to deliver a statement before the relevant committee(s) of the European Parliament.

Diversity and inclusion

The Agency recognises that a healthy work-life balance is an important motivational factor for many people and that flexible working is increasingly expected to be part of a modern working environment. As an EASA employee, you will be making a difference to the lives of about 500 million fellow Europeans: this is our shared purpose and it could be yours, too. From our headquarters in Cologne, Germany, you will work with top experts in a multicultural work environment. Diversity and inclusion are part of our DNA and innovation is at the heart of what we do. Our employees are our most valuable asset. We therefore offer a wide range of benefits, including agreements with schools & kindergartens in the Cologne area. More details are available on the EASA website (https://www.easa.europa.eu/the-agency/careers/working-us). As an employer, the Agency is committed to ensuring gender equality and to preventing discrimination on any grounds. It actively welcomes applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds, across all abilities and from the broadest possible geographical basis amongst the EU Member States. To promote gender equality, the Agency encourages applications that could contribute towards more diversity, gender equality and overall geographical balance, in particular from women. Assistance can be provided to persons with disabilities during the recruitment procedure.

Conditions of employment

The salaries and conditions of employment are laid down in the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.
The successful candidate will be engaged by the Agency as a Temporary Agent at grade AD 14 (6)). She/he will be classified depending on the length of his/her previous professional experience in step 1 or step 2 within that grade.
She/he will be appointed for an initial mandate of 5 years, with a possible prolongation for a maximum 5 years according to Regulation establishing the Agency as applicable at the time of appointment.
Applicants should note the requirement under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union for all new staff to complete successfully a 9-month probationary period.
The place of employment is Cologne, Germany.
The post is available from 1 September 2023.

Important information for candidates

Candidates are reminded that the work of the selection panels is confidential. It is forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with their individual members or for anybody to do so on their behalf. Any query has to be addressed to the secretariat of the respective panel.

Protection of personal data

The Commission will ensure that candidates’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7). This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.

Independence and declaration of interests

Before taking up his/her duties, the Executive Director will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to declare any interests, which might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

Application procedure

Before submitting your application, you should carefully check whether you meet all eligibility requirements (‘Candidates must’), particularly concerning the types of diploma, high-level professional experience as well as linguistic capacity required. Failure to meet any of the eligibility requirements means an automatic exclusion from the selection procedure.
If you want to apply, you must register via the internet on the following website and follow the instructions concerning the various stages of the procedure:
https://ec.europa.eu/dgs/human-resources/seniormanagementvacancies/
You must have a valid email address. This will be used to confirm your registration as well as to remain in contact with you during the different stages of the procedure. Therefore, please keep the European Commission informed about any change in your email address.
To complete your application, you need to upload a CV in PDF format, preferably using the Europass CV format (8), and to fill out, online, a letter of motivation (maximum 8 000 characters). Your CV and your letter of motivation may be submitted in any of the official languages of the European Union.
It is in your interest to ensure that your application is accurate, thorough and truthful.
Once you have finished your online registration, you will receive an electronic mail confirming that your application has been registered. If you do not receive a confirmation mail, your application has not been registered!

Please note that it is not possible to monitor the progress of your application online. You will be contacted directly by the European Commission regarding the status of your application.

Applications sent by email will not be accepted. If you require more information and/or encounter technical problems, please send an email to: HR-MANAGEMENT-ONLINE@ec.europa.eu
It is your responsibility to complete your online registration in time. We strongly advise you not to wait until the last few days before applying, since heavy internet traffic or a fault with your internet connection could lead to the online registration being terminated before you complete it, thereby obliging you to repeat the whole process. Once the deadline for the submission of registrations has passed, you will no longer be able to introduce any data. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Closing date

The closing date for registration is 3 March 2023, 12:00 noon Brussels time, following which registration is no longer possible.


(1)  Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and amending Regulations (EC) No 2111/2005, (EC) No 1008/2008, (EU) No 996/2010, (EU) No 376/2014 and Directives 2014/30/EU and 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 552/2004 and (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 (OJ L 212, 22.8.2018, p. 1).

(2)  Professional experience is only taken into consideration if it represents an actual work relationship defined as real, genuine work, on a paid basis and as employee (any type of contract) or provider of a service. Professional activities pursued part-time shall be calculated pro rata, on the basis of the certified percentage of full-time hours worked. Maternity leave/parental leave/leave for adoption is taken into consideration if it is in the framework of a work contract. PhDs are assimilated to professional experience, even when unpaid, but for a duration of 3 years maximum, provided that the PhD has been successfully completed. A given period may be counted only once.

(3)  In their curriculum vitae, candidates should clearly indicate for all years during which management experience has been acquired: (1) title and role of management positions held; (2) numbers of staff overseen in these positions; (3) the size of budgets managed; (4) numbers of hierarchical layers above and below; and (5) number of peers.

(4)  https://commission.europa.eu/jobs-european-commission/job-opportunities/managers-european-commission_en (only exists in English)

(5)  Unless the Member of the Commission concerned, in line with the Commission Decision of 5 December 2007 (PV(2007) 1811) and 30 September 2020 (PV(2020) 2351), has delegated this task.

(6)  The correction coefficient applicable to the remuneration and pensions of officials and other servants of the European Union for Germany is set at 100,1 % as from 1 January 2022. This coefficient is subject to an annual revision.

(7)  Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).

(8)  You can find information on how to create your Europass CV online at: https://europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv