EEA/AD/2008/6

Reference no. EEA/AD/2008/6 – Project Manager – Biodiversity and Ecosystems – Temporary Agent (AD6)

Successful candidates will be motivated, strong professional team players, with excellent interpersonal skills, who can demonstrate experience and delivery in this demanding field, ability to innovate, and the potential to take on increasing responsibilities on a networking environment.

The job description and expertise profile described below have been formulated to attract candidates with a wide range of experience centred on the development of biodiversity and ecosystems assessments, connecting European perspectives with Sub-global and global developments, namely under the Biodiversity Communication and Action Plan and the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). Understanding and experience in assessing progress towards the 2010 Biodiversity target  and beyond, and on gathering evidence for a broader range of ecosystems assessments, encompassing diverse types of ecosystems is the cornerstone of the work to be developed.

Job description:

To support EEA’s major reporting tasks in the next EEA strategy 2009-2013 (e.g. EURECA 2012, 5-year state and outlook report 2010, Astana Report under the Environment for Europe process) through a number of biodiversity and ecosystems assessments harvesting from on-going indicators developments, research results on an European scale and connecting to global data facilities and networks, and writing parts of the assessment. Understanding of global processes namely the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) conceptual framework and respective follow-up and the ability to apply different methodologies in a state of the environment context will be the essential aspects of the position. Successful candidates are expected to integrate an in/house team and work with the procurement instruments already in place or to be launched (especially with the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity).

Functions and duties:

• To develop and coordinate cooperation with EIONET, European organisations and global partners that can contribute with data and information to EEA major reports and assessments planned to 2012 and beyond;
• To provide expertise to the EURECA project and respective working areas and ensuring working consistency across them, the various EEA Programmes and other external partners involved in the project. In this respect understanding the MA conceptual framework is expected;
• To participate in relevant working group meetings, both internal and external, and drafting of assessments in support of major reporting projects in the coming years. In this respect analytical capacity is expected, linking to developed ecological analysis (e.g. resilience), ecosystems accounting, economic valuation and scenarios;
• To this end to be able to give strong networking support, facilitate meetings, prepare reach out activities and events and prepare the respective materials;
• To develop and maintain cooperation with the MA follow-up process and within the framework of the proposed Inter-Governmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services;
• To review and discuss data and information requirements based on the EURECA assessment report and other requests from a biodiversity and ecosystems perspective focusing on linking SEBI2010 and other EEA indicators developments and outcomes  and other relevant indicator frameworks and assessment processes both internal and external to EEA relating science on the one hand and policy making on the other;
• To this end organise regular methodological and information exchanges, meetings and workshops, to exploit, in cooperation with others, relevant policy analyses and ecosystems assessments projects requiring and feeding EEA results and objectives.
  

ELIGIBILITY:

Formal requirements:

Candidates applying must satisfy the following general requirements on the closing date for the submission of applications:

• Citizenship of one of the Member Countries of the EEA (Member States of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey);
• Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligation imposed by law concerning military service;
• Meet the educational requirements as described under 'Eligibility';
• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the EEA Member Countries and a satisfactory knowledge of a second of these languages.

Education certificates and diplomas:

• A university degree relevant to the field concerned (e.g. environmental sciences, geography, ecology, biology, ecosystems assessments) ideally with an integrated  biodiversity and ecosystems focus

Range of professional experience and skills:

• A minimum of three years of professional experience in the area of nature and biodiversity information and ecosystems assessments including expertise on analysing biodiversity issues and the connected policies using recognised methodological frameworks.
• Excellent coordination, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; proven skills in communicating scientific knowledge to broader audiences.
• Proven experience in project management and working with multidisciplinary teams of experts across organisations and countries in the EU and beyond.
• A good knowledge of European governance related to environmental policies, particularly in the fields of nature protection, biodiversity and ecosystems assessments.
• Experience with documenting and peer-reviewing processes and publishing scientifically sound assessment reports related to the field.
• Proven ability to write assessments in English.
• Good knowledge of English would be an asset.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Interested candidates must apply by filling in the application form below. To the application form must be attached:

• The template CV below duly filled in, and

• A letter of motivation

Closing date for application: Wednesday 12 November 2008, at 12.00 (Central European Time)

Applications sent after this date will be rejected.

Please ensure that you observe the following:

1. Remember to take time zones into consideration when sending your application.
2. Include both a CV using the Europass template attached below and a letter of motivation.
3. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an automatic reply.
4. It is your responsibility to keep the automatic reply message as proof of submission of your application.
5. Should you not receive an automatic reply message, please submit your application again.

CONTRACTUAL CONDITIONS:

The successful candidate will be offered a Temporary Agent contract in accordance with the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities. The selected candidate will be employed for an initial time period of four years, renewable.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Eligibility of candidates will be assessed according to compliance with all formal requirements by the closing date for the submission of applications.

Eligible candidates whose application shows evidence of all required competences and skills may be invited for an interview, which will be held for the most part in English. Pre-selected candidates will be asked to undergo a written test in the area of expertise required for the post.

The list of suitable candidates is submitted to the Appointing Authority who decides on the appointment of the successful candidate and the establishment of a reserve list for the post advertised. Candidates shall note that inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. Recruitment will be based on availability of posts and budget.

The reserve list for this post will be valid until 31 December 2009 and may be extended at the discretion of the Appointing Authority.

Prior to contract signature, the successful candidate will be asked:

• to provide original or certified copies of all relevant documents proving his/her eligibility, including an extract from his/her police file,
• to undergo a compulsory medical examination to establish that he/she meets the standard of physical fitness necessary to perform the duties involved.
  

The Agency is an equal opportunities employer.

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION:

Any personal data provided by the User shall be processed pursuant to European Regulation related to personal data protection, in particular Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movements of such data. It shall be processed solely for the purposes of the performance, management and follow-up of information requested by the User. The User shall have the right of access to his personal data and the right to rectify any such data that is inaccurate or incomplete. Should the User have any queries concerning the processing of his personal data, he shall address them to the European Environment Agency.

REQUEST FOR REVIEW:

Candidates who have not been admitted to the selection procedure will be notified by letter. The candidate may ask to have her/his application reconsidered by sending a request for review to the Chairman of the Selection Committee at the address indicated on the letter within 21 calendar days from the date of the letter of notification.